“Resident Field Education” is the Seminary’s program that assigns students to local congregations and institutions to observe and participate in ministry. One seminarian serves at a church in the heart of the city and also is a chaplain for the police department. What follows is his account of an experience earlier this week.
"Today, a church member and a newly baptized child of God (11 year old girl), were in the neighborhood handing out flyers for our Christmas Eve service. Suddenly, gun shots began to ring out in the neighborhood. I pushed the young girl with me into an alcove, then got her across the street to the church member I was with. I then jumped the fence and ran to where the shots were. As I approached, I saw two men on the ground, wounded. I called the police as I applied pressure to their gunshot wounds, and when they arrived there were two officers I knew well. They said these two men were gang members, and this was a gang related shooting. I stayed with the officers for a while before heading back to the church. As I walked back, I noticed the blood on my hands and began to cry. I cried for the kids of that neighborhood, who experience this daily. I cried for the people who have no hope. I cried for the community, as it experiences destruction. I realized then, more than ever, how in need we are of a Savior. Come, Lord Jesus, come... Save us."
“O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease and be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”
The only reason we can rejoice is Jesus, who came and promises to come again. “Come and save us, O Lord our God.”
Comments