Over the last month we spoke a lot about the shooting of Pastor Fred Winters.

It started when I wrote about a conference I spoke at in Louisville, Kentucky and how I heard the Security Director of the Maryville Church speak about the day when an armed gunman walked into the church in Illinois and shot the Pastor during a service.

I also wrote how when I returned from the conference the first thing I saw was a cover story in a Christian publication written about the shooting by one of the Pastors that was present that day.

It is tragic when anyone is killed, but the Maryville incident was terrible because it is always shocking when a Pastor is killed while he was just doing what God called him to do in a house of worship. We may expect that kind of violence in other parts of the world, but in a church in Illinois, in the United States...not so much.

The Maryville incident made all the news, worldwide, the Christian Security Network's website received more visits right after that incident than any other time, and our phones rang of the hook.

It is obvious it is still making the news and in the forefront of people's minds, even more than a year later.

The murder of Pastor Fred Winters was tragic, but what about Carol Daniels?

You do remember Pastor Daniels, don't you?

I am not a betting man, but if I were, I would bet that you do not.

Pastor Daniels lived in Oklahoma City and drove nearly every Sunday to Anadarko, Oklahoma, about an hour drive, to lead church services; she did this for 9 years.

She was killed one year ago on Sunday, August 23, 2009 in Christ Holy Sanctified Church.

Her killer was never found.

According to sources, police found the nude, mutilated body of the Rev. Carol Daniels in a "crucifix position” behind her church altar on that Sunday around noon.

Sources confirmed that Daniels’ bloodied corpse appeared to have been left in the form of a cross with both arms outstretched to the sides. Sources also said investigators were disturbed by two other facts at the crime scene. It was reported that the killer took Daniels’ clothes, perhaps to hide evidence or as a grisly trophy, and methodically took time to spray a dissolving chemical around the body in an apparent effort to destroy any DNA evidence.

The theories on her killing range from a mentally deranged homeless person to something to do with the occult.

Sadly the church where Pastor Daniels preached never held services again and was torn down in July.

I must have missed the cover story on this incident. I also didn't see any increase in visits on the CSN website after Pastor Daniels was killed. Our phones were silent and I didn't hear anyone speak about her murder at any conferences?

I just can't figure out why? An abortion doctor killed in his church received much more press and attention.

To be honest, I am much more disturbed about Pastor Daniels' murder than I am Pastor Winters. The person that shot and killed Pastor Winters in behind bars and will most likely be there the rest of his life.

But there is someone out there that viciously killed Pastor Daniels. This is an extremely dangerous person; one who targeted a Pastor in a church on a Sunday. One who may do it again?

The district attorney involved in the case called it "horrific."

But now the church is gone; demolished with little fanfare. The media is silent. And the police are not making any statements; there seems to be little or no leads.

Once again, I ask the Christian community, where is the outrage, where are the vigils, where is the concern for the safety of every church?

Who will remember Pastor Daniels?

In Christ,
Jeff Hawkins
Executive Director


Sources used for this article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,541987,00.html

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-anadarko-memorial-story,0,3340577.story

http://www.helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16390

http://hlut.populacao4.co.cc/

http://newsok.com/anadarko-church-killing

Reader's comments from last week's article:

"After having been trained by CSN, and reading up on other security training material, I have made it a point to speak with church leaders and school administration on taking small steps to ensure the safety of our students. They all admit to the lack of procedures in place, but are reluctant to implement anything to change and be prepared. Why does it take a tragedy to change minds?" AM

"I agree our flank is open. I agree that EVERYONE should read "Terror at Beslan". If the chapters on the Russian military and history of terrorism in Russia are too heavy, skip them and concentrate on the Introduction, chapters on the incident and the last third of the book that addresses preparation for such incidents in the US. I would add one other aspect for our consideration. If/When one of our churches is taken hostage such as the school in Beslan, we need to be prepared to not only defend ourselves physically, but we need to also be prepared to minister to our captors while we are in captivity. Our captors have no intent of anyone leaving alive. But can God use us to bring them a knowledge of Eternal Life? 1 Peter 2:20-21 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. We must be prepared as human citizens of the USA. But even more, we must be prepared as Citizens of Heaven, for our fight is not against flesh and blood." DA