South Carolina church receives generous donation from self-proclaimed former racist

The pastor of a predominantly black South Carolina church said his congregation received an unusually large monetary donation last week as repentance from an anonymous donor who said they were white and used to be a "terrible racist."

Reverend Michael Sullivan of Nicholtown Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, said he was shocked to see the hefty donation and the note that went along with it.

"The letter reads, 'Dear sir or ma'am, please accept this donation of $2,000 to Nicholtown Presbyterian Church,'" Sullivan told WHNS in Greenville.

"I am white and used to be a terrible racist," he continued. "Thanks to Jesus and the Holy Spirit acting through the Presbyterian Church, I have been cleansed of that. I send this donation as a heartfelt apology to the African American community, as a sign of God's love for you and as a sign for my love for you as well."

Sullivan, who has been preaching at Nicholtown for 15 months now, told WHNS that he was grateful for the donation to the church, which he said will go toward new youth programs in the area. He also had a message he wanted to share with the anoymous donor.

"Just letting them know, that they're loved," said Sullivan. "I think that's what we really need to do more of: share the love of God."