Forgiveness is a choice and the heart of Christianity, proclaims father of murdered 18-year-old university student in Kentucky

The father of Josiah Kilman, an 18-year-old university student in Kentucky allegedly murdered by a wrestling teammate, preached “forgiveness” at a chapel service honoring his son last week.

Josiah was found deceased in his dorm room at Campbellsville University on the morning of Feb. 24. An initial autopsy report lists the cause of death as manual strangulation.

Authorities have charged one of his wrestling teammates, Charles Escalera, with murder in the case. Escalera is being held on a $2 million bond.

Joe Kilman, Josiah’s father, made an emotional plea to those attending the service, asking them first to express their emotions, before imploring them to let go and choose to forgive.  

Forgiveness is the central tenet of Christianity, he said. 

“Anger! Sadness! Unforgiveness! Emptiness! Hope! Love! Frustration! Mad! Confusion! Guilty! Condemned! Broken!” the crowd reportedly yelled out when Kilman asked what they were feeling. 

“I felt every single one of those emotions simultaneously since the moment I got the phone call,” he said. “Emotions are one thing. We have choices in life. Forgiveness is something I didn’t hear because it’s not an emotion. It’s a choice. 

“If Josiah was standing here right now, if he had the opportunity to speak to you, he would talk to you about forgiveness. It’s the center of what Jesus is. Unforgiveness? That’s a curse. It comes with things you don’t want, things you don’t need. 

“As Travis (McIntosh of Campbellsville University) stood here and challenged you from the life of Josiah, I challenge you to choose forgiveness because in that forgiveness, we become the light of Jesus.” 

McIntosh, the university’s athletic admissions counselor, also spoke at the service, describing Josiah as one of the university’s most brilliant students, and an ardent ambassador for his faith. He also challenged those in attendance to embody Josiah’s passion.  

“When I first met him, the second day of school, I was instantly intrigued,” he told those in attendance. “Even in the brightest room, he was the brightest light. The young man showed me nothing else in this world matters but spreading the Gospel and leading people to Jesus Christ. He touched a lot of people in this room and in this place. 

“Everyone in this room, and Campbellsville University as a whole, I challenge you as Josiah would have challenged, l challenge you boldly to be bold, be bold for Jesus. Pick up your cross and go seek the lost and love them and love them and love them.”