Beechdale Road

"This is an agonizing story. It will compel you to address the dark reality of living in a broken world while asking the core question of those harmed by evil: Is God good—does God protect the innocent? 

This is a radical story of communion and care between the Amish community, who lost a beloved daughter to murder and the family of the man who committed the crime. As a trauma therapist, I know the ravages of harm that envelope the lives of those who suffer the effects of evil, but seldom do I get to see or even read about mercy rising to resist the despair of death. This is a compelling book that will remind you of the promise of the Lord’s prayer: “On Earth as it is in Heaven.”"

- Dr. Dan B. Allender, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Founding President of The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology  

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"I spent a lot of my childhood working and playing on a farm that sits along Beechdale Road. I never would have imagined that one of the most intense and challenging cases of my career would start there. As the Lead Detective on this investigation, I had a front row seat to all the evil and pain, but also a lot of the good. Large gatherings, singing and prayer events were common within the community. I witnessed the entire community rally for a common cause. I witnessed forgiveness, mercy and grace at a level that is difficult to comprehend. In the midst of it, I wondered if this narrative would ever be told. Tim and his daughter Megan capture this in their book, Beechdale Road. It provides an opportunity to showcase the mercy, grace and forgiveness that would otherwise be lost in the story of Linda Stoltzfoos."

- Chris Jones, Detective, East Lampeter Township Police Department

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"I suppose what surprised me most is that Beechdale Road is not a book about the details of a tragic event. Rather, this is a book about the feelings associated with all tragic events. Feelings that are raw and honest. Feelings of anger, shame, guilt and second-guessing. Feelings that come in waves and threaten to overcome and overwhelm. But the real surprise in reading Beechdale Road is the unexpected gift I received – a gift that calms the darkest of waves. It comes from stepping into the uncomfortable and undeserved space of embracing the feelings of kindness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and grace. Without a doubt, this is an excellent book for those whose heart and mind need to experience the healing hand of God that only comes through community."

- David Ashcraft, President and CEO, Global Leadership Network and Former Senior Pastor of LCBC Church

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"Beechdale Road is the compelling story of being on the vulnerable and uncomfortable receiving end of grace, and how that journey transformed a family and a community. Tim and Megan write with raw transparency about experiencing mercy in place of wrath, and repeated kindness in lieu of bitterness. Not an easy story to pen, but an effortless read. Father and daughter share personal memories, anguish and guilt interspersed with life-altering revelations. They tell of human tragedy reshaped by costly forgiveness offered not once but again and again. No cotton-candy explanations here; this is grace in all its God-given complexity and beauty. It is "street-smart" theology. A great read!"

- Dr. Thomas L. Kiedis, President, Lancaster Bible College

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"Over the course of my life, I have found that God’s grace is incredibly amazing, and yet never fully understood. Plumbing the depths of His grace is a never-ending pursuit. As one who lives in Lancaster County, I have seen and heard numerous accounts of how our Amish neighbors choose to show their own gratitude for God’s grace by heaping it on others in situations where the world might prescribe, promote, and expect a response marked by hatred. In many ways, the story told in Beechdale Road is not at all surprising for those of us who have come to expect an outpouring of grace from the Amish community. Still, Tim and Megan’s story is powerfully disarming, as it will take you more deeply into the well of God’s grace, offering a view into what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, along with how to show gratitude for His grace in our response to others."

- Dr. Walt Mueller, President, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

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"Jesus taught his followers that people who have been forgiven forgive. Forgiveness is perhaps the costliest gift a human being could ever give to another. This account of the power of forgiveness to transform lives is emotionally gripping and concretely redemptive. It deserves a wide readership."

- Dr. Glenn Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

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"In a world of wars, murders, and violence topping the daily headlines, this is a different story. It’s a story of hope, of healing, and of grace in the midst of unimaginable tragedy. This is a true story that must be told. I was deeply moved and encouraged by it; I highly recommend it to you."

- Chip Ingram, Founder & CEO, Living on the Edge, Author of “I Choose Peace, How to Quiet Your Heart in an Anxious World”

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"If we’re all honest with ourselves, the act of forgiving one another is possibly one of the hardest things to do as a human being.  Yet, at the heart of forgiveness lies one of the most important truths, that we are all human and in need of forgiveness from others.  Within the pages of this book lies one of the most powerful and honest experiences, sharing the depth of loss, grief, anger, and ultimately forgiveness.  I’ve never read a book so powerful, compelling, and demonstrating the power of forgiveness and it’s healing principles."

- Dr. Rick Rhoads, President, BCM International

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"This is a vivid story of pain, love, and redemption. This compelling story does not shy away from the reality of the struggle it is to keep going at times, yet provides guidance for anyone seeking to move on from unspeakable pain. With God’s grace, we can and must push on. Sometimes the strength to do so comes in the simplest ways."

- Dr. Irvin L. Scott, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Author of “Leading With Heart & Soul”

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"This story of 'undeserved mercy confronting undeniable evil' shook me to the core and has profoundly influenced my understanding of the Gospel, as well as mercy, forgiveness, grace, and the nature of evil itself. I was confronted with the 'uncomfortable weight of grace' in my own life. I discovered a new way to 'embrace the healing power of grace' — the grace that God Himself has granted me, and the grace I must be ready to extend to others, including myself."

- Dr. E.Scott Feather, Lead Pastor of Gateway Church, Parkesburg, PA.

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"Megan and Tim’s ongoing journey through the complexities of redemption teaches us of the enduring power of forgiveness. The road to reconciliation is costly, and this story walks you through the wake of painful evil. Still, it continues into the triumph of all that is good. This short read will remain with you long after you reach the last page. Beechdale Road is not just any old story; it’s a timeless testament that gives us a look at the very heart of God."

- Joe Lab, Pastor of Hershey Mennonite Church, Kinzers, PA

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"As a native of Lancaster County, PA, I read Beechdale Road with riveting interest. I am quite familiar with Amish culture, know Pastor Tim personally, and remember well the extensive local news coverage as the full story unfolded of a young Amish girl’s disappearance. As the authors peeled back the appropriate layers of their own journeys through hurt, hope, help and healing, they reveal a metaphoric Amish quilt, masterfully arranging pieces of clashing cultures. The threads which sew the whole story together connect the fabric to unveil an incredibly beautiful testimony of God’s amazing grace, mercy, and forgiveness in a most unusual way."

- Dr. James R. Ayers, Professor Emeritus, Lancaster Bible College

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"Thank you Megan and Tim for putting words to the human struggle… I found myself drawn into the story and my heart and mind engaged with bigger questions on life. Thanks for reminding us that Good and Evil dance within us all… and receiving mercy and forgiveness can be life changing."

- Adam Nagle, Executive Director, The Factory Ministries, Paradise, PA

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"In the days between and after Justo Smoker’s arrest and Linda Stoltzfoos’ funeral, Justo’s family faced a labyrinth of multidimensional grief, fear, anger, shock, confusion, & guilt.  These emotions were complicated and consoled by the “uncomfortable weight of grace” extended by the Amish community and Stoltzfoos family. Megan and Tim explore beyond doctrinal definitions of grace to illuminate a pathway through the shadows of horrifying evil. Their story is a personal & prescriptive lens to reveal the hope of terrifying forgiveness. Thanks for sharing it with us…"

- Brandon Fisher, Lead Pastor of Keystone Church, Paradise, PA

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"In Beechdale Road, a talented father-daughter writing team takes us behind the scenes of a front-page murder story and gives us a glimpse into the lives of the murder convict's family members and the community of the murder victim as they struggle together through grief, guilt and sorrow. While this unflinching narrative captures the depth of human suffering and loss, it also offers an inspiring depiction of grace, compassion and forgiveness -- and mercy that triumphs over death."

- Sarah Thebarge, Author of The Invisible Girls, and WELL

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"The true gift of this book is seeing how mercy and grace can overwhelm fear, anger, and shame. Through Beechdale Road, we have the chance to marvel at the incredible grace and forgiveness demonstrated by the family and friends of Linda Stoltzfoos. We also face the very real difficulty of what it means to receive forgiveness and grace when we feel at our most undeserving. To consider the grace of God and our unworthiness is too often merely an intellectual exercise. Thank you, Megan and Tim, for giving us the gift of your story to consider the true power of mercy, grace, and forgiveness."

- Jack Crowley, President, Water Street Mission

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"Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall to discover how a family that walked through tragedy came out on the other side whole and well? This book is just that. I couldn’t put it down. A tremendously open and honest experience of the way a family processed deep pain while at the same time received beautiful forgiveness and mercy."

- Curt Seaburg, Lead Pastor, Victory Church