Heavy Heart...Need Prayer...

I write today with a heavy heart. We found out that Josh & Tim Schrauger (Tim is on the left, Josh on the right) were killed in a tragic car accident on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Tim was a very active member of our youth group at 412 Youth and had just been accepted into our Student Leadership Program. I knew Josh a little, but not as much as I knew Tim. To complicate matters, the family has been through the "ringer" in the past year. One of the family's older sons, David, serves our country in the military and was deployed in Iraq. His humvee was hit by an IED and he was gravely injured while the rest of his comrades were killed. He has been going through numerous surgeries in a Texas military hospital and he is recovering...but not out of the woods yet. Now, their family has lost their two youngest children.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that both of these young men met their Jesus on Saturday. In fact, I would not be surprised if they have already organized a massive heavenly game of paintball! :) I had the priviledge of hearing Tim's testimony last Sunday as we had student leadership interviews. His biggest concern about becoming a student leader was that he would lead students TOWARD Jesus, not away from Him. He wanted his fellow students to see that a relationship with His Lord is so awesome and can be exciting! It was an honor knowing and encouraging Tim as his youth pastor. This is something that I prayed would never happen in my ministry to students. However, I KNOW that God WILL BE GLORIFIED in and through this. Josh & Tim impacted many lives with their love for Jesus through the way they lived...and now Jesus has an opportunity to impact many through them in their death.

The funeral is going to be at Lake Orion High School on Thursday, October 4 at 4:30 PM. I will be eulogizing Tim as part of the service. Please pray that God would give me and the other two pastors wisdom about what to say and how to be the most effective for Christ and for the family. Pray that God will be glorified. Pray that the family will be comforted. Pray for the students in our youth ministry and many others that knew and loved Josh & Tim. It is a sad day for us...but an awesome time for Josh & Tim. They are with the One they loved the most. They are with their Best Friend. They are with their Jesus...I have to admit...I'm a little jealous. ;)