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Radio Host: Orlando Tragedy Is a Defining Moment for the Church

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When Omar Mateen walked into an Orlando nightclub and killed 49 people, it forever changed the national conversation about Islamic terrorism, homosexuality, faith and treatment of our fellow man. 

Christian radio host, Carmen Fowler LaBerge has joined that conversation and is focusing on how the Church should respond in love. It's an act that she says can ultimately change everything.

"When you speak, speak the truth in love: this was not of God," she wrote on her website Reconnect with Carmen. "God has revealed Himself to be love. Love came from God as Jesus not to condemn, kill nor destroy."

**LaBerge spoke with CBN News about how believers in Orlando are responding in love.** 

LaBerge tells Christians to take the lead in condemning the violence and hate that targets the gay community. She goes on to say that believers should not be attributing Mateen's actions as a judgment of God because of their lifestyle choice. 

"The Savior whose name we bear as Christ-followers, said he came so that we might have life and have it abundantly ( )," she wrote on her site. "It's the enemy who Jesus calls the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy. Does the carnage at Pulse look like life or death? Does the agenda of ISIS look to you like a promotion of life or death?"

"I don't see Christians apologizing for what scripture says about moral issues like homosexual behavior, (but) I do see Christians putting flesh on the Gospel by reaching out to people regardless of the things that we might differ on sociologically, morally, or even politically," she told CBN News. 

The Nashville-based radio program reaches Orlando, Florida, where people of different backgrounds are joining together to comfort and help one another.

"Last night's community-wide prayer event is, I think, an excellent example of the way in which the Orlando community of Christians is not only praying for, but praying with victims and their families," she said. 

LaBerge says the Orlando Chic-fil-A revealed the love of Christ when they opened up to serve first responders and blood donors, despite their policy to remain closed on Sundays.

"I do think that in particular the opportunity to go and do something physical, like give blood or Chick-fil-A's response, I think was really one of the more remarkable evidences of grace and how you live out grace in the context of tragedy," she said.

LaBerge adds that this is not only a defining moment for the nation but for the church as well. 

"Our responsibility as Christians is to continue demonstrating the truth and the beauty of the Gospel," she added. "Weep with those who weep and provide the opportunities for prayer and care. That's what I think has been the initial response of the Christian community."

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