On Sunday, March 8, 2009, a little after our 8:15 service began, a man entered First Baptist Church and fired several gunshots at our Senior Pastor, Dr. Fred Winters. Pastor Winters was taken to the hospital but died of his wounds.
Please pray for Dr. Winter’s family, our two brave members who were injured when they stopped the assailant, for the assailant himself and his family, and for our church members as they deal with this tragic loss.
For all the people of Maryville, IL; for all worshipers everywhere who may now understand how vulnerable we all are to the violence and hatred embedded in this world; for the family of the Rev. Dr. Winters, his widow and two children; for the person who is responsible for this (please note the church asks for prayers for the assailant . . .) - please lift your hands and hearts to heaven for presence, peace, healing, and mercy.
