Rebecca Nichols Alonzo - The Devil in Pew Number Seven

What if someone were to do something unimaginably horrific to you or your family? The Devil in Pew Number Seven is a riveting true story of one womans journey of forgiveness, the depths of which most of us will never experience. Ultimately, Beckys harrowing account serves as an inspiration to us all, especially to those who are struggling with forgiveness in their own lives.

Dr. Tim LaHaye

President, Tim LaHaye Ministries; coauthor, Left Behind series

As little girls, were all scared of something. For five-year-old Becky, it was a bomb-setting madman in her daddys churchwith her family as the target. Against the odds she survived and has had to learn that forgiveness is the language of heaven. This is must reading for anyone struggling to forgive.

Shelley Breen

Point of Grace

As Christians we often pray, Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Its a lot easier to ask God for forgiveness for our own failings than it is to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Beckys story shows us that, with the Lords grace, forgiveness and healing are possible, even in the most horrific of situations.

James D. Daly

President and CEO, Focus on the Family

Becky has reached a level of forgiveness where few will ever have to go. In going there herself, she leads us on a path of freedom that is both riveting and revolutionary. We loved every page.

Ron and Lynette Lewis

Kings Park International Church, Durham, North Carolina Morning Star New York, New York City

Without a doubt, this is one of the best books I have ever read. I believe Beckys story will be greatly used of our Lord to change the lives of countless numbers of people.

Sherrill Babb, Ph.D.

Chancellor, Philadelphia Biblical University

Becky relives the shop of horrors in which she grew up, as her pastor dad and family were the target of vicious attacks. You will be dumbfounded and heartbroken over the extent to which evil can be perpetrated by bitter hearts. You will be vexed by the apparent triumph of injustice and perplexed by the seeming inactivity of God at times. And you will marvel at the grace of God to enable His children to forgive their enemies, overcome evil with good, and hold fast to hope that a day is coming when He will right all wrongs and vindicate His own.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Author, Revive Our Hearts radio host

Forgiveness seems so unnatural. For the offended to be able to remove the debt of the offender can only be a God thing. The Devil in Pew Number Seven proves that point very well.

H. B. London, Jr.

Vice President, Church and Clergy, Focus on the Family

At the heart of solving most of our relational conflicts is one all-important word forgiveness . Beckys remarkable story will unlock multitudes from their past and propel them into a life of freedom, success, and peace. I highly recommend this book.

Larry Tomczak

Author and Speaker

Get ready to be captivated and inspired by Beckys testimony. We simply could not put the book down.

Sam and Kathi Katina

The Katinas

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The Devil in Pew Number Seven

Copyright 2010 by Rebecca N. Alonzo. All rights reserved.

Cover background photo copyright by Katrin Solansky/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.

Cover photo of man copyright by Claudia Dewald/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.

Cover photo of mans face copyright by Joan Vicent Cant Roig/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.

Cover photo of town used by permission from Rebecca Alonzo. All rights reserved.

Vintage photo artwork on all chapter and afterword opening pages copyright by iStockphoto. All rights reserved.

Chapter 13 photo copyright by Joe Nesbitt/Wilmington Morning Star. All rights reserved.

Chapter 15 photo copyright by David Molnar. All rights reserved.

All other interior photographs used with permission from the personal collection of Rebecca Nichols Alonzo.

Author photo copyright 2009 by Keith Thomas. All rights reserved.

Designed by Ron Kaufmann

Published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Agency, 10152 Knoll Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible , King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NKJV is a trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Alonzo, Rebecca Nichols

The devil in pew number seven / Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with DeMoss, Bob.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ).

ISBN 978-1-4143-2659-7 (sc)

1. Alonzo, Rebecca Nichols 2. Nichols, Robert (Robert F.) 3. Nichols, Ramona. 4. Free Welcome Holiness Church (Sellerstown, N.C.)Biography. 5. Victims of violent crimesNorth CarolinaSellerstownBiography. I. DeMoss, Robert G. II. Title.

BX7990.H62A46 2010

277.3082092dc22

[B] 2010007670

To Mom and Dad for being servant-leaders, for showing Gods endless love to the unlovable. Thank you for writing your memoirs so this book could be written. Our journey together continues through the years.

To my brother, Daniel; you were not only an answer to Mom and Dads prayers but mine as well. Without you, I would have been a lonely only child.

To Aunt Dot, my constant guide and number one fan. Im grateful for your love and wisdom. Your devotion to our family knows no bounds.

To Kenny, my husband and best friend. Thank you for all of the years of love and devotion, for being a man of integrity, and for holding my hand through the smiles and tears. You continue to amaze me.

For Kolby, my valiant warrior; your mighty heart toward the Lord and love for justice bless my life.

For Katelin, my delicate rose; the love of God is a sweet-smelling fragrance from your tender heart and is precious to me.

Authors Note

Let me be clear about one thing.

The story youre about to read actually happened, every last detail of it. As the plot unfolds, my hunch is that youll need to remind yourself of this reality more than once. If youve ever required evidence to prove the adage Truth is stranger than fiction, look no further. To be redundant, this is a true story.

In a way, I wish it were not. And at times Im glad its true.

Some of what transpired occurred before I was born, which, for obvious reasons, means I have no firsthand knowledge of those events. Likewise, there was a time when I was too young to comprehend the events swirling around me. However, my parents wisely kept thorough personal journals, thick family photo albums, stacks of newspaper clippings, an 8 mm film reel, and a priceless cassette tape narrated by my father. (Some of those photos appear on the opening pages of the chapters in this book. A list of captions is included )