- Our prayers for comfort go to all the families and friends of the 50+ people killed in the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. According to news reports, the gunman, Omar Mateen, pledged allegiance to ISIS in a 9-1-1 phone call. This event now marks the largest death toll from a shooting spree in U.S. history. You can read more coverage of this terrible tragedy in several news outlets, including, for example, CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/
- In a separate and unrelated incident, Christina Grimmie, a former “The Voice” contestant, was signing autographs for fans after a performance in Orlando when a man walked up to her and fatally shot her. An article at The Gospel Herald reports that she was a committed Christian:
Grimmie achieved much interest in her version of the song “In Christ Alone,” and she had indicated the Bible is her favorite book. She had described herself as a “full-on Christian who loves Jesus.” Her lyrics reflected her morals and beliefs, and how she lived her life. In her public profiles, she stated Jesus was her “Lord and Savior,” and that she sung for Him.
We applaud her witness and pray for those who will miss her.