Another heartbreaking tragedy happened this past Sunday morning, while most of us were either in church or had been during those few hours.
The congregation at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas were probably singing or listening to a message much like we were doing that same morning. A gunman came in, walked down the center aisle and came back up shooting, killing 26 people and wounding 20 more.
Please pause wherever you are and pray for them.
As a pastor myself, the pain and suffering the families and friends of this congregation are going through right now is unimaginable to me. How would I feel if I was Pastor Frank and Sherri Pomeroy facing this tragedy, who along with so many members of the congregation, lost their 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle.
Many reading this are pastors. I’m sure all of us will reevaluate the security situation at our churches and I think that we must. Before our next service, I will meet with security workers, police or ex-military members of our congregation and reinforce the security at the church I pastor and all of the future Praise Chapel events.
But today, my thoughts and prayers are toward Pastor Frank and Sherri Pomeroy, the congregation along with their families.
What can I do? What can we do?
1. Let’s all commit to pray for them.
2. Send cards and letters of sympathy. Here is Pastor Pomeroy’s email, pastor@ssfb.org. The church mailing address is, P.O. Box 115, Sutherland Springs, Texas 78161.
3. We have set up a donation site with Praise Chapel International (Click here) for those who want to join Praise Chapel in sending a gift to the pastors showing our support in a tangible way.
With all the news coverage and the depth of this tragedy, I know a lot of people will be sending cards and donations. I still want us to send something to them as a group of fellow pastors and Christians in Praise Chapel Fellowship.
I pray for all my brothers and sisters in the Lord today. I pray for God’s protection over you and your families and loved ones.
Larry Neville larry@praisechapel.com, FACEBOOK,