Mother Emanuel

We remember in our prayers those whom Dyllan Storm Roof killed on Wednesday while they were studying scripture and praying at Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. We remember their families and all who mourn their violent death. We pray for wisdom and courage for ourselves and for all who long for the healing of the deep wound of racism in our nation.

Rev. Clementa Carlos Pinckney, 41, pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the shooting occurred, began preaching at 13 and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at 23, becoming the youngest African-American to be elected to the State Legislature.

Cynthia Hurd, 54, served as the regional manager of the St. Andrews branch of the county library, a job she loved because it brought her closer to people.

DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49, was the mother of four daughters – the youngest is in junior high school and the oldest is in college.

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45, was a coach for the girls’ track and field team and a speech therapist at Goose Creek High School. She was on the church staff.

Tywanza Sanders, 26, had graduated from Allen University, a historically black college, as a business administration major last year and was looking for employment.

Ethel Lee Lance, 70, was a sexton at the church and had worked there for more than three decades. Her cousin, Susie Jackson, was a longtime church member and died along with her.

Susie Jackson, 87.

Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr., a retired pastor from another church in Charleston, attended Emanuel A.M.E. every Sunday for services and Wednesdays for bible study, according to his daughter-in-law, Arcelia Simmons of Newport News, Va.

Myra Thompson, 59, was the wife of the Rev. Anthony Thompson, vicar of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston.

David Bell

We join the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee in prayer for the Wayne & Virginia Bell family following the death of their son, David. He died June 10 in Cody, Wyoming of pancreatic cancer. Because Wayne served as Vine Street’s senior minister, this family has been close to the church for many years. Services for David will be June 17 in Cody. Expressions of love may be sent to: Wayne & Virginia Bell, 220 Clinton Road, Lexington, KY 40502. David’s obituary appears online here.  

Beth Douglas Kelly

John Shuler shares that the visitation for Beth Douglas Kelly will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna, Georgia. A memorial service will be held at Smyrna First United Methodist Church Saturday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. The family is grateful as you please remember in your prayers John, Debra, Kennedy and Grant Shuler, as well as all who love Beth. She died June 9 of complications related to open-heart surgery for a malignant tumor.

Beth Douglas Kelly

Beth Kelly, age 37, daughter of John and Debra Shuler, Kennedy and Grant’s stepsister, died Tuesday of complications related to open-heart surgery for a malignant tumor. Beth’s husband Chris and two young children survive her in Smyrna, Georgia. Please keep this family in your prayers. 

Gary Holloway

Gary Holloway, our friend and executive director of World Convention, is on a teaching assignment in Swaziland, in southern Africa. We pray for Gary and his traveling companions, Africa and World Convention (which makes its homebase on our campus).

The Todd Family

Reeta Parks and her family ask for prayer for their friends, the family of Beth and Jason Todd. Their 3-year-old daughter Logan Lea has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Reeta asks that we hold in prayer this family, plus their extended family and friends, as they cope with this devastating news.

Pat Bentrup

Pat Bentrup has had another setback. She is asking us for prayer on the heels of learning she has a broken jaw. Regrettably, she suffered this injury when she fell recently, but the break went undetected. May God grant Pat healing and peace for a tired spirit. If you would like to send her a card or note of encouragement, but don’t have her address, please contact Rev. Greg Rumburg.