Kevin and Shondale Gray’s mission to Inspire 1 million acts of forgiveness In our area and beyond
By Monica Wallis
Head to The Glory House of Frisco on any Saturday afternoon, and you’ll hear the vibrant voice of Kevin Gray, Lead Pastor and accomplished author, songwriter, and recording artist. Kevin opened the church in January 2022 alongside his wife and other Lead Pastor, Shondale Gray. Originally from Washington, D.C., the couple uprooted their family in 2020 following what they described as a divine calling. Despite initially planning for New York City, Shondale shared, “We actually heard the name Frisco in a dream. We were in prayer and fasting, seeking God’s direction, and it was clear to us that Frisco, Texas was where we needed to be.”
This leap of faith culminated in the establishment of The Glory House of Frisco and eventually the inception of Forgiveness Day on August 16, officially proclaimed by the City of Frisco in 2022. “Our journey here was all about obedience to God’s call,” Kevin said. “We had no job opportunities lined up, no income assurance due to the pandemic, but we moved in faith.”
A Heart that Forgives
In the early 2000s, Kevin wrote the song A Heart That Forgives after experiencing deep betrayal in the music industry. A prominent ministry initially praised his music and promised contracts, but later sold his song without permission. Despite attempts to contact them, Kevin faced silence. With the help of his business manager and future wife, Shondale, Kevin sought legal advice, only to face false claims from the ministry leader that he had given the music for free.
In the midst of this turmoil, Kevin had a transformative dream. He found himself ascending through the heavens but halted by the vision of the man who had wronged him. In the dream, Kevin was instructed to forgive the man and his wife, embracing them despite his pain. Upon waking, Kevin felt a divine call “not only to forgive the man but also to forgive the debt.” This revelation was a significant test of faith, especially given his dire financial situation at the time.
Kevin followed through, contacting the ministry leader and informing him of his decision not to sue. This act of grace, though incredibly costly in monetary terms, became the foundation for Kevin’s enduring legacy.
Not Just Music, But a Movement
A Heart That Forgives quickly became the cornerstone of a much larger movement. “It wasn’t just a song; it was a campaign,” Kevin recalled. “God wanted us to help others overcome things they couldn’t even talk about… there was a man in Los Angeles whose only son was murdered on his doorstep. After hearing my song, he found the strength to forgive the man who killed his son. Stories like this remind us why this work is so important.”
He also reflected on a poignant encounter after he and Shondale’s first forgiveness event. Among the 8,000 attendees was a woman who shared a heart-wrenching story: her husband had cheated on her, contracted AIDS, and unknowingly transmitted the disease to her. She was left grappling with the devastating consequences of his infidelity. This event, which drew people from all walks of life, including representatives from the White House and various artists, underscored the deep emotional wounds many carried.
During the event, attendees left voicemails recounting their own stories of betrayal and pain. The messages were often unintelligible due to the callers’ overwhelming emotions, crying as they shared their experiences. It was in these raw, emotional outpourings that Kevin had a profound realization. “The Lord said to me, ‘Kevin, this is not a song. This is a movement. This is a campaign. I really want you to focus your life on helping people to overcome things they can’t even talk about, because these experiences have literally shaped their lives and caused their hearts to become so hard that it is hard for them to get over.’ When [Shondale and I] were asking the Lord what we should do, we heard Him tell us to start a campaign to inspire a minimum of a million acts of forgiveness.”
The Forgiveness Campaign is Born
The idea behind the Forgiveness Campaign is simple yet profound: inspire a million acts of forgiveness across the United States. The campaign is marked by four goals: see families restored, friendships repaired, communities strengthened, and people empowered.
The Grays plan to visit every state, hosting a variety of forgiveness-oriented events, from town hall meetings and concerts to comedy shows and city walks. The goal is to take over neighborhoods with block parties featuring diverse artists and activities that promote healing and reconciliation. In addition to in-person events, the campaign has utilized radio takeovers, where stations play Kevin’s song and open phone lines for listeners to call in and make public declarations of forgiveness.
On August 17 in Frisco, Forgiveness Day will be marked by a series of events, including “A Night of Hope and Healing” at their church, The Glory House of Frisco, featuring music, dance, and testimonies. The Grays also plan to host a community forum at the Frisco Public Library, engaging city officials in discussions about forgiveness and its importance. “We want to involve everyone, from city officials to local residents, in this conversation,” Shondale emphasized. “Forgiveness is something that impacts us all.”
Starting the week before Forgiveness Day, Kevin and Shondale will go live on Facebook and Instagram each night, hosting different guests and discussing various aspects of forgiveness.
One of the most powerful ways to participate in Forgiveness Day is by wearing something as simple as a yellow ribbon. Last year, the ribbons made a significant impact. Shondale recalled a woman who wore her ribbon to a local store and ended up having a profound conversation with a stranger. “She was in Lowe’s, and someone asked about the ribbon. That led to a deep discussion about forgiveness, right there in the fertilizer aisle!” Shondale laughed. “Moments like these show the power of a simple symbol.” Yellow ribbons will be available at The Glory House of Frisco and various events throughout the week. The Grays encourage everyone to wear their ribbons proudly on Forgiveness Day and share their stories on social media.
The Grays are also involved in the Frisco Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, an annual event that brings together city officials and community members for a time of prayer and reflection. “This year, the Prayer Breakfast will come under the Forgiveness Campaign,” Kevin explained. “It’s a natural fit, as both initiatives aim to promote healing and unity within our community.”
Forgive Fully, Live Freely
The Grays emphasize that forgiveness is not just a moral imperative but a pathway to emotional health. “Forgiveness is crucial for our well-being,” Kevin said. “It frees us from the chains of bitterness and allows us to live fully.” Shondale added, “And if we don’t learn how to release it in a healthy way, then you’re either going to harm yourself, harm others, or both. And any major tragedy that we see on the news, you can always get to the root that somewhere there was hurt involved.”
The couple works hard to share this important message with their congregation at The Glory House of Frisco. Kevin highlighted the idea in scripture that harboring iniquity and bitterness in our hearts can block our prayers from being heard by God (Psalm 66:18). This often explains why, despite fervent praying, we may not see the manifestation of our desires. During such times, it’s essential to perform self-examination to identify any unresolved unforgiveness that might be causing a spiritual blockage. While not always the cause, unforgiveness can certainly be a factor in why we feel things are on hold in our lives.
“When we don’t forgive, oftentimes we don’t realize that a lot of our prayers can be blocked. There’s a scripture that says if you regard iniquity in your heart, God says, ‘I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you,’” Kevin explained. “So, I think the best thing that we can teach is that when you don’t forgive, you’re actually opening yourself up for the enemy to have legal right to bring different forms of torment into your life until you let it go.”
Forgiveness is also a fundamental part of physical health. Kevin recounted a significant encounter where his song reached the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Dr. Michael Barry, the Director of Pastoral Care, incorporated the [Kevin’s] song into their forgiveness education program, highlighting the link between unforgiveness and cancer remission in his book, The Forgiveness Project. In recognition of Kevin’s contribution, he was honored with the Release Now Award, cementing his role in promoting the healing power of forgiveness.
“We’ve seen miraculous turnarounds when people let go of bitterness and resentment. It’s a powerful testimony to the impact of forgiveness,” Shondale said.
Going for Gold
The couple’s long-term vision includes expanding the reach of Forgiveness Day beyond Frisco, describing it as somewhat of an Olympics, where, ideally, some sort of forgiveness celebration is held every few years. “We hope to see other cities adopt a day of forgiveness,” Shondale expressed. “Eventually, we’d love to see a Forgiveness Month, similar to how we have Domestic Violence Awareness and Suicide Prevention months.”
As the Grays continue their mission, they remain a beacon of hope and inspiration in Frisco and beyond. Their story and work are a powerful reminder of the impact that a single act of forgiveness can have, rippling through communities and touching lives in profound ways. “Forgiveness has been the only way we’ve been able to stay married,” Kevin admitted. “It’s not about who’s right, but about what’s right. And what’s right is to forgive.”
“Forgiveness does not take sides,” Shondale concluded. “We can’t say we can pray for forgiveness for this person because they’re a victim, but we can’t pray for forgiveness for the person who committed the offense.”
Get Involved
The Forgiveness Campaign has inspired many to get involved in promoting acts of forgiveness in their own communities. One city heard about the Grays’ campaign and decided to raise 1,000 acts of forgiveness. They came together, put up posters, and achieved their goal. To celebrate, they organized a cookout event and invited Kevin to perform a concert. The couple encourages everyone to participate in any way they can, whether by promoting awareness, organizing their own forgiveness events, or inviting Kevin to speak and perform.
Volunteers are also essential to the mission. Kevin and Shondale plan to visit stores and malls wearing t-shirts that say “Today’s Forgiveness Day” to raise awareness; they invite anyone local to join them. Additionally, the first Sunday in August is International Forgiveness Day, a perfect time for communities to come together and embrace the healing power of forgiveness.
This year’s Frisco Forgiveness Day will begin at 4pm on August 17 at The Glory House of Frisco (9020 FM-423, inside Friendship Church). For more information on the Forgiveness Campaign and to submit your own moments of forgiveness, visit forgiveandlivetoday.org. Follow along with the Grays on Instagram @gloryhouseoffrisco!
Monica Wallis is an award-winning writer, witty headline fan, and founder of Copy That, full-service copywriting for brands in destination, food, beverage and beyond. A Frisco resident since 2018, she loves popping into all the coffee shops and restaurants Sports City USA has to offer—not to mention chasing its incredible sunsets, too. Follow along with Monica on Instagram @copythat_creative!
