Christian leaders all over the country spoke out about the importance of faith after a shooting at Santa Fe High School took the lives of eight students and two teachers on Friday.
Houston-area pastor Doug Stringer told Charisma News that police have requested that pastors be on standby for the community as more information is released.
Stringer acknowledged that while everyone has different political and spiritual viewpoints, its up to “minsters of the gospels” to be “sensitive and careful” during these times.
“Our job is to be a plumbline of healing and hope, just be the balm of healing during this time,” he said.
Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, described the shooting as a “horrific act of violence,” adding that “Jesus once told us the devil was a murderer from the beginning.”
Christian actor Caleb Castille wrote on Twitter that “young lives are being taken” as adults “argue & refuse to take action.”
Castille also admonished news outlets for placing more focus on the royal wedding that a tragedy closer to home.
Lila Rose, president and founder of Live Action, wrote on Twitter that she was praying for the victims of the shooting and asked God to send “healing and peace down to all those hurting and grieving.”
Rose also touched on the “historic highs of suicides and outbursts of violence against others” in recent times, hypothesizing that it may have to do with families breaking down.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle senior pastor Jim Cymbala asked for prayers for the victims and families of the shooting, saying, “We mourn the lives lost and pray for the Santa Fe community and for our nation as a whole.”
President of the Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Franklin Graham also expressed prayers for “all those affected” by the tragedy.
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriguez also expressed his thoughts for the victims, writing, “Praying for Santa Fe” on Twitter.
Ronnie Floyd, President of the National Day of Prayer, asked his Twitter followers to “stop whatever you are doing and pray right now” for the victims of the shooting.
Read more at Christian Leaders React to Santa Fe High School Shooting That Left 10 Dead.
