Winters killed at FBC Maryville this morning
March 8th, 2009Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill., was killed by a gunman during the worship service this morning.
Fred was a friend of mine from the three years I spent at the Illinois Baptist newspaper. Not a close friend, but a friend nonetheless. Please keep his family and the church in your prayers.
Tim, I heard about this and read about it online, but do you happen to know if they figured out what the motive might have been?
This breaks my heart for this pastor’s family and church family.
I haven’t heard anything about motive.
Another reminder that there’s an unseen spiritual war going on. My pastor brought up some good points in our sermon tonight before we spent some time in prayer for this family, the church, and the attacker (as he is deceived).
Can you imagine being this pastor’s wife and 2 daughters and going to church and having it be a reminder of where this event happened?
Same goes for every church member.
Can you imagine what this attacker is thinking as he wakes up in a hospital bed after he killed a man and planned on killing himself?
Like Tim said - be in prayer for these.
By the way, the wife is named Cindy, the children are Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope.
Pray that God’s word is honored, that we’ll be delivered from evil men, and pray for boldness.
(2 Thess 3:1-5, Acts 4:23-31)
I went to college with Fred at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. He was a great preacher even in the early days. He was a great guy too! He will be missed…
I heard about it Sunday afternoon. What a sad day and a sad world we live in. May God grant all envolved the strength to carry on in our Lords service.
I’m sorry to hear this, Tim. It seems Bro. Winters has touched alot of people I know.
There is a story about him up about http://inside.sbts.edu/