My friend sent me this email. Please pray!
As many of you have probably heard the news by now, New Life Church here in Colorado Springs (our church of 11 years) had a very traumatic day related to a gunman entering our building and shooting at several of our church family members,killing one. My immediate family did not witness these events as we attended the early service at 9 and we were at home at the time of the shooting. We have many friends that attend the later service and have talked to as many people as we can think of to make sure they are alright. One of our friends was working with the children's church today and he was one of the witnesses to the event. He also lead the effort of getting children and sunday school teachers to safety by hiding in closets and in storage bins.
Currently the status is that 1 person was killed, and 3 others were shot, 2 being in fair condition and 1 is critical. Here is a quick status of our prayer requests:
1. Wisdom and discernment on how to explain this situation to our many children. (many were in the midst of this and were locked into various classrooms and closets for over 45 minutes) Our kids are baffled as to why this would happen at a church, but seem to be ok for the time being.
2. That fear will NOT be crippling to our church body and distract what God has planned for us as a body on how to carry on at this juncture.
3. That our new pastor (of 3 months) will be attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading on how to walk us through this event. (this is on top of the fact we had a very big mess last year this time with our former pastor stepping down due to various indiscretions with extensive national media.)
4. For the families directly impacted in this. (There has been no word as to the identities of those involved as of yet, and we are all bracing for this as the info will probably come tomorrow.)
Praises:
1. That there was a security guard on duty that was able to stop the plan this man had for the church. (he had over 300 rounds with him and a 1000 in his car)
2. That several people he shot at were not hit. At least 2 witnesses shared they were shot at nearly point blank and were not hit.
3. That he did not arrive to the church earlier, as 30 minutes prior the church was fully packed.
4. That we had a snow last night that kept many folks home.
http://www.newlifechurch.org
I just reread this note and it seems completely and utterly surreal that I have even written this! I must say, at times like this we are VERY encouraged to have a church family and friends like you all to shoulder these situations. But most of all a Heavenly Father we can call out to in times of trouble, for His help and care.
Hug your family and love ones a little bit tighter today!
Blessings to you all!
Tim and Dacia
As many of you have probably heard the news by now, New Life Church here in Colorado Springs (our church of 11 years) had a very traumatic day related to a gunman entering our building and shooting at several of our church family members,killing one. My immediate family did not witness these events as we attended the early service at 9 and we were at home at the time of the shooting. We have many friends that attend the later service and have talked to as many people as we can think of to make sure they are alright. One of our friends was working with the children's church today and he was one of the witnesses to the event. He also lead the effort of getting children and sunday school teachers to safety by hiding in closets and in storage bins.
Currently the status is that 1 person was killed, and 3 others were shot, 2 being in fair condition and 1 is critical. Here is a quick status of our prayer requests:
1. Wisdom and discernment on how to explain this situation to our many children. (many were in the midst of this and were locked into various classrooms and closets for over 45 minutes) Our kids are baffled as to why this would happen at a church, but seem to be ok for the time being.
2. That fear will NOT be crippling to our church body and distract what God has planned for us as a body on how to carry on at this juncture.
3. That our new pastor (of 3 months) will be attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading on how to walk us through this event. (this is on top of the fact we had a very big mess last year this time with our former pastor stepping down due to various indiscretions with extensive national media.)
4. For the families directly impacted in this. (There has been no word as to the identities of those involved as of yet, and we are all bracing for this as the info will probably come tomorrow.)
Praises:
1. That there was a security guard on duty that was able to stop the plan this man had for the church. (he had over 300 rounds with him and a 1000 in his car)
2. That several people he shot at were not hit. At least 2 witnesses shared they were shot at nearly point blank and were not hit.
3. That he did not arrive to the church earlier, as 30 minutes prior the church was fully packed.
4. That we had a snow last night that kept many folks home.
http://www.newlifechurch.org
I just reread this note and it seems completely and utterly surreal that I have even written this! I must say, at times like this we are VERY encouraged to have a church family and friends like you all to shoulder these situations. But most of all a Heavenly Father we can call out to in times of trouble, for His help and care.
Hug your family and love ones a little bit tighter today!
Blessings to you all!
Tim and Dacia
