A Memphis preacher returned to the pulpit on Easter Sunday, just five weeks after the religious leader was shot in the mouth by crooks while stealing a car outside his church.
For the first time since that fateful day, the Rev. Clemmie Livingston Jr. preached to a packed crowd at New Zionfield Baptist Church in South Memphis. According to WREG-TV.
“I kept lying there and telling myself over and over that I was going to die soon,” Livingston, 70, told the station. “So what would people say if they bled like I did?”
But he survived the attack and said he never lost consciousness or felt any pain during the confusing ordeal.
“I’ll tell you while I’m on my knees.” [God] “He told me, ‘Stop trying to die and start living again,'” Livingston said. “I know in my spirit and heart that Jesus got me through this.”
The station said Livingston believes he survived because God still has a plan.
“I feel like God gave me something to do,” he said.
Livingston still has to endure at least two more surgeries – although the bullet hole in his mouth has been closed, he has a long way to go before he can be said to have fully recovered, the newspaper added.
These surgeries will keep him away from the pulpit for another eight weeks. But it’s better than the alternative.
“That’s my biggest blessing,” he said. “I’m still alive.”
No arrests have been made in this incident.
Livingston said. WHBQ-TV, which he plans to dedicate We need to spend more time preventing poor youth from committing violent crimes.
“Help these people, teach them how to roof, teach them how to lay bricks. That’s my plan,” the pastor said. “Teach them all these things. Whatever it takes, stop the murders.”
