Rising Stars: Meet Rebecca Alonzo of Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Alonzo.

Hi Rebecca, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Rebecca Alonzo and I am an author and speaker, who loves to share the message of forgiveness. I wrote about this in my autobiography, The Devil in Pew Number Seven, which is a true crime story.

My parents were pastors of a small, country church in North Carolina in the 70’s. They suffered great persecution at the hands of a madman, who attended our church. He always sat in pew number 7.
This man was relentless. His evil intentions escalated from threatening letters, and harassing phone calls, to drive-by shootings, and eventually bombings around our home and church.

In spite of this, the church continued to grow and my parents were more determined than ever to stay in the Sellerstown Community. Local, state, and federal police agents were called in to investigate and gather evidence of the malicious activity. This terrorism went on for over 5 years.

My brother, Daniel and I were born during these difficult and frightening years. However, in the midst of it all, we were loved and had wonderful, godly parents, who modeled forgiveness and grace.

It came to a head on Easter weekend as a friend of our mom’s came to stay with us to escape her abusive, alcoholic husband. He had threatened to kill her and their 2 year old son.
Mr Watts, who became, “The Devil in Pew Number Seven,” found out about this opportunity and sent his thugs over to an already enraged husband. It provoked him to come after his wife and child.

This man, who had been a longtime friend of our family, barged into our home with 3 guns and plenty of ammunition. I was 7 years old. My brother was 3. We had just sat down at the dinner table. We watched this troubled man gun down our parents, right in front of us.

Our mom went home to heaven that day. Our dad survived the shooting but was never the same. He died 7 years later.

Because of our parent’s and our family’s examples of forgiveness, my brother and I survived and have been able to live somewhat normal lives. Jesus has healed and helped my brother and me through PTSD, due to the trauma of terrorism and loss.

I am a proud daughter of martyrs, who willingly laid their lives down for the Gospel and the Church. I gladly carry the torch they passed to me, along with a godly inheritance, which my husband and I have passed down to our children.

Thankfully, my book, The Devil in Pew Number Seven, has many details not mentioned here.

In the Epilogue, I share how my brother and I ended up on the Dr. Phil show, years after the shooting, with the shooter.
We were able to tell Mr. Williams face to face that we forgave him. It was an emotional, yet freeing moment for us all.

There is so much redemption and hope in our story. I give God all the praise for the trials and triumphs. God never leaves us or forsakes us.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Forgiving over and over when it’s an ongoing situation is a weary challenge at times. Waiting for resolve and then being ok if you don’t get it, either in the court system or in relationships, can be difficult. Also, on special occasions when we wish we could celebrate with our parents, we have to remember that we need to live from a place of healing and not heartbreak. As a friend of mine says, “You learn to make friends with the Grief.”

Daniel and I were also blessed to be adopted by our Aunt Dot, who raised us as a single parent. She made many sacrifices to give us a normal life. We are so grateful for her.

I believe when we choose to forgive, it opens a door of blessings to come in place of the pain. My amazing husband, Kenny, and our wonderful kids bring so much joy to my life.
My brother, Daniel, and his wife, Jen, have 2 amazing kids as well.

When we give God our stories, He can make them into beautiful testimonies of His unending love and mercy.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Author and Speaker and my platform is speaking on forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I am grateful for every opportunity to share my story of forgiveness. I’ve found it helps others who are hurting to forgive and walk in freedom.

I am most proud of our children as I watch them walk in close fellowship with Jesus, and have healthy relationships with others.

If my own parents had not modeled forgiveness to my brother and me, I would not be able to share their beautiful testimony of watching them, pray, love, and forgive.

It has been my joy and privilege to share our story all over the world through my book. I enjoy speaking to diverse groups of people, churches, civic groups, women’s conferences, and independent organizations.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During Covid, I realized that after decades of people being religiously and politically divided, we also became medically divided due to the pressure to get vaccinated.

As more and more research has emerged, we have discovered through peer reviews among doctors from different branches of medicine, that masks and being 6 feet apart cannot stop a virus.

It has been heartbreaking to watch family and friends become estranged over the Covid vaccine .

On a positive note, Dr. Peter McCullough, a cardiologist, has been a big proponent of a detox protocol that has been beneficial in helping people recover from Covid.

I pray that families and friends divided over this virus can come together. We need each other now, more than ever.

Through it all, I have learned
not to let differences of opinions ruin great relationships. We can agree to disagree, love each other, and learn from each other along the way.

Pricing:

• $20 for my book

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.rebeccaalonzo.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedevilinpewnumberseven

Image Credits
author photo creds: Keith Thomas
family pic of me, Kenny and our kids–Photo creds: Campbell Lemon Photography
everything else is either old or candid shots