Just yesterday a stranger entered First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill., walked down the center aisle in the middle of the 8:15 service, shot and killed Senior Pastor Fred Winters after the two briefly exchanged words.  The gunman was subdued by two church members after drawing a knife and stabbing himself.

From the First Baptist Church website:

On Sunday, March 8, 2009, a little after our 8:15 service began, a man entered First Baptist Church and fired several gunshots at our Senior Pastor, Dr. Fred Winters. Pastor Winters was taken to the hospital but died of his wounds.

Please pray for Dr. Winter’s family, our two brave members who were injured when they stopped the assailant, for the assailant himself and his family, and for our church members as they deal with this tragic loss.

In this day, where uncertainty seems to abound creating an environment in which people are vulnerable in doing things they might not do otherwise, one thing is certain, we, as human beings need a foundation upon which we can live our lives. We at First Baptist Maryville, along with other Christian believers, share this conviction: that foundation is God’s Word. In the pages of the Book we call the Bible, we find the pathway for peace, hope, and a quality of living life despite what circumstances we find ourselves in.

To those who believe in the power of prayer, we covet your prayers right now. 

Please take time to pray for Pastor Fred Winters’ friends, family, loved ones, as well as for the First Baptist Church body.

May the Lord be glorified, even in the midst of this great tragedy. 

You can read the full news story here.