Members at New Life Church are not quick to question God's authority, said one young worshiper. So when a gunman dawns on the church campus and causes the death of two teenage sisters before being shot down by a church security guard, the church isn't angry or in despair and asking God "why?"
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(Photo: AP Images / Ed Andrieski)Youth With a Mission members pray during a memorial service for Tiffany Ann Johnson and Philip Harold Crouse in Arvada, Colo., on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Tiffany Johnson and Philip Crouse, young missionaries, were slain by a rampaging gunman early Sunday morning.
"God didn't do this. That was Satan attacking," Savannah Miller, 14, of New Life told The Los Angeles Times.
Rather than questioning God, New Life members are turning to God during this tragic time. Moreover, they're celebrating the miracle of that fateful day.
"God protected so many people here that day," said Miller.
On Sunday afternoon, 24-year-old Matthew Murray shot and killed Stephanie Works, 18, and sister Rachel, 16, at the parking lot of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Twelve hours earlier, the gunman killed Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24, at Youth With a Mission training center in Arvada.
Police in Colorado Springs believe the gunman intended to gun down many more victims at the megachurch before he was shot down by Jeanne Assam, a volunteer security guard, just as he entered the church building. He was carrying an assault rifle, two handguns and as many as 1,000 rounds of ammunition. An autopsy confirmed that the gunman died of a self-inflicted wound.
New Life members called it a miracle that hundreds of lives were saved that day.
The shooting took place just a year after church founder and then senior pastor the Rev. Ted Haggard was fired. A male prostitute had alleged Haggard paid him for sex and methamphetamine. Haggard confessed to "sexual immorality."
While attendance at the church has declined since the scandal, the prominent megachurch had set itself on a new course of recovery with new senior pastor Brady Boyd and 10,000 members. And then this happened.
"The devil has been really trying to break down our church," said Tanner Vanbebber, 15, of New Life to The LA Times. "But I think we're going to come up even stronger."
"This is building our faith," said Chris Gordon, 16. "We must be doing something right in this church if Satan doesn't like it."
"The question, 'Why did God let this happen?' is a stupid one," said Hayden Trobee, 15. "One of the cool things about New Life is, we're not quick to question God's authority."
On Wednesday, the church was packed with families and teens who said they had laid down their anger, fear and questions, to focus on worship.
Survivors at Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Arvada are also moving past the tragedy and placing trust in God.
"Lord, we don't know why two of our dear friends died in this hallway. But although we don't understand why, we trust you," prayed Peter Warren, director of the Denver chapter of Youth With a Mission.
Just days after the shooting, students and leaders at the missionary training center shouted a message to the gunman: "I forgive you, Matthew!"
"The enemy has been defeated and death couldn't hold You down. We're gonna lift our voice in victory, we're gonna make Your praises loud," the students sang on Tuesday. They rededicated the dorm building, where the shooting took place, to God.
Speaking for the first time since the shooting, Charlie Blanch, 22, who was shot in the leg at the center, said on Wednesday, "In the midst of this, I know that God is good. And He's helped my legs heal. I wholeheartedly forgive Matthew Murray, and my prayers go out to his family," according to Rocky Mountain News.
The families of the two YWAM victims have also offered Murray and his family forgiveness.
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Pres. to answer your question, i would say Yes... God showed his mercy when you were still dead in your sins, i can think of several verses in the bible that back that up. Matthew 6:14, Collosians 2:13 and Luke 1 76-78. Now i am not a scholar i am only reading the bible and God is opening my eyes to something new everyday but that is what i take from it...
Slacker - I am curious does God show mercy to "everyone" or only those who are repentful of their sins.? Your definition of God's forgiveness here leads to universalism. God would be unjust to forgive without repentance. So if someone rapes or murders your family do you go to the court and say let him free as I have forgiven him. Certainly not! It is unjust to forgive without repentance.
How can we come to God and dare ask for forgiveness if we are not willing to forgive, take heed forgiveness is not something that these people are throwing around like candy, for someone to come into your church and kill your family and then to honestly and sincerely forgive them is not easy. Trust me, forgiveness is the toughest thing i have had to learn as a follower of Christ. It is thru mercy that we show fogiveness, the same mercy that God showed us.
THIS IS SOOO WRONG!! This is such a misinterpretation of the scriptures. Where in the bible does it say we are to give cart blanche forgiveness to evil-doers such as this murderous gunman. Does God go around forgiving sinners freely? NO! He requires them to REPENT AND then he forgives them! Are we to go and let all criminals free from prisons because we extend the hand of forgiveness?? This would be absurd and morally irresponsible. We are to forgive when the wrongdoer first seeks forgiveness. In Luke 17:3 it states "Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENTS, forgive him." or in the parable of the servant Matt 18:26 notes that the servant owed the king a huge sum of money - note the king did not just freely forgive the debtor of his debt, but only when the servant fell down and repented. Then and ONLY then did the king forgive him of his debt. Folks this is just another sign of the weak and feeble gospel being preached in our churchs. this young man is in hell and will remain there for all eternity! Why?? Because he was not repentant for his actions or sin! We should not forgive unless the wrongdoer is first seeking to be forgiven!
It pleases God, when Faith is displayed. I know that right now, in Heaven, A smile is beaming in your direction. I didn't think about 1 year ago initially, but then, to add to that tragic episode, a gunman? Yes, indeed, the liar kills and destroys. But, Jesus came that we might have LIFE! I am praying for your church family that is part of the FULL BODY of CHRIST that needs our care right now. May we bear your burdens, share our faith, see to it that you are well, and let us all PRAISE GOD IN LIKE MANNER - in the face of such adversity as our TIME has come. God Bless and May the joy of the Lord, be your strength. No weapon prospered against you then, nor will it ever! Blessings - FL in NOLA.
To our brothers and sisters in Colorado: You are what Christ is all about. May we all be as inspiring.