Just a quick update. At this point we have not been able to come up with an explanation of who these men were or why they were there. Our security team is being briefed and will be on heightened alert today.
I appreciate your prayers for safety and wisdom.
Here’s where my concern lies:
1)this is the third suspicious occurence in the past 7 months at our church (plus at least one at another large church only a few miles away)
2)a recent warning was issued that “Mumbai-style” attacks are being planned at Western (including US) soft targets
3)the AQ video less then two weeks ago specifically instructs Jihadists to attack in the “miserable suburbs of London Paris and Detroit”.
4) the Baghdad church massacre last Sunday could be a foreshadow of future attacks that might be in the planning stages
5) we just passed the 1 year anniversary of the FBI shooting of a radical cleric in Dearborn, shot 21 times, once in the back. yet, there was no public outcry from his radical followers. I find that really odd.
6) our church is very active in missions, particularly witnessing to Muslims in Dearborn.
(there are a few other specifics related to this last point that I feel isn’t wise to post publicly)
Kind of ironic. Just yesterday I taught on Nehemiah and mentioned this passage: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (4:14)
I think this is a timely passage for us.
Thank you for updating- many prayers coming your way.
Praying for you, and my brothers and sisters on the front lines in Michigan. Keep us posted.
Jer 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
holding you up in prayer as we begin our day of worship here in Los Angeles.
Polly
Thank you for keeping us FReepers up to date.
It sounds like you have done the wise thing of contacting the FBI and having an informed security team.
After reading most of the posts on this thread I am concerned. Both about the possability of an attack on a church but also that the “church” is in the mindset that we need to arm ourselves and be ready to kill other humans. My fear would be that the churches become fearful of middle eastern young men, one of these young men shows up at church because they are a Christian, and speaking poor English thinks he is asking directions to the bathroom, and then is tackled or worse...
I would offer a few versus to think on during this time...
Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Some have pointed out that we are at war...I would agree...but our war is not going to be won with guns because our war is a spiritual war. We must fight for the very souls of these young men that walked through your church...
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
I would continue with the security measures but then go on the offensive...which it looks like your church has...”witnessing to Muslims in Dearborn”...and then as the song I am listening to states “Get on your knees and fight like a man”...I admit I still like my old Petra tapes.
God bless