Forwarder's note: This is quite lengthy. Estimate 15-20 min. to read.
Dear friends,
This was forwarded to me through the grapevine, originating with a church
member at Wedgwood. We continue to express to you the glory of God being
Spread in our community and Around the world through this tragedy...this
report will give you a clearer picture. And REMEMBER, "not the half has
been told"!
Read on... 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 5020)
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 manytimes
over.
"I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is
being reported all over the world." Romans 18
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 39) 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. 16). 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!
In Christ,
Christa
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