First Baptist Church Pastor Shot, Killed: Survivors Request Prayer

Please: Pray for People Connected with FBC, Maryville

A few hours ago, someone walked into a church in Illinois, shot the pastor, and was then restrained by parishioners.

First Baptist Church of Maryville's pastor, Fred Winters, is dead. Apparently there are three men at a hospital - one of them dead when he arrived. That would probably be pastor Winters.

From the First Baptist Church, Maryville website:

"A prayer service will be held tonight at 6:00pm, March 8, 2009, at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, IL.

"For more location specific information, please visit Metro's web site . Please note the included information on construction and Google Maps reference.

"Please continue to pray."

This household has prayed for the people in that church. I wouldn't insist that anyone else do the same: but it sounds like a good idea.

(from KDSK-TV, used w/o permission)

Why Pray?

Outsiders, and some insiders, knowing the unpleasantness that followed Martin Luther's posting of discussion topics in Wittenberg, might think that Baptists and Catholics wouldn't get along. At all.

Fact is, we aren't on the same page, quite, but we are on speaking terms, officially and otherwise. Besides, Christians in general pray for other people.

As for why anyone would pray - that's a huge topic, and my family has already started eating. No time for that, now.

In the news:

• "1 dead in Illinois church shooting, hospital says"
  CNN (March 8, 2009)
• "1 Dead In Illinois Church Shooting"
  CBS2Chicago (March 8, 2009)
• "BREAKING NEWS: Pastor shot at Maryville, Illinois church dies"
  KDSK-TV (March 8, 2009)

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Update (March 9, 2009)

• "Authorities plan to charge Illinois church suspect"
  The Associated Press (March 9, 2009)
• "Report: Illinois Church Gunman Was Mentally Ill"
  FOXNews (March 9, 2009)