New Life Church honors victims, looks to future

Capacity crowd joins in applause, singing and prayer

By Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Jerilee Bennett / Associated

UP Judy Purcell, center, hugs her daughter, Kristen, during a service at New Life Church in Colorado Springs on Wednesday. Purcell was wounded by gunman Matthew Murray, who killed two worshippers at the church after services on Sunday, before being shot by security guard Jeanne Assam.

Darin McGregor / The Rocky

Teenagers huddle in prayer inside the church. "We will not be silenced by fear," senior pastor Brady Boyd said at the service. "We are people of faith. Heaven is not rattled by the events of the past few days." Boyd instructed parishioners to scatter throughout the vast complex to pray and "anoint" the church to keep it safe from harm.

Darin McGregor / The Rocky

Mick Rike, of Castle Rock, comforts his daughter Abi, 16, after Wednesday's service. Abi Rike knew Rachel and Stephanie Works, who were killed by Murray.

With applause, singing and prayer, thousands of New Life Church members gathered Wednesday evening to honor those who were killed and wounded by a troubled young gunman - and the people who came to their rescue.

The biggest applause went to Jeanne Assam, the church security guard who shot 24-year-old Matthew Murray before he killed himself Sunday, preventing him from possibly shooting hundreds of other parishioners who were inside the church.

"Jeanne is a new believer; she was on her third day of her first fast," senior pastor Brady Boyd said.

"She had God to guide her. She is our hero."

A stoic Assam stood up for two extended rounds of applause.

Two church members, sisters Rachel Works, 16, and Stephanie Works, 18, were killed by Murray.

Their father, David Works, 51, was shot twice and is in fair condition in a Colorado hospital.

Earlier that day, Murray killed Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24, missionary students at Youth With A Mission in Arvada.

Wednesday, New Life's 7,500-seat auditorium was filled to capacity.

"I had been thinking about a sermon about finding God in difficult times. I didn't know how prophetic that would be," Brady began after parishioners sang soft rock songs of praise.

"We will not be silenced by fear. We are people of faith. Heaven is not rattled by the events of the past few days."

On giant screens that hung from the auditorium's rafters, images of the young people killed by Murray appeared as some parishioners silently wept.

A number of elected officials made presentations honoring the dead and wounded, along with those who responded to the scene.

Sen. Wayne Allard offered his condolences by video. Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien urged the audience to "dedicate ourselves to reach troubled souls and spirits in our community."

State Attorney General John Suthers said the killing of innocent people is a scene becoming "all too familiar to us."

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera said he struggled to understand why "things like this happen."

After more songs and scripture readings, Boyd instructed parishioners to scatter throughout the vast complex to pray and "anoint" the church to keep it safe from harm. He also announced the presence of dozens of counselors to provide personal ministry for those who needed it.

Katrina Coffelt, 21, said she found comfort and strength in the special service.

"I walked in sad and broken with what happened," she said. "You could feel the power of healing in that room."

Adam Parker said the church was more packed than usual.

"The spirit of God heals all," he said. "It's like that last song we sang - we will overcome."