The Rev. Anthony B. Thompson was married to the late Myra Singleton Quarles Thompson, and the former pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC.
What do you wish everyone knew about Myra? How have you sought to continue her legacy?
Myra was a precious and loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, counselor, and minister, sent by God into my life. A dedicated member of Mother Emanuel AME Church, she took on numerous roles, including Trustee Pro-Tempore, Co-Chairperson of the Gerald Holman unit, and PME Director for the Women’s Missionary Society, where she worked tirelessly for the Lord. Myra was also an active participant in various professional organizations, such as The Citadel Alumni Association, Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and volunteered with several local outreach programs, including the Low Country Orphan Relief Center and Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.
She never sought status, money, or fame; her achievements were always aimed at meeting the needs of our family, her students, the church, and the community. Myra believed in unity, looking beyond people’s faults to help them in positive ways. I honor her legacy by promoting forgiveness, which granted my family peace and encouraged inclusiveness in a city grappling with racism. This commitment led to the creation of the One New Humanity Charleston Foundation, dedicated to fostering forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation to break down the walls that divide us and unite all people as one family.
While being confronted with evil and immense loss, you have accomplished great feats, spreading the message of forgiveness and uplifting the community. Tell us about your personal journey of growth in the decade after June 17, 2015.
On the night of the tragedy, I lost Myra, my purpose in life, and felt completely shattered. I was ready to give up everything—my role as pastor at Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church and my mentorship for children and young adults. I didn’t want to hear from God; I just longed to be left alone. However, just 48 hours after the Emanuel tragedy, I attended Dylann Roof’s bond hearing and chose to forgive him. I said, “Son, I forgive you and my family forgives you. But we urge you to repent, confess, and give your life to Christ, the one who matters most, so He can change you.” After I forgave Dylann, I experienced a profound peace from God, realizing what it means when Scripture says, “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This divine peace lifted the burdens of bitterness, anger, hate, and sadness from my heart and soul, healing me from the inside out. Forgiving Dylann enabled me to move forward in my life, and after seven years, I learned to love again and remarried in October 2022. I want others to experience the same peace that God granted me, so they too can move on from their tragedies. To aid this journey, I wrote a book titled “Called To Forgive…” which explores the difference between secular and biblical forgiveness and illustrates how forgiveness can bring the “peace of God” that allows individuals to move forward in their lives.
What words of encouragement or advice would you give students who are faced with struggle and tough times?
Life is tough! Trials and tribulations will shake you like an earthquake. Storms will try to blow you away. Tragedies may bring tears to your eyes; and like a computer that crashed you may lose all hope. But JESUS said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If you give your life to JESUS! Believe, Trust and Obey HIS Word; come “Hell or High water” GOD will walk with you through your trials, storms and tragedies, and YOU SHALL Overcome!!!
What gives you hope for the future?
GOD gives me hope for the future. Although I gave up on GOD during that tragedy in my life, GOD never gave up on me. When I lost purpose, GOD gave me purpose. When I did not know what to do. GOD showed me what to do and helped me to do it. When I saw no hope, GOD “showed up and showed out.” Knowing that GOD is always with me and will never forsake me is the only assurance I need of HOPE for the future.