This e-mail, apparently forwarded from a member of Wedgwood, is one of hope and encouragement that once again reminds us how God can take even the most tragic circumstances and tranform them into a powerful testimony of his love and desire to see more of his children brough in to a personal relation with him through his son Jesus Christ. The fields are white - ready for the harvest - as you read this pray for revival in in your own lives, families, churches, and communities. God Bless Dewayne >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From: H EVANS >> >>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 land >>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 flowerbeds 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 broadcasted 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 >> >> >> >> > _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC! http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
