Praying for our brethren in Maryville, Illinois, and thankful for my cousin.

The news was tragic this morning as our brethren had their worship disrupted.

I just wanted to brag on my cousin, Darin Hartman, the first EMT on the scene at FBC Maryville, in Illinois.

Many times I've told him he's a hero for what he does there as an EMT and assistant fire chief for the Maryville Fire Department.

I'm also proud of the Baptist folks who wrestled with and subdued the gunman, incurring knife wounds themselves.

I pray that God would glorified in Maryville as His people represent Him well.

From the church website:

"A Message About Today’s Loss
Today, 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.

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."