I too am one of the many who attended Destiny. A friend had invited us and we became regular attenders. We made many friends there and grew in our faith. Was it a result of Eastman? His teaching DID point us to the truth and God's word. He helped to show us that our relationship with God was important. He was a example that you can still have fun and learn to grow with God. However, Eastman is just a man. He is as human as you and I.
We ended up moving out of state before anything ever arose at Destiny Church. I went on a quick trip last year only to find the church that I knew and loved, totally different. Not until a few months later did I hear the rumors, ect. ect. that was surrounding this whole scandle. IT is sickening and so so sad. My heart aches for Angel and the kids. This has hurt more people that Eastman will ever know. The testimony that he so adamantly professed has been tarnished. It really bothered my husband who looked to eastman as his Godly mentor, in a way. Eastman was "cool" and a "mans-man". This scandle had sent both of us searching for reasons why. After looking and prayer we discovered that things happen. Satan looks his hardest to find those to destroy. Especially those who are helping to further progress the saving message of Jesus.
We know that God is a all-loving God. He will forgive Eastman, if his heart is right. I do know that God continues to use broken vessels to His glory. We are all vessels filled with something, good , bad, that is up to us. No one other than Jesus & His love will forgive us of any mistake we have made. It isn't like any of us reading this, hasnt made some kind of mistake in our lives. No, perhaps it isnt as "scandleous" and out in the public. Maybe you think because no one is watching you it is okay, but it is a sin none the less. Eastman got caught, perhaps we haven't! (If you think you havent done something bad.. You are fooling yourselves!) God will forgive us and restore us from those sins, seen or unseen. He will forgive Eastman also, if his heart is humble. I do continue to pray for the family and Eastman, his new family and those so affected by the message this has sent out about christians, God and his love. As for the new church Eastman is pastoring, only God knows his heart and his motives. If he had searched an prayed, perhaps this is a new continuation of God's great plan. We can NEVER question what God is planning. Yet we know it will all work out according to His will.
Destiny Church was a great factor in me renewing my heart for God's glory and purpose. I miss it tremendously, but know it was just a stepping stone to something greater.
I sincerely hope that everyone can take their eyes off the life of A MAN, and place them on the life of THE MAN who can fill us with, with love and FORGIVENESS, and salvation. It is not only God who needs to forgive him, but US! Why let it nag on and on? For we all have something that could be posted on a message board. The whole world could read it and post 50+, sad and angry posts about how bad or unwise we were. It is only by God's grace & mercy that we (or Eastman) are forgiven