I assume all of you have heard the horrifying news: Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, was shot to death during a Sunday morning service. My only thought this morning is this: Let's pray.
Pray for the wife and two children of Fred Winters, for a peace that passes understanding.
Pray for the people of First Baptist Church, for the Body to rise up in love and encouragement and healing.
Pray for the other ministers on staff at First Baptist who will play significant roles in the lives of many hurting congregants, for pastoral strength and wisdom.
Pray for the churchgoers who quickly responded to the event as it was unfolding and were injured in the process, for their continued healing.
Pray for the assailant who is in critical condition from self-inflicted wounds, for his own healing, both physical and spiritual. Though we do not know much about his story right now, we do know that hurting people hurt people.
Posted by Brian Lowery at 11:37 AM on March 9, 2009
Comments
I agree. It is incidents such as this where in this 21st century, it's sad but trained security may be needed at all churches.
I have even heard of finance committees who have been robbed where if trained security were on site it may have been prevented.
-Be Empowered
Carlton Worthen
Posted by: Carlton Worthen on March 12, 2009