In the Blink of An Eye

One of his church members described Pastor Fred Winters as "a happy soul."  He had good reason to be.

Fred Winters was the loving husband of a wonderful wife and the proud father of two beautiful daughters.  He was by any standard of measure highly successful in ministry.  He bucked the trend set by many evangelical pastors of continually climbing the career ladder by investing a large portion of his working life at one church, and as a result was deeply loved - even revered - by those he had poured his life into.

This past weekend was like any other for Fred Winters. He spent time with his family and made preparations for his Sunday sermon, a message about being contented in the workplace. The title of the sermon was "Come On, Get Happy." 

Sunday morning, too, seemed normal as it began.  Fred came to the church campus, greeted people, and began the first of the day's worship services.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:14)

About fifteen minutes into the early service, the seemingly normal Lord's Day at the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois went horribly, horribly wrong.  Before anyone knew what was happening, a disturbed young man named Terry Joe Sedlacek walked into the service, approached Pastor Winters and opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun.  His first shot obliterated Winter's Bible, which he was holding in front of him.  Three more shots rang out in rapid succession, killing Fred Winters.  The gun jammed and the assailant drew a knife and stabbed himself.  Several courageous church members tackled the young man.  Two of them were injured, but they managed to subdue the man and hold him until police arrived.  One of the injured members, Terry Bullard, 39, was still hospitalized in serious condition this morning.

In the blink of an eye, everything changed for the Winters family. In a horrifying instant a wife became a widow, and two daughters lost their father.  In the blink of an eye, everything changed for the church family at Maryville First Baptist. In a horrifying instant their pastor, their friend, their mentor and role model was taken away from them.  For over twenty years, the lives of Fred Winters and his beloved church family were intertwined.  Now they must deal with the loss of their leader, the loss of their sense of security, and their plans for the future of the church.

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. (Proverbs 27:1)

In the days ahead, many people both inside and outside the faith community will debate why God would allow such a terrible thing to happen to such a good man, such a wonderful family, and such a loving church family.  

The truth is we don't know the why, we just know the Who.  Illinois Baptist State Association Executive Director Nate Adams said it about as well as it can be said:

"Our great God is not surprised by this, or anything. That He allows evil and free will to have their way in tragedies like this is a mystery in many ways. But we know we can trust Him no matter what, and draw close to Him in any circumstances. Let's draw closer to Him and to one another during this terrible tragedy, and renew our faith and obedience to His purposes for however many days we have remaining to serve Him."

Charles Spurgeon famously said that where we could not trace God's hand we could trust His heart.

At the end of the day, would it really matter if we knew the 'why?' Knowing that would not bring Fred Winters back to his family or his church family. It would not change how God is calling those of us the faith community to respond to this tragedy: With love, compassion, mercy, and grace.

The family of First Baptist Maryville is already showing that the life lessons and personal passion of Fred Winters didn't fall on deaf ears.  Members and staff from the church today reached out to the family of the young man who shot their pastor as he stood in the pulpit yesterday.  In the midst of, and even in spite of their grief, they assured the man's family of their love, prayers and concern for them as they, too, struggle to deal with the situation.

Pastor Fred is proud of his people today.  And so is Jesus. I also have no doubt He welcomed Fred to his new home with the words "Well done."

Please join me in praying for the Winters family and the First Baptist Maryville family in the days ahead.