As a father and a pastor I was deeply moved and concerned by the tragedy at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. This column is my own attempt to honor the memories of those who were slain and encourage us all to respond with love to the families and to renew our own faith. If you would like to know more or send your own letters of support here is a web site sponsored by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that contains addresses of the families and more information. This site supplied much of the material used by this column.

http://www.star-telegram.com/specials/99fwshoot/

The Tragedy at Wedgwood

“Jesus called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. ‘If any of you wants to be my follower,’ he told them, ‘you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.’” (Mark 8:34-35)

“And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And he fell to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’ And with that, he died.” (Acts 7:59-60)

Most have heard or read these passages many times but never in our wildest dreams would we think they would apply to almost 21^st century Americans. It’s one thing to read about someone named Stephen being brutally stoned to death 2000 years ago for defending his beliefs. It’s quite another to helplessly watch as television screens display the carnage of innocent children cruelly murdered by an angry gunman, ironically during a youth service celebrating nonviolence.

U   Kristi Beckel was a fourteen-year-old volleyball player described as an “awesome server.” Every night she would wish her parents well and then shout from her bedroom wall, “Good night, I love you!”

U   Shawn Brown was twenty-three and studying at the seminary for his master’s degree and hoped to become a youth minister. He was described as fun loving and eager to learn, studying the guitar and sign language.

U   Susan “Kim” Jones was also twenty-three and lived on campus at the seminary, loved missionary work and was described as having a ready smile that lit up a room.

U   Sydney Browning was the children’s choir director and was a teacher at Success High School who specialized in working with dropouts. She was shot while sitting on a couch in the foyer with a friend. She was thirty-six years old.

U   Justin Ray was seventeen, a devoted Boy Scout who wanted to pursue a career in film and sound production. He was videotaping the service when the gunfire started.

U   Joseph “Joey” Ennis was fourteen, loved playing basketball and spending “family nights” playing board games at home. Just four months ago he wrote this mission statement for a class assignment: My mission in life is to be kind and trustworthy with humor, always keeping promises, especially as a friend, a son and a pet owner.”

U   Cassandra Griffin at fourteen was laid to rest in a bold blue casket with clouds painted on the lid. It was fitting for a young woman described by many as an angel. On either side of the casket floated lime-green balloons in the shape of a frog, representing the motto of the church youth: Fully Rely On God.

Rev. Al Meredith, the pastor of Wedgwood Baptist church asked at Cassandra’s funeral, “How many of you have been to the funeral of a martyr before? This is my fifth one in three days.” 

The Bible teaches that Stephen was not martyred in vain. Thousands of people became Christians immediately following the stoning because of Stephen’s faithful life and his courage facing death. Across the centuries, many Christians faced death simply because they believed in God. History teaches… the death of a martyr is never wasted. Their examples inspired millions.

Our best response is to first, pray and offer God’s comfort and support to the families of those who were slain and injured. Second, we honor the memories of seven martyrs and renew our commitment to “shoulder our cross and follow Christ.” Third, we look for ways to make a positive difference in the lives of lost and forgotten children in our community.

Will this ease the pain and suffering at Wedgwood Baptist church? Of course not! God never promised a life free of tragedy. We are promised comfort during our trials and a holy confidence that the ending will always justify the pain. In the end, we must believe we possess a faith worth dieing for!

Walter Norvell a member of Wedgwood wrote: Please use this event to strengthen the ties in your home and church family. Tell people you love them. Seek forgiveness for wrongs and freely offer forgiveness. Be Jesus to somebody. Invite someone to accept Him as Lord and Savior. You just don't ever know.