Like many who have been given up for adoption, gospel superstar Kirk Franklin found it difficult to shake the sense of abandonment he felt when is biological parents decided they wouldn’t be able to raise him. After learning of his biological father’s terminal illness, the Grammy-winner reached out in the spirit of forgiveness, reuniting with father, Dwight Allen, just last month.
Today, the songwriter has shared the sad news that Allen passed away last night, opening up to followers about his decision to forgive him before it was too late.
“So many emotions. Being abandoned, being adopted, and when I got that call, I knew I didn’t want to continue living in that. So, I fought past it, moved past it and got on the plane, and I’m so glad I did. I just got a call tonight that he passed.
“I want to encourage anybody that may have a hard time moving in forgiveness. It’s painful, but it’s necessary. It’s necessary because they deserve it, you deserve it, and both of ya’ll deserve the same grace that we all want God to give us. That amazing grace.”
Watch Franklin share the news below.
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Do you remember the call I received a few months ago….? Dwight Allen 9.12.52.-10.15.18.🙏🏾
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Born and raised in Compton, California, Jessica Bennett began her career as an intern at The Oakland Post, and later, The Source Magazine. She went on to write for respected hip hop publications such as DJ Booth and Hip Hop DX before becoming the Urban Editor of pop culture website, Wetpaint.com. She joined Ebony as the Entertainment Editor August 2017. Bennett has interviewed such names as Vanessa Williams, Spike Lee, Tyra Banks, Forest Whitaker, Magic & Cookie Johnson and several others.