This was written by a teen at the Wedgwood Baptist Church. It is
long but
good!
What God is doing at our church
By now almost everyone has heard of the tragedy that took place
on
Sept.15, when a gunman entered Wedgwood Baptist Church and killed
7
people and injured 7 others before taking his own life.
That morning
had been the day of "See You at the Pole," when students gather
around
their flagpole in the morning to pray for their school and nation.
What the
media hasn't reported, however, is how God has been so evident,
both during
and after the shooting. He has done amazing works!
Before The Shooting:
***Our pastor, Brother Al, had prayed that God would do whatever
it took to
expand the ministry of Wedgwood Baptist Church. Our church
is one that is
used as a model of how NOT to pick a location, because no one
in the world
can find it. Now almost everyone in the world knows exactly
where it is.
>
Evidence of God's Control During The Shooting:
>
***To enter the church, the gunman walked past our children's
playground, which should have been full of kids, but for some
reason
every single children's and preschool class was running late.
No one
had made it to the playground yet.
>
***He fired over 100 bullets into a crowd of over 400, but only
14
people were hit.
>
***He did not shoot the over 60 bullets he still had with him.
>
***The bottom fell off of the pipe bomb he threw, and the bomb
landed
without ever exploding.
***One of the youth that was wounded (she was shielding a disabled
friend with her body) has scoliosis. The curve in her spine directed
the
bullet away from major organs, saving her from serious injury.
>
***Because the first 911 call came in on a police radio, emergency
vehicles were dispatched immediately, without spending precious
time to
verify that call was real.
>
***One of the people in the church at the time was a paramedic,
and he
was able to stop bleeding and stabilize injured people before
the
emergency crews arrived.
>
***Leaders were able to get the children out of the building
without the
kids having to see any victims or any of the mess.
***Each children's worker stayed with his/her class even though
they all had
children elsewhere in the building, and some had teens in the
sanctuary. Not one worker left his or her post.
>
***None of the adults who died have children.
>
***All 7 victims were not just Christians, but bold Christians
who were
passionate about their faith.
>
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is not being done, the saving of many lives."
(Genesis
50:20)
>
Or, what God has done since the shooting:
>
***Many denominations have pulled together to offer help and
support.
One example is the United Methodist Church who sent 15 people
the
following Sunday to cover our childcare. They didn't want any
church
members to have to miss the service because they were taking
care of the
children.
>
***A church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, drove over 5 hours just so they
could
march around our church and pray during our Sunday morning services
***The Fort Worth Police Dept. planted flowers in the flower
beds before we
reentered the sanctuary to worship.
>
***We have received over 10,000 emails, 5000 cards, and $60,000
from all
over the world Al Meredith, our pastor has had the microphone
in his face
continually and has over and over given an outstanding answer
to the reason
for our hope. He presented the gospel
beautifully on Larry King Live
when prompted by a question asked by Vice President
Al Gore.
>
***Because of the live news coverage and interviews, over 200
million
people have heard the gospel because of this tragedy.
>
***Fifteen thousand turned out for a community wide service at
TCU
football stadium. Brother Al gave a very serious challenging
message
calling for a day of fasting and heart searching (Monday the
20th). The
service was broadcast live in its entirety on WBAP 820 which
is a news
station that covers most of north Texas. This same news station
has replayed
our pastor's first press conference due to people calling in
and requesting
to hear his comforting words again.
>
***CNN also broadcast the memorial service live. Amazingly, because
one of
the victim's families lives and works in Saudi Arabia, that country
allowed
the service to be broadcast there as well. In Saudi Arabia it
is illegal to
say the name of Jesus on the street.
>
***Because of that same CNN broadcast, 35 people in Japan gave
their lives to Christ
>
***When President Clinton finally got through to him, Brother
Al ended
their conversation by praying, after gaining permission, for
the Clinton
family.
>
***At several schools, students met around their flagpoles the
next day. At
one school 25 students accepted Christ, and 110 at another.
>
***A teacher led 22 students to Christ in her classroom.
>
***Christian teachers all over North Texas have been able to
share with
their classes because the students are asking questions about
their
teachers' faith.
>
***In Burleson, prayers and Scripture are being said over the
intercom
>
***On the east coast, where "See You at the Pole" was delayed
because of the
hurricane, record numbers of kids showed up to pray.
>
***Governor Bush and the Fort Worth mayor quietly came to our
pastor's
home while the staff were meeting and praying and joined in the
prayer
meeting. This was not political! Only those who are close to
staff
members heard about this; the media never knew.
>
***Governor Bush has visited with our pastor several times, and
Brother Al
has had an impact on him. Just think of the influence our
pastor could have
if Governor Bush is the next president!
>
***A caller to an area Christian radio station said that he didn't
know what
those people had but he wanted it. The DJ proceeded to lead him
to Christ.
Many notes left in front of the church contain the same
sentiment. Those who don't know Jesus want what we have!
***The church has received so many emails asking us how we are
able to
have hope and continue on. There are teams of church member
volunteers
responding to these emails.
>
***My friend Jodi has been praying for her husband for years.
She and
their 4-yr-old daughter were at the church that night.
3 days ago Scott
gave his life to Christ.
>
***We have had over 70,000 hits on our web page which displays
the plan of
salvation in multiple languages.
>
***Many members at Wedgwood Baptist are healing broken relationships
within the body and experiencing spiritual renewal.
>
These are just a few of the miracles that are happening.
God's grace is
almost overwhelming. Every time the gunman fired a bullet,
he intended to
take a life. Yet God turned that around and saved several
lives for each
bullet fired. The faith of those who died has been multiplied
many times
over.
>
"I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because
your
> faith is being reported all over
the world.." Romans 1:8
>
> _________
>
Are you not amazed? May I point out a few things we should
glean from
> this?
>
1. While reading, I was fascinated and amazed that we have
found out
about some of these stories...salvation decisions made in Japan...a
DJ
leading someone to Christ...etc. This is not coincidence.
Note that
God is PRESERVING the testimonies, not by accident, but by Divine
intention.
>
2. The plan of God is magnified and so evident through
these stories:
Do you see how it is His heart's desire to extend the boundaries
of His
kingdom? That "He is not willing that any should perish,
but that all
should come to repentance"? (2 Peter 3:9) His plan
is to save...His
purpose for saving-to receive glory.
>
3. Realize that while He is accomplishing His plan to save
and His
purpose to be glorified, we as Christians are being comforted
and
strengthened. How great the realm of His ability to work!
What perfect
timing He has on every front.
>
4. Have you noticed that YOU are excited to hear the great
things the
Lord is doing? That your heart has been stirred and that
you are
desirous of spreading His glory? Rejoice, for that is the
evidence of
the Holy Spirit in your life. "For it is GOD who works
in you, both to will
and to do His good pleasure" (Phil. 1:6). His good pleasure
is to spread
His glory.
>
5. Last, when was the last time you asked the Lord what
His plan and
purpose was for your life? Do you want to know? If
so, look! He is
showing us RIGHT NOW what it is. We are to mirror His purpose
and plan, and
join Him. Spread His glory, by your own life of worship,
which once
submitted as a "living sacrifice"-will draw people to Him.
>
Please pass this on, for His name's sake. Even sending
e-mails can be
kingdom work! >>