Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 16:36:53 -0400
From: Wes Roberts <>
Subject: A martyr among Columbine students

If this story is accurate, the martyrdom of Rachel Scott is
something for us all to reflect upon. This account comes from the 700 Club
website (http://www.cbn.org/news/stories/990422b.asp). It was posted on
Thursday, two day’s after the shooting at Columbine High School in
Littleton, Colorado. I’m sending it to you because of your heart for youth
and the proclamation of the Gospel. Be encouraged!

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Revelation 12:11

COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING…In the Wake of Tragedy: Two Days Later

When called to die for our faith, how many of us can truly say we
would give our lives for the cause of Jesus Christ? Rachel Scott took a
bold step of faith in the face of her imminent death.

Pastor Bruce Porter from Celebration Christian Church in Littleton
recounts this amazing story of a modern day martyr and the impact she has
had on others. If you saw Thursday’s Today show interview with the father
of the African-American student who was killed and the young man who was
the brother of Rachael, then this account will possibly have even more
impact…that was some of the most powerful television I’ve ever witnessed.
Please read well Pastor Porter’s words…….

April 22, 1999

Dear Friends,

I’m very tired, having just returned from a memorial service this
evening. It’s been a very long day, but I wanted to give you an update
before retiring.

As of this morning Rachel Scott’s family still hadn’t received
official word of their daughter’s death. The waiting was agonizing, but
after 1:00 p.m. this afternoon, I received a call from the Coroner
confirming that Rachel had been positively identified and
was indeed deceased.

It was very difficult delivering that news, and we spent several
hours praying and weeping with the family members who had assembled in
their home. Pictures of Rachel adorned the living room. She was such a
beautiful 17-year-old! We spent time praying together, and seeking our
Father’s merciful comfort.

We heard from eyewitness accounts of other surviving students that
when Rachel was confronted by one of the gunmen, she gave a bold testimony
of her faith. The killer asked her, “Do you believe in God?!!” She boldly
answered, “Yes I do!” She was instantly gunned down.

This has made a major impact on the other students who knew of
Rachel’s Christian testimony. I’m certain that in this moment, the angels
of God surrounded her and instantly ushered her into Christ’s eternal
kingdom. The spirit of the martyrs still lives!

This evening we joined another church in holding a memorial service
for Rachel and the other students killed or wounded. Over 1,500 people
attended.

We heard stories of several students who survived while their
classmates were slaughtered while begging for their lives. I had the honor
of addressing this assembly for 20 minutes, and urged that we all receive
the grace of Jesus to heal our wounds and
resurrect our community out of this morass of pain and confusion. One of
the ways we must find healing is in forgiving those who have hurt
us. There seemed to be a special presence of the Lord this evening upon us
all.

This Saturday we will hold a Funeral Service for Rachel at 1:30
p.m. We will again be sharing the facilities of another area church just
blocks from the site of Columbine High School. We expect the Lord to bring
many young people to Himself through this service. Never before have we
seen such an open hunger for God in the young people
of this community!

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughtful notes. Please
continue. The process of healing the scars of this tragedy will take time
and lots of prayer.

Love in Jesus,

Bruce Porter
Pastor Celebration Christian Church
Littleton, Co

The community grief here in Denver is huge. As you see the
response on television, please be praying for all the memorial services
which will be held the next several days…for the students who are
wondering why they are alive and not dead…for the families…the ripple
effect of this is like a tidal wave that just keeps coming.

As Judy and I read the morning paper we were also brought back to
the reality that a number of Columbine High kids are still in area
hospitals in critical condition from this tragedy. Please be praying for
them and their families too.

Thank you for caring…and praying.