In the wake of a church shooting that took young lives, pastors and faith leaders respond with truth, comfort, and a call to cling to God's Word.



Several Christian leaders have reacted to the shooting that took place at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, which killed 2 children and wounded 17 people.

The suspect, 23-year-old Robert Westman, a transgender individual formerly known as "Robin," took his own life at the scene after carrying out the mass shooting at the church while the children were praying for the first Mass of the school year at Annunciation Catholic School.

Following the tragedy, Christian leaders have taken to social media to express their thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the families affected by the shooting.

Greg Laurie
Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie wrote a sobering reflection on his blog, describing the attack as "pure evil." He also noted that the shooter had several hateful messages on his gun, including "6 million wasn't enough", a reference to the Holocaust, "Kill Trump," and "Where is your God?"

In response to Westman's question, "Where is your God?" the pastor said, "God is with the suffering."

He cited Psalm 34:18, which states, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 NIV), adding, "In moments like this, we cling to God's promise."

"Evil struck in a place of worship. But even in the darkest hour, God is near to the brokenhearted," Laurie contended.

Franklin Graham
Evangelist Franklin Graham, President of the Samaritans' Purse and the Billy Graham Association, responded to the news of the shooting by issuing a call to prayer.

"Join me in praying for the families of the two children who were killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis today, along with the 17 injured. May God wrap His loving arms around the many hurting in this community," Graham, the son of late evangelist Billy Graham, wrote on X.

Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV also sent his condolences after the 'terrible tragedy' of the Catholic school shooting in a telegram to Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

His condolences went toward "the families now grieving the loss of a child" as well as those wounded.

"While commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, His Holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel, and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones," the papal message stated.

"At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the people of the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area his apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude, and consolation in the Lord Jesus," he added.

Jack Graham
Jack Graham, Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, shared on social media how God is present to the broken in the midst of tragedy.

"Where is God when tragedy strikes? I can answer this at a very personal level. My father was brutally murdered in 1970, and our family was devastated. Yet God's comforting presence was there…loving us and leading us from darkness to light," he wrote on X.

He also made reference to Psalm 34 and prayed for the families in Minnesota, as well as anyone who is suffering.

"He is near to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit, Ps 34. Jesus is there in our darkest hour. To those families in Minnesota, and to all who suffer, we pray God's peace upon you and that you may experience His grace and mercy. I know this is the answer to life's biggest tragedies."

Samuel Rodriguez
Samuel Rodriguez, Pastor of New Season Church and President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, posted a video on X lamenting the tragedy while contending about the necessity of prayer amidst critics who spoke against expressing thoughts and prayers.

"We will not bow to fear, nor will we be silenced by critics. In the face of this tragedy in Minnesota, we are doubling down on prayer," Rodriguez wrote in the caption of the video.

"We will pray more than ever. We will anoint more than ever. We will declare the blood of Jesus more than ever over our children," he added. "We will cover our children with prayer, with love, with anointing, with truth. We will speak God's Word and His promises over them and intercede to our Heavenly Father."

"Our prayer: Heavenly Father, cover them with the blood of Jesus. Protect our children from all evil. Fulfill Your purpose in their lives," Rodriguez concluded.

"In the name above every other name, we pray; the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!"

We will not bow to fear, nor will we be silenced by critics. In the face of this tragedy in Minnesota, we are doubling down on prayer.

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