Restoration Church lead pastor Peter Sondergeld‘s sermon after murder revelation

A Toowoomba pastor of a church where respected psychologist Frances Crawford was a member of gave a passionate sermon about injustice coming “very close” to home.

A pastor of a Toowoomba church where Frances Crawford was a beloved member has given a passionate sermon about injustice coming “very, very close” to home.

Restoration Church lead pastor Peter Sondergeld held a sermon on Sunday (October 6) following the police announcement that it would be alleged Frances Crawford, 49, had been murdered.

Mr Sondergeld said on Sunday that “injustice has come very, very close to us as a church”.

“They believe the death of Frances Crawford, who’s been a member of the church for eight years, was not an accident, it was a murder,” Mr Sondergeld said.

Image of Frances Crawford supplied by her family.

“So I want to take the opportunity to give you some additional pastoral thoughts to help you walk through this next phase.”

Mr Sondergeld went on to preach generally about injustice in a passionate sermon to his congregation, guiding them on ways to process what’s in front of them.

Frances was a respected psychologist in Toowoomba who was deeply connected to her faith and a part of the Restoration Church for eight years.

Lead pastor Peter Sondergeld speaking about Frances Crawford during a sermon at the church on October 6.

“I would say to you we have to deal with evil and injustice on a daily basis,” Mr Sondergeld said.

“Evil, sin, is a wrecker which wrecks the good things that God has made.”

Mr Sondergeld said that God wanted them to always cry out for justice.

“It cries out for justice. An injustice has been done, and there’s a cry connected to it.

“The more grievous the injustice, the stronger tends to be the cry.

“He wants us to cry out for justice.”

Mr Sondergeld went on to say there was also a “place for righteous anger”.

The home of Frances Crawford where she was found dead on July 30. QLD Police

“One of the things righteous anger does is it cries out for justice … and cries out for mercy for victims.”

He then goes on to list the things in the Bible that God hates.

Mr Sondergeld concluded the sermon by answering questions from the audience, including from one member who asked about Frances’ three adult children who were also members of the church.

“Is support being given to the three Crawford children that were part of this church? The answer is yes. There’s a number of us who are well-connected to them, providing support to them and also doing what we can to provide support to the family, beyond that, as well.”

Robert Crawford arrives at Ipswich Police Station. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Frances’ husband Robert Crawford was this week charged over her murder at their Lockyer Valley home on July 30.

Police will allege Crawford murdered Frances before moving her body and calling triple-0, where he told emergency services she had been involved in a lawnmower incident.

Originally published as Restoration Church lead pastor Peter Sondergeld‘s sermon after murder revelation