Christian Band MercyMe Involved in Fatal Car Accident

By Josh Kimball|Christian Post Reporter

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Popular Christian rock band MercyMe was involved in an automobile accident Saturday that resulted in the deaths of two people and the hospitalization of a third.

“Car just hit our tour bus,” tweeted MercyMe frontman Bart Millard from his iPhone around an hour after the early morning accident. “We are ok, but 2 of the 3 in the car did not make it. The one that did is pregnant. Please start praying.”

According to The Associated Press, police in Fort Wayne, Ind., were told by witnesses that the tour bus was going through a green light about 1:15 a.m. Saturday when the car made a left turn in front of it.

Fort Wayne police officer Liza Thomas told AP that two passengers in the car died and the driver was in critical condition after losing her baby.

In a second tweet made roughly four hours after the accident, Millard had reported that the woman and the 35-week-old fetus were in stable condition.

“Can't sleep. Officers left to notify families of their loss. My heart aches. Girl driving is 35 wks pregnant. Both are stable,” he wrote around 5 a.m.

MercyMe was on their way to a show at the Six Flags theme park in St. Louis, which has been rescheduled for Sept. 5.

No injuries had been reported on the tour bus.

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weekenderman »

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:39 pm Agree: 5 Disagree: 0

From MercyMe's publicist this afternoon:

"August 12, 2009

Along with many of you, we have learned of the passing of the driver of the car from the accident on Saturday. Our hearts continue to break for these families and all those who knew them. We continue to pray and ask your prayers for everyone affected by this accident, that God would bring healing, comfort, peace and understanding at a time when they are desperately needed.

Bart, Mike, Jim, Nathan, Barry & Robby
MercyMe"
wowie »

Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:22 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Authorities say a Fort Wayne woman has died days after the car she was driving hit a Christian bands tour bus, causing a wreck that took the life of her unborn baby and the two passengers who with her.

18-year old Kara Klinker had been in critical condition at a Fort Wayne hospital since the crash which took place at about 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 8. She passed away at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local_wane_fourth_tour_bus_crash_victim_dies_200908121022

I'm sorry to be the one to post that :o(
weekenderman »

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:59 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

"Late last night MercyMe posted an updated statement about the accident their bus was involved in this past Saturday morning in Ft Wayne, IN. We are passing along this statement at the band’s request, and also due to the numerous inquiries we have received for the band:

MercyMe would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and prayers that have been said not only for them, but for the families affected by this tragic accident. We have been in continued communication with the chaplaincy program at the Ft. Wayne Police Department, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by this situation.

Every night on stage when we introduce our song, “Bring the Rain”, we talk about God being in control. If we believe what we say, then we must continue to look at how He will get the glory through this, and bring healing to so many.

We resumed our touring schedule in Milwaukee Monday evening. Before beginning the concert Bart addressed the crowd for all of us, expressing our heartbreak for the families in Ft. Wayne and our desire to pray for the families and for the young lady who still remains hospitalized. The crowd joined us in prayer specifically praying for healing, comfort, peace and understanding. We thank all of you for continuing to pray.

Bart, Mike, Jim, Nathan, Barry & Robby
MercyMe"
Jehovahnissi »

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:48 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

aaron,

... i can't get to the link, :O)

Is there any other way i can hear the hymn ?
I might post it in FB, :O)

GOOD morning, btw,
and GOD BLESS!!!
aaron.e »

Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:02 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Jehovahnissi,

Glad you were blessed by the video!

I Timothy 1:17 - "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Here's a fitting hymn:
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=Tkx8WAycYAc&feature=related
Jehovahnissi »

Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:40 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

aaron ,

Amen, brother!

“I will bring (them)...through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are My people,'
And they will say, 'The LORD is my God'
Zechariah 13:9
Knight »

Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:03 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

weekender,
I am not going to debate about the merits of debating...

It looked to me like things were going to degenerate into a pointles discussion with far too many points of view to be useful. Perhaps I judged wrongly.
aaron.e »

Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:46 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I know that this may not seem immediately relevant, but watch it through to the end and you'll see why I thought to include it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s
HyperionOverseer »

Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:27 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

It's always hard to swallow death like this, it'll hurt that mother now to have survived this and those with her have died.

Let's just pray the spirit of despair and darkness don't set in because of this.
weekenderman »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:03 pm Agree: 6 Disagree: 5

Why would this not be the proper format, Knight? I think it's the PERFECT occasion to address this issue, as when everything is "honky-dory" the attention of people is not drawn to issues of life and death.

Besides, it's not like we can ask all the trolls and other God-haters who frequent this site to bow their heads and say a prayer for the victims of this tragic incident. But what we CAN do is explain to them (using Scripture and personal examples) what the Bible teaches about "when bad things happen to good people."

My youngest brother and his wife lost a newborn infant a number of years back. People asked them how a loving God would allow something like that to happen, and that created the perfect opportunity for them to be a witness to their unsaved friends.
Knight »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:46 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

weekender & Jehova - While I respect your intentions (and share them) I am not sure that this is the proper format. Regardless, people will do as they will.

I was merely expressing an opinion and hope that things do not go too far.
Daniel Paul »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:20 pm Agree: 7 Disagree: 5

"What was God thinking when he planned THIS one out? "

He was thinking that man has to have a free will to love or not to love. With that freedom comes responsibility like following traffic laws. Not doing what is right simply because we have the freedom to do so can have deadly and eternal consequences.

Take homosexuality for example....
Mark@hereiblog »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:38 am Agree: 7 Disagree: 2

Praying for those involved. What a testimony that the Mercy Me folks are concerned more about those involved in the accident than the accident itself.
Jehovahnissi »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:37 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 3

Good morning weekender,

..no problem here,brother... :O)

Have a blessed day!!

Knight,
...nothing to be concerned about..thanks!
Have a blessed day! :O)
weekenderman »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:36 am Agree: 5 Disagree: 3

Knight: I think what happened with the Mercy Me tour bus provides an excellent chance for believers on this blog to explain Bible-based theology. There's a lot of "bad hermeneutics" out there (false interpretations of Scripture), and as several have already stated on this thread Christians now (because of this "accident" that happened) have a wonderful chance to explain how everything works for a purpose, and how these bad things only happen because sin entered the world.
Jehovahnissi »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:32 am Agree: 6 Disagree: 3

newcreation wrote:..." Ya know people that blame this on God have a skewed view on his love.

God is soverign but everything that happens isn't his will.

Like this. When Jesus died it forever satisfied the wrath of God on man. I will be praying for everyone involved including the possible misrepresentation of God and making him out to sound like a complete jerk.
-------------------------------------------------------

Let me ask you about what you meant to say about God's soveriegnty and His will with your example --Jesus CHrist's death on the cross.... Do you mean it was not GOd's decree that Jesus die on the cross to be the propitiation of our sins?

Gen 3:15 was God's first stated prophecy of Christ's sufffering on the cross.

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

To reiterate the meaning of Rom 8:28, we get the same comfort in Psalm 139, v16 which reads:

"...your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."

.. the believer cannot be removed from the supporting, comforting presence of Almighty God. Should the persecutor take his life, his soul will the sooner ascend to heaven. The grave cannot separate his body from the love of his Saviour, who will raise it a glorious body. No outward circumstances can separate him from his Lord. While in the path of duty, he may be happy in any situation, by the exercise of faith, hope, and prayer.
weekenderman »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:31 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

Whoops, I didn't read everything newcreation wrote last night when I welcomed her to the site.

Jeho expresses nothing but love for God and for Truth on this blog, newcreation. Do not be fooled by the "wannabes" on this site who pose as Christians while refusing to repent of their abominations.
Knight »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:31 am Agree: 7 Disagree: 0

This is a very sad event. Let us not use this as a forum to debate theology. It would be disrespectful to those who are mourning the loss of loved ones.

There are plenty of other outlets for such discussion.
Jehovahnissi »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:14 am Agree: 8 Disagree: 0

newcreation wrote:.."..all things work out for his purpose FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM mr jehovanissi"
---------------------------------------------------------

..you have an angry icon there, i see, but you just repeated the verse i quoted...Rom 8:28...

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

...i don't know what is your problem, miss, but be careful what you say..
Knight »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:17 am Agree: 5 Disagree: 0

I had not heard about this and I live in Fort Wayne. (Shows how much I pay attention to local news...)

I thank God that the members of the group are ok. May God comfort the families of those who were lost.
wowie »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:58 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

Amen Joe.

Here is a link about the 17 year old who died.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local_wane_ftwayne_Family_mourns_teen_killed_in_crash_200808092244
Joe12234 »

Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:37 am Agree: 7 Disagree: 1

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Homoousia316 »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:59 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 11

Flagged as inappropriate. show Free will my behind. God punishes these folks for doing the wrong thing *before* they knew right from wrong? And because of that, a car crashes into a Christian rock band's tour bus? Are your screws on right? hide
weekenderman »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:32 pm Agree: 7 Disagree: 1

Welcome to this site, newcreation, and thanks for your comments. Our God is indeed an awesome God!
newcreation »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:02 pm Agree: 7 Disagree: 5

all things work out for his purpose FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM mr jehovanissi

stop putting things on God and saying awful things on this bleak sad post
newcreation »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:59 pm Agree: 8 Disagree: 3

Ya know people that blame this on God have a skewed view on his love.

God is soverign but everything that happens isn't his will.

Like this. When Jesus died it forever satisfied the wrath of God on man. I will be praying for everyone involved including the possible misrepresentation of God and making him out to sound like a complete jerk.
weekenderman »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:21 pm Agree: 8 Disagree: 0

Homo: God's ways are not our ways, but death is a result of sin in this world, which is not God's fault. God gave man free will in the Garden of Eden, and man chose his own way instead of the perfection that God offered. As a result, ever since the Garden we live in bodies plagued by sickness and death -- and sometimes killed by freak "accidents."

The good news is that we have eternity to anticipate (if we are Christians) and we also have the Word of God to guide us through this life. Who knows what blessings will someday arise out of this incident. We just have to trust God.
Homoousia316 »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:24 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 17

Flagged as inappropriate. show What was God thinking when he planned THIS one out? hide
steveh20 »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:40 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 1

Cheers, hope grandma is feeling a little better.
wowie »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:48 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

Hi steveh2o :o)

No, I don't work there, I'd love to, but that would be one crazy long commute. My husbands grandma was transported there during the concert with kidney failure, so we went to sit with her after the concert. (She's doing a little bit better) It was a verrry long day.

Jehovahnissi- I love your posts :o)
Jehovahnissi »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:02 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 1

August 9, 2009

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou [art] with me; Thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me. (Psalms 23:3-4)

The Lord leads us in the paths of righteousness and sometimes those paths lead through the valley of the shadow of death. Though it is hard to walk through these valleys, we can praise Him because He leads us
into the valley of the shadow of death and not the valley of death itself. Take heart that even in these tremulous times, the Lord's hand is mighty. And truly, we need fear no evil!

blueletterbible.org

========================================================

..... i thank God for you brethren, wowie, weekender, prophet. dp, believer,john. gibbs, mathese, delight, O4H, etc ..for being God's channel of blessing and comfort to others who find themselves walking through the valley of death but most specially to You our Lord and Shepherd Jesus CHrist who carries us through!

Be Still, My Soul
-------------------
-vocal point

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKGGUJoRvPs&feature=related
steveh20 »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:16 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 2

Hi wowie, I'm intrigued, what where you doing at the hospital when the pregnant girl was bought in as it was about say 4 hours at max after the accident(going by article), do you work there? If so you must have been tired...
weekenderman »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:30 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

Thanks Wowie and Jeho (funny that one of our troll friends gave us thumbs-downs -- shows what they truly think about love).

BTW, one of my daughters was at a Christian concert tonight, and when she returned home just now she said the entire audience prayed tonight for the families involved.

What a wonderful God we serve, and what a wonderful chance to share the gospel of our Lord with the saved and unsaved around us (including on ChristianPost.com). :)
wowie »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:18 am Agree: 5 Disagree: 2

This came close though :o)

God With Us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8eOGhLzuVA&feature=related
wowie »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:03 am Agree: 12 Disagree: 2

Praise God, thank you Weekender and Jehovahnissi, no accidents and no coincidences either. He knows that I needed exactly what you both posted.

BTW, my favorite part of the concert...the whole stadium sang Amazing Grace....thousands of people....No offense to MercyMe because I love their music.. but nothing they sang could beat that.
Jehovahnissi »

Sun Aug 09, 2009 12:27 am Agree: 5 Disagree: 5

AMen,wowie and weekender....

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

It is well with my soul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgjUpBS5r2I

I Will Lift My Eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtAjrNqEsoM
weekenderman »

Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:24 pm Agree: 8 Disagree: 4

Even though we might not realize it at the time, God is in control of all that happens in this world. Praise Him that the tour bus involved in this incident (there are not "accidents" in God's sight) was filled with praying Christians!
wowie »

Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:03 pm Agree: 9 Disagree: 1

Dear God please be with all the people affected by this :o(
I went to this concert last night, was at the hospital when they brought the pregnant girl in on the helicopter. Saw the accident, but detoured home, didn't see the bus...I had no idea this was what was going on :o(

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