Warning: Spoilers Ahead

The Power of Forgiveness

One of the best examples of forgiveness is coming to a theater near you. The theatrical release of My Brothers’ Crossing debuts on September 3, 2020. The true story takes place in remote Southwest Virginia and contains a compelling message about forgiveness.

After a fatal accident on August 21, 2015, two men confront a tragedy that changes their lives:

• C.J. Martin drove the vehicle that killed Bobby and Pam Clark.
• J.T. Clark was Bobby’s brother.

The Book

In 2018, J.T. Clark and his wife, Terri, wrote the book behind the movie, In the Blink of an Eye: Forgiveness in Black and White. Here is the book trailer.

Terri Lee & J.T.

The Cast

In the film, James Black plays C.J. Martin, and Daniel Roebuck plays J.T. Clark. Locals play smaller roles. J.T. Clark plays a firefighter in the movie.

The Accident

After attending a T.R.A.S.H. service (Totally Redeemed Anointed Servants of the Most High), Bobby and Pam Clark said goodbye to their friends. They hopped on the motorcycle that Pam had given Bobby for his 50^th birthday and headed for home.

Pam and Bobby Clark

C.J. Martin, a local pastor, attended his son’s high school football game that evening. After the game, he got in his truck to drive his son home.

Martin met an ambulance on fire and had to detour. He turned into the wrong lane, saw a motorcycle coming, and tried to correct his error. Simultaneously, the couple on the motorcycle saw him coming and tried to get out of the way. The couple swerved too hard, throwing them off the motorcycle and under the wheels of Martin’s truck.

Filmed on location, the movie takes place on the same roadway, at the same funeral home, in the same churches, and in the same courtroom. The funeral home said Bobby and Pam Clark were wonderful people. They lived to serve God and love on his people.

I asked J.T. Clark how he felt reenacting this painful part of his life.

It was cathartic in the best sense. It was difficult, but sometimes you have to go through pain to get to the other side. What people see on the screen is an accurate representation of what took place.

J.T. Clark

Character Perceptions

The story transpires during a period of riots and racial hate crimes, similar to today. Complicating the tragedy, Martin was African-American, and the Clarks were Caucasian. While Martin tormented himself over the deaths he caused, two questions haunted him. Would people react with misplaced hate over the color of his skin? Would prejudice affect the outcome?

James Black plays Martin in the movie. Black understands why Martin assumed the entire world was against him. “There’s a wall you put up. A cage you put yourself in.” Black identified with Martin’s fears of retaliation and prejudice.

J.T. & Martin with their wives & mothers

Daniel Roebuck plays J.T. Clark in the film. Unlike Black, Roebuck didn’t feel the accident, and the ensuing trial had anything to do with race. To him, it was about an angry brother’s mental turmoil between justice and forgiveness. “J.T. was mad because someone killed his brother. He wasn’t mad because a black guy killed his brother.”

Robin Quesinberry, Bobby and Pam Clark’s daughter, called Martin two days after the accident and moved toward forgiveness. Then, she invited his family to dinner two weeks later. She knew her parent’s deaths had been an accident. When the media was harsh toward Martin, she replied in support. “This was not any kind of malicious act. If you have anything to say about Mr. Martin, just let it be a prayer for him and his family.”

Transformation

Bobby Clark’s death changed his brother. Unlike Bobby, who was a pastor, J.T. was not a spiritual man. His niece, Robin Quesinberry, set the tone, encouraging him to reconsider his misdirected anger and actions. Ultimately, he realized it was an accident, and that justice was best served by forgiveness. Roebuck said, “This (story) is about the Holy Spirit moving through a community.”

Not playing in your theater? Call them and request it.

The Outcome

After careful reflection, J.T. traveled to court to pay Martin’s fine. That act caused the judge to lessen the charge against Martin.

Later, Martin invited J.T. to his church. Filled with emotion, Martin struggled to introduce him. J.T. got up, hugged him, and said, “I gotcha brother. It’s gonna be alright.”

Now three ministry men (J.T., Martin, and Mike Price—the pastor of T.R.A.S.H.) hold Bible studies and church services together.

God created us as equals. Now is the time to band together as brothers and sisters. Now is the time to love and forgive.