In a statement to ChurchLeaders, Brodersen said he has been grieving the loss of his grandfather for the past two years, as his health declined. “His funeral to me was more of a celebration because I knew he’s with Jesus now and not in so much pain.”
Brodersen also told ChurchLeaders that addiction relapses have prevented him from successfully following Stanley’s footsteps into ministry. “I always have sermon ideas,” said the grandson, “so I’m going to take advantage of YouTube and spread the gospel there the best I can.”
After Stanley died, Brodersen revealed that his grandfather once saved his life via the phone. When Brodersen was suicidal, Stanley called and encouraged him to “give Jesus one more try.”
When ChurchLeaders reached out to Brodersen for comment on May 9, he said he recently had separate phone calls with his uncle and aunt, Andy and Sandra Stanley. When he apologized, they forgave him, he said. “Both of them have had a big impact on my life. I got to live with them for a month or two in my college days, and it will always be some of the most meaningful days of my life.”
Brodersen indicated that he’s grateful for the “very nice conclusion” to the situation. When asked what advice he would give to people whose loved ones die, Brodersen told ChurchLeaders: “Don’t go immediately to try to sell their things. Give it time; you might not want to sell the items after all. I’m glad things turned out the way they did.”
