One Year after the Bomb
April 1, 1996
On April 19, 1995, a bomb of hurricane force destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The explosion broke huge slabs of granite in half, twisted steel, disintegrated concrete, and destroyed lives. Leadership contributing editor Brian Larson asked three pastors who ministered in the midst of this tragedy how it affected them. DISTRESS AND URGENCY
One of our church members, Peggy Holland, 37, a married mother of two and a Sunday school teacher, died in the blast. I was with her husband and children while the rescuers searched for her. Her husband was beside himself, not knowing her condition, yet feeling she was dead. His girls were confused. Their mother had taken them to school that morning but never came home. If it hadn't been for the Lord, I don't know what they or I would have done. Each time I left their house, distress filled my heart. Before this tragedy, I didn't think I could preach with more urgency. But this magnified it. At Peggy's funeral, with the family's permission, I gave an invitation to receive Christ, something I've done only a couple of times before at a funeral. Peggy's husband is a correctional guard, so there were some fifty FBI agents and federal employees at Peggy's funeral. The church was packed. The tragedy reminded me that no one has any guarantees. I want to minister to people while I can, because the day is coming when I will not be able to do anything for them. SERIOUS BUSINESS
When I saw the news footage of the bombing, I went into shock. I told our senior pastor, Bishop George McKinney, that I felt led of the Lord to go to Oklahoma City and help in whatever way I could. With $100 in my wallet and no arrangements for lodging, I flew to Oklahoma City. When I arrived, the Lord ...
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