Peters shared that this decision came after a transformative moment, sparked by a conversation that allowed her to release past trauma and view her experience from a new perspective.
In her story, Peters recounted her journey from the accusation in 2009 to the healing process that followed. She explained how societal pressure and ingrained beliefs about pastors deepened her confusion and pain, eventually leading her to go public with her story a decade ago. Despite the backlash, Peters acknowledged that the experience brought her awareness, though it also left scars that she has only recently started to heal.
In her message, Peters expressed a newfound sense of clarity, saying, “I release Biodun Fatoyinbo from everywhere I have held him in unforgiveness. I do it first for myself and I also do it for him.” Reflecting on her growth, she realized that she could reframe her narrative and no longer view herself as a victim. This realization prompted her to step away from a documentary project that had originally been planned to detail her experiences, as she felt it no longer aligned with her personal journey.
Peters also shared an enlightening conversation she had recently with a woman she met at a mutual friend’s event. During their discussion, the woman revealed that she had once dated Fatoyinbo, a revelation that triggered memories for Peters about her own experience. She recalled how, in 2009, when she first attended COZA, her childhood upbringing had instilled a reverence and fear of pastors, leading her to struggle with confusion and pain after her encounter with Fatoyinbo. “I believed every pastor who preached on the pulpit had passed this scripture’s litmus test,” Peters said, quoting Titus 1:6-9, which outlines the qualities of a good elder.
The emotional toll of her experience with Fatoyinbo was compounded by her deep-rooted beliefs about pastors and the shock of her own perceived failure. She shared how, after seeking help, she was met with skepticism and blame, and it wasn’t long before she chose to share her story publicly in a blog post. “My life was destroyed indeed until it started to build itself back up—rising Phoenix style,” Peters reflected. However, for nearly a decade, she continued to grapple with the emotional fallout, often dragging others down the same destructive path.
It was only recently, in what she described as a "lightbulb moment," that Peters began to see things differently. “It wasn’t that he did something special or weird. It was that I was a naive girl who was in big trouble and tried to save herself,” she recalled. This moment of clarity allowed her to realize that she had the power to rewrite her story and let go of the bitterness she had held toward Fatoyinbo.
Following a revealing conversation with the woman, who shared her own experiences with powerful men in the church, Peters began to humanize Fatoyinbo in her mind. “The beautiful lady who spoke to me had humanized Biodun in my mind,” she admitted, recognizing that Fatoyinbo, like many others, carried his own burdens. This realization led her to withdraw from a documentary project that had initially been part of her healing process. “Did I want my name and face and brand on it? The answer was no!” she stated, affirming that she no longer wanted to dwell on the past.
Peters’ journey culminated in a powerful declaration: “I release Biodun Fatoyinbo from everywhere I have held him in unforgiveness. I do it first for myself, and I also do it for him.” She sent an email that day to withdraw from the #survivingbiodun documentary, experiencing a profound sense of release. “I felt something release. Like my shoulders literally dropped, and my breath felt steady,” she recalled.
In the end, Peters embraced a sense of peace and closure, affirming that she had come full circle. “It is TIME,” she proclaimed, welcoming the changes unfolding in her life. With her forgiveness, Peters emphasized that she no longer viewed herself as a victim. “Biodun Fatoyinbo, I realize now, 13 YEARS AFTER, that indeed ALL THINGS HAPPEN AS THEY SHOULD. And I am nobody’s victim.”
In this moment of healing, Peters concluded, “This is what it means to be SAVED,” ready to embrace the new season of her life.
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