Our God is With Us through It All: Interview with Craig and Médine Keener about Impossible Love

PneumaReview.com: Médine, Your parents seem to have been a source of strength in your family. What are some of the things that you admire about them the most?

Médine: First, my parents’ faith and relentless seeking of God’s direction in their lives and ours was a great encouragement. Nothing was too small or too big for them to bring before their heavenly Father. Second, their love for each other and for their children in all circumstances. Finally, their ability to forgive their enemies and love all people.

 

PneumaReview.com: Médine, your parents also seem to have instilled a strong Christian faith in you and your family. How did they do this?

Médine: From the time each one of us was born until the day they entered Heaven, my Mom and Dad prayed for and with us. As far back as I can remember, my parents read the Bible to us, taught us hymns. They were always open to listen to us, answer our questions and walk with us through faith crisis. They also taught us by being human with all their faults and qualities and living their lives in a way that gave glory to God.

 

PneumaReview.com: Médine, one of the things that stands out in your story is the important part that dreams, visions, and prophecies have played in your story. Now that you have lived in the United States for a number of years do you think that people in Africa are more open to these kind of supernatural experiences than people in the West and if so, why?

Médine: I think so because our culture is prone to believing in the existence of powers beyond us. Also I believe that because of the blessings of technology and other medical resources in the West that people in Africa do not have, we rely on God for all our needs.

 

PneumaReview.com: In the book you both share that you have experienced divorce. Some people in similar situations might not share this information. Why did you decide to include it in your book?

Craig: Lots of people are afraid to tell their stories, even if, as in our case, they were abandoned or betrayed and didn’t choose their situation. And their fear is understandable: there are some places that will treat you like a leper. Some churches will reject your ministry. But God wrote the story in our lives; He’s the hero of the book, and the honor for healing us and using us belongs to Him. Ultimately the story isn’t about us so much as it’s about the One who works behind the scenes in all our lives to communicate His love to the world. Médine and I have humbled ourselves and told our story, including the deepest pieces of brokenness, so others who have been broken can take courage.

Médine: For me it speaks of God redeeming my dream. I always wanted to be happily married and when things turned out so different, so bleak in my first marriage, I thought that I would spend the rest of my life single. Then God in his grace gave me a second chance, a happy marriage; He redeemed that which I thought would not happen again. It is also a testimony to my own brokenness and God’s healing power.

Tags: craig, featured, god, impossible, interview, keener, love, médine

Category: Living the Faith, Spring 2016