March 8, 2009
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Pastor Killed
As I mentioned in my photoblog, I knew the pastor who was shot today at his church. Here is the link: Link
I was friends with him in the more general sense. We talked a few times at conferences. We then went to lunch a few times. We lived in the same area when I lived in Illinois. One of my best friends is a close friend of his. In fact, I talked to a few of his friends today. Everyone is trying to get information.
I had asked him a year or two back to have his church services broadcasted on xanga TV. He was willing to do it if I would attend his church but I was already involved in another church.
Someone walked into his church today and killed him. You hear about church shootings and school shootings but you look at them differently when you know the victim.
Comments (115)
Definitely so =(
Again, I’m sorry, and I’m sorry you found out the way you did.
I am sorry for your loss, Dan. This was a very tragic story.
That is horrible…but I can’t help but wonder why the congregants thought it was a skit?
Do they know why he was shot, or was it just random violence? Was it done by someone in his congregation?
I hope you’ll feel better soon, Dan.
o_o … I’ve never heard of a church shooting. Not, at least, in the modern sense… man that blows. I can’t imagine how many people are hurt over this..
well…yeah? :$
(((HUGS))) I know your words have comforted his close friends.
That’s awful . . . But at least he (hopefully) knew the Lord.
Very tragic! My prayers for his family and church.
I’m so sorry
Jeepers Creepers….not good, not good at all.
I’m so sorry.
I am sorry to hear that.
I’m sorry to hear that you need him. This is a hard thing for any one to hear, but especially for a friend of that person. I’m sorry this had to happen to your friend.
Oh wow–I’m so sorry to hear about this.
I was very, very sad to hear about this.
rejoice for he is with his creator.
and my most sincere condolences to you. the nameless deaths on tv mean nothing until it affects people you know.
x__x
I know a preacher who was dragged away by a mob when he was praying. He was the nicest guy in the world; never hurt a soul and tried to help whoever he could. They killed him with three spikes and a crossbeam right in front of his family and congregation. Weird thing about it … he wasn’t a victim.
Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry.
sad
What a heinous crime. I am truly disgusted to think someone would think of killing anyone, much less a man of God, in a CHURCH of all places!!!! That is so sad. My heart goes out to you, and to his family. May he rest in peace.
I hope the culprit gets caught and punished. This is truly an unspeakable crime.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Dan…
Omgosh!
That’s horrible! You would think that churches would have some sort of security system, right? Schools do.. 
That’s just horrible, dan. I’m sorry for your loss.
I read about this today!! I’m really sorry for the loss of your friend. News stories really DO hit you differently when you personally know the parties involved.
What a small world… that’s terrible. I feel for his friends and family.
@fivepts - haha really? That’s nuts.
& Wow, I’m so sorry. Death is so scary & sad, it can happen any time which is the worst.
Once again, I’m sorry.
People who hurt-hurt.
sorry to hear of your loss but he was a man of God so let the knowledge that he’s at peace help console you. have any details as to motive emerged?
Very sad
Goes to show you what this world is coming to when you cant attend Church services in the country -
I am so sorry to hear that ):
<3
Wow, all of these senseless killings. Sad.
@emberfly_layouts - It might have helped if Illinois* allowed concealed carry…someone in the audience might have been able to save the preacher’s life.
* Illinois is one of only two states that do not issue CCPs (Concealed Carry Permit)
this is truly tragic and senseless. why is this type of crime happening more and more?!
I didn’t know him, but I live (somewhat) nearby. I was in Sunday school when the youth pastor’s wife (also my age) got a text from her mom that there was a shooting there. She used to attend at this church, and probably knew the pastor.
I was at a church only ten minutes away from there a week ago today.
It really is different when it’s nearby. Or when you know people that were effected by it.
This is terribly tragic. My condolences to you and your friends – sorry for you loss
RIP. Please update us when more information about the motive of the murder is known .
That’s awful….
Dan, I recently had a life-long friend of mine shot and killed, and it turned into a local media circus. I’m not saying I understand your pain, because everyone’s pain is different, but that I know what it is like to hurt and be confused in times like this, and how awful it is to have the media reporting on it constantly. I have been and will continue to pray for the church affected by Fred Winters’ death, and the congregation members that were injured and for you as well, as you begin your grieving process.
I found it helpful to me to avoid googling the name of my dead friend, because many strange and awful things were written by ignorant strangers, and trying to grapple with their thoughtless hatefulness was too difficult for me. If that’s helpful to you, I advise is strongly.
I am honored to pray for you as you begin to grieve.
~ Joy
I’m sorry about this Dan. HUG
that sucks.
what the hell is wrong with people. honestly.
how sad… and how horrifying to see…
I’m sorry for your loss. That’s tragic; who’d shoot an innocent man?
That must be so shocking and painful for you. *hugs*
I’m so sorry Dan…
Very tragic, but he is with the Lord.
Im sorry to hear that. Things become more sad when they are personal. =/
Downright outrageous. Even more so because they cannot link a motive to this crime.
-David
I’m very sorry that such a senseless tragedy has touched you personally. My condolences to you, and your friend’s family, friends, and congregation.
Kathi
senseless… and sad
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. God bless <3
that’s so sad
That is so sad!
I’m sorry to hear.
My condolences. I will be praying for him.
i agree. everything’s different when you know, are close to them.
i’m sorry for your loss
I’m sorry for your loss.
No matter the location (school, grocery store, church) of such a situation like this we always look at it differently when we know the victim. I’m sorry for your loss and am especially saddened at the violence involved.
Not only that but on the news here in LA they covered a story about a guy who got shot at a sports bar in Colton, and he was a good friends cousin.. when I heard about the Pastors shooting it got me thinking… When a guy in a bar gets shot it makes local news.. when a pastor in a church gets shot it makes national news.. Not that I feel like the guy in the bars death was any less horrific, but it really says something about our country, in a positive way, that EVERYONE is talking about this Pastor who was probably loved and cherished by his flock and friends… that it is making news EVERYWHERE… This sounds horrible but it appears there is still hope for us.. People care when things like these happen to men of faith and leadership..it makes news.. I think that kind of shows were still a nation under God in some ways.. believe it or not…
Ok, I’ll stop now.
I’m sorry to hear your friend die.
I’m sorry for your loss. I wish everyone who knew him the best.
I’m so sorry, Dan. My prayers are with you, his friends and family members, and his congregation. I can’t imagine how this must feel to all of you.
It’s ridiculous how you can’t even be safe in church.
But I know the feeling. I was raised Jewish and going to the synagogue terrified me always because I knew a lot of people hated the Jews.
Sorry for your loss.
To think there’d be a shooting at a church =/
And how simple one can go.
I am sad to hear this, but find hope that he is in a better place. My prayers and condolences go out to you and his loved ones. Take care and God bless.
thats sad…smh
Thats just terrrrrrible. I really wish killers and criminals Think about WHO they victimize. Go kill someone whose also a killer, or a drug dealer, gang banger…something….but especially not a person who devotes his time and love to a religion. jesus…..
Yall ppl cant go to 2 different churches? Is it a sin or something? Are you betraying your church if you attend a mass at another church? Is it not the same God whereever you go? Thats……………………………………….. I dont like that.
Us Buddhists ppl can go to any temple and attend any mass we want.
RIP
Gun violence has been increasing, huh? Tragic loss.
I’m sorry about your friend, Dan. *big hugs*
sorry to hear about ure friend my prayers are with u and his familey
huggs kelly xxx
sorry to hear, dan.
I heard this on the radio last night. So sad. I’m sorry for your loss.
Winters deflected the first of the gunman’s four rounds with a Bible,
sending a confetti-like spray of paper into the air in a horrifying
scene worshippers initially thought was a skit, police said.
That sounds pretty scary. If you read the link they think the guy was mentally ill with lesions on the brain formed from lyme disease.
I’m so sorry.
Very sad.
I didn’t know him, but I am a Baptist pastor, and it does make one think. I will be praying for his family and his congregation.
No one is immune from violence. No one is immune from death. Not even pastors. But what happens beyond death — well, that IS something we can do something about.
I am confident that Pastor Winters is now in the company of his risen Lord.
And I thank God for that.
This was just such a senseless killing. I am definitely praying for his family and the church.
I had heard about this! & sadden by it!
My thoughts & prays are with you & his family!!!
*hugs*
That is horrid.
I am sorry for your loss, and for the loss to may others.
x
This church is like 5 minutes away from my house. The community isn’t very big, but we are all in mourning. I didnt know Pastor Winters myself but I have a lot of friends who go the church. We are all truly devastated
that is so horribly sad. I dont know how some one could do that.
Dan,
Let us know how we can help the church and his family.
thanks.
my deepest sympathy. may God bless him and his family. I am sorry
I am sorry for the loss left in th elivesof all who knew him. What a senseless, tragic loss.
There talking about it right now on HLN. What a sad, sad story.
That’s so sad. =(
I didn’t know the pastor, but I know the youth minister at that church and a couple others. Very tragic.
That’s terrible… I wonder why that happened.. I’m so sorry
omg gosh that is so sad i might not be christian but i heard about it on the news this morning and it was soo sad im so sorry about what ever happened in that church and the innocent people who saw it with their own eyes :[
=[
How can someone just walk in a church and shoot him ? That’s sad. R.I.P.
@emberfly_layouts - yes i do believe they should get security systems or atleast a couple of security guards
That’s so horrible.
“He was willing to do it if I would attend his church but I was already involved in another church.”
I don’t understand this exchange. I see it happen all the time in Protestant and Catholic churches to increase attendance and I am not sure I like it. I became Orthodox in part because they were unconcerned with high headcounts.
I live not 5 minutes from this church and indeed this was a man of God. It’s so awful that something like this happened to his family. It’s a sad sign that Satan is still among us.
i just dont understand how someone can walk into a church and KILL someone
R.I.P.
I saw this on TV this weekend, and it freaked me out because I’m from IL…. I still don’t exactly know what happened.
He shall be in a better place.
My condolences.
That’s so sad, I hope they figure out why this happened!!!
I’m sorry for the man, not for you
So differently. How are his friends and family doing?
I’ve always been saddened when I am told a family member or friend (close or not so close) dies. I think not to be shaken says so much about an individual who just seems to “chalk it up.”
@ayceeeeeer - You are very perceptive.
@GrapiesWordsofWisdom - thanks
@ayceeeeeer - You are welcomed. You have been the only one to discern sympathy for the poor guy who got shot, not for Dan who was a passing acquaintance. Dan reminds me of the individual who ‘fasts and prays” so that people will notice him. He has already gotten his reward for all the praying/fasting he does by the attention he gets. And so the same goes with mourning or eulogizing. Do it privately and for those who actually cared for this man….not a xanga site for attention.
Oh Dan, I’m so sorry… I’m not sure what else to say.
There is a huge difference. It’s a shame to hear about such tragedy but it’s devastating to know the victim, even if it’s only casually.
What a way to leave the earth. So horrible.
But he’s with God. Yay!
How sad.