Earlier this month a gunman walked into the First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill., near St. Louis, and opened fire, killing pastor Fred Winters. Two congregants were injured as they wrestled him to the ground. The alleged gunman, Terry Sedlacek, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Now, the pastor's wife says she's praying for Sedlacek. In an exclusive interview with Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen, Cindy Winters said she doesn't even hold any "hard feelings" against Sedlacek. "I do not have any hatred, or even hard feelings towards him," she told Chen. "We have been praying for him. One of the first things that my daughter said to me after this happened was, 'You know, I hope that he comes to learn to love Jesus through all of this.' We are not angry at all, and we really firmly believe that he can find hope and forgiveness and peace through this, by coming to know Jesus. And we hope that that happens for him."
She has incredible story and witness to Christ. You can follow the link below to a video of the interview.
When yolu realize that there is absolutely nothing in this world that is worth holding on to, it makes life so much eassier and better. There is no question that this wife and her children are saddened and grieving, but with the eternal perspective that they obviously have, they can forgive and look forward. Without a real relationship with Jesus Christ that is an impossibility. May the God of All Comfort be with this family and with our brothers and sisters in Christ in this church!
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