Church of God Evangelist’s Son Is Victim of Texas Massacre
November 6, 2017–Dr. Timothy M. Hill, General Overseer of the Church of God, received word at 11:30 a.m. EST today that Juan Ignacio Macias, son of Church of God national evangelist Ignacio Macias, is one of the victims of the massacre that took place yesterday at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. Juan underwent surgery yesterday for his injuries and is slated for more surgery today. Bishop Macias was preaching in California yesterday and is in route to Texas to be with his son.
General Overseer Hill issued a call to prayer yesterday following the massive shooting and offered these additional comments in light of these developments:
“This tragedy hits even closer to home now. Yesterday I said the prayers of the Church of God around the world go out to the victims and families, and that is still the call today. We mourn with the 26 families that lost loved ones, but make a special call to prayer for the Macias family. I pray for the hands of the surgeons to be anointed, and may Juan come out on the other side of this tragedy, not just strengthened in his body, but in his soul as well.”
Hill issued the following call to prayer yesterday following the shooting:
“The prayers of the Church of God around the world go out to those that were injured and to the families of those who lost their lives in the senseless act of violence at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Although we as a nation are still getting the facts of what happened in this idyllic South Texas church, at least 26 are dead and another two dozen or so are critically wounded. For such tragedy to occur in a house of worship is beyond our comprehension, but too often over the past few years, we have faced our sacred spaces being violated by hatred and misguided individuals.”
On Monday morning, Hill hosted a Facebook Live session with Dennis Watkins, who serves as moderator for Prayerbourne, a group that gathers weekly at the International Offices to pray for needs and requests that flow into the offices every day.
“We lift up this church as part of the family of God…give them (victims’ families) grace and may they see the hand of God in this dark hour,” Watkins prayed.
“Like all of us, I was left speechless after yesterday’s shooting,” Hill remarked during the session. He called the Facebook audience to Psalms 46 to offer prayer, ending it by stating,
“In times like these we need a savior….God is still high upon His throne and through all of this He still reigns.”
Hill plans a future session where he and Watkins, who also serves as Legal Counsel for the Church of God, will discuss ways and methods to increase or enhance church security.
Faith News will post further updates as warranted.
