The God of All Comfort

Dear Friend,

I was devastated when I heard about the horrific shooting that killed six children and two adults at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence in British Columbia. It is one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history.

At the invitation of a local church, we immediately deployed our Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains to minister in this heartbroken community. They comforted and prayed with grieving residents at memorial sites, vigils, and other locations across the close-knit town of just 2,400 people.

Shortly before the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, our chaplains also responded to a shooting that killed two people in the Cree Nation of Mistissini, in Quebec. The violence came just days after a weeklong church meeting, where many residents put their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized. Chaplains provided emotional and spiritual care for families mourning loved ones, new believers, and all who were affected.

The media coverage for these shootings will fade, but the grief will remain in these communities for a long time. Will you continue to remember these hurting families in your prayers? Please pray that many will find comfort and real hope in the only refuge for their souls: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).

TUMBLER RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

‘Thank you for coming and praying with me’

Tears flowed freely inside a Tumbler Ridge church as youth and parents gathered to grieve and remember loved ones. They were friends, teammates, and schoolmates of the students killed and wounded when a shooter opened fire inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in February.

Some of the youth shared openly, but most sat in silence. Beside them, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains offered quiet support.

At the gathering, one person asked a chaplain to lead them in prayer for one of the girls fighting for her life in the hospital after she was shot protecting her classmates. Together they prayed to the Lord, who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, ESV). Will you join us in continuing to pray for God to protect and restore this courageous young girl?

“It was a part of healing today,” said Linda, a 31-year resident of Tumbler Ridge and church worship leader. “People who don’t normally go to church came out here today just to sit because they find some peace when they come to church.”

Earlier in the day, just as the chaplains arrived, Linda comforted Susan,* a lady who came to the church distraught and anxious. In the aftermath of the tragedy that rocked their beautiful town, “she was looking for some peace,” Linda said.

Linda told Susan about Jesus Christ, who “Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14, NKJV). She explained the Good News of God’s love and asked if Susan would like to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. Susan said yes and prayed to trust Him in repentance and faith.

“It was like her whole countenance changed. She just took a deep breath … and right away she said, ‘I want to be baptized,’” Linda shared. “In the midst of turmoil, in the midst of what’s happening, God still brings peace.”

On the Sunday after the shooting, chaplains were invited to share at a church’s morning service. The sanctuary was packed. One of the pastors later said that 70% of the people in attendance were not regular attenders.

The chaplain gave a Gospel message and asked if people in the congregation wanted to turn from their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Ten hands went up. After the service, chaplains connected with those who raised their hands to pray with them and answer any questions.

One man told a chaplain, “I accepted Christ today. This has been a long time coming for me. I just needed someone to give me the invitation. Thank you for your message.”

As chaplains ministered alongside the local churches, they also provided emotional and spiritual support for grieving residents at memorial sites and vigils throughout the small community.

One chaplain noticed a man crying alone at a memorial site and went to stand with him. The man told the chaplain that he was a teacher in the school. He spoke about the students who were killed, saying, “Those are my kids.”

The chaplain asked if he could pray, and the man agreed but said he was not religious. After the prayer, they hugged and cried together. The man said, “I’m probably the least religious person you’ve ever met, and here I am praying with a stranger. Thank you for coming and praying with me.”

Another man came to the same memorial to sing a song of lament for the children. As he spoke with our chaplains, he started sharing about the struggles he had faced in his childhood. After they prayed for him, the man replied, “No one has ever prayed out loud for me before.”

Families in Tumbler Ridge are experiencing sorrow that most people will never understand. They face a long and difficult road ahead. Please continue to pray for all who are hurting and ask that they may find peace in the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3, ESV). Pray also for the seeds of God’s Word that have been sown through these interactions, that many will surrender their lives to the Lord.

MISTISSINI, QUEBEC

With God’s strength, they forgave the shooter

In January, many people in the Cree Nation of Mistissini, in Quebec, were celebrating a joyful time of God at work in their community. A weeklong church meeting saw residents placing their faith in Jesus Christ and experiencing healing and forgiveness. Then just days later, a tragic shooting claimed two lives and rocked the community.

BG-RRT chaplains were invited to provide comfort and hope to the remote town of around 4,000. During their time in Mistissini, chaplains prayed with over 200 hurting residents.

Our chaplains met with Arlene,* the mother of one of the victims. She and her husband, Robert,* had visited the parents of the alleged shooter and, by God’s grace, expressed their forgiveness. Robert shared his grief and pain with the chaplains and mentioned how his father had always told him, “Be prepared for tragedy in the future.”

When they offered to pray over Robert, his demeanor changed. At the end of the prayer, Robert invited them to attend the family wake and funeral.

Later, our chaplains met with Paul,* who was struggling to process the tragedy. He shared that he has been a Christian for a long time, and his faith has helped him through. The chaplains assured Paul that God is always our refuge and strength. He said this was the first time he felt able to freely talk, share his struggles, and mourn openly. He cried and felt safe to do so.

“Thank you so much for your continuous prayers and support. Through the Rapid Response Team as they minister, our people have learned to smile again through the storm that we are in,” said Marlene, a member of a local church in Mistissini.

Will you continue to pray for this community? Pray that these grieving families and residents will find comfort in the Lord who “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV).

May God bless richly bless you,

*Names and photos changed to protect privacy