Virginia Tech—Update
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This article will be available as a link in the righthand margin for the next several days. We have received some updates on how the InterVarsity chapter is doing, several prayer requests, and word on how some of the students are responding in the wake of Monday’s shootings.
Update (Wednesday, April 25, p.m.):
InterVarsity staff member Wes Barts writes:
“Today was the third day of classes since the tragedy. The mood on campus is somewhat of a hopeful melancholy. While some things are getting back to ‘normal’ (most of the media has left), we all know that our community is very different.
“The Christian community has been a source of hope on campus. We have had many prayer and worship times, some planned and others were informal. Our large-group meeting on Friday with the Korean-American fellowship allowed us to grieve, heal, reconcile and declare our adoration of the Lord Christ Jesus. Alumni, members of the community, and local InterVarsity chapters came to support us and worship with us.”
Update (Friday, April 20, a.m.):
International Student Ministries has a report on their website from Robert Howe, ISM staff worker:
Update (Thursday, April 19, p.m.):
WBNS-10TV in Columbus, Ohio, ran a feature on the OSU InterVarsity group working on the banner mentioned below. Be sure to click on the “watch video” link under the headline.
See the article and video: Show Of Support For Va. Tech Victims
Update (Thursday, April 19, a.m.):
OSU InterVarsity students invite their campus to create a banner to send to students at VT.
See the story in the OSU Lantern newspaper.
Update (Wednesday, April 18, a.m.):
From Tuesday, an audio (mp3) interview with Wes Barts by Gordon Govier, InterVarsity’s Public Media Content Coordinator.
Lisa Chinn, director of InterVarsity’s International Student Ministries, had a conversation Wednesday morning with Robert Howe, ISM staff worker at Virginia Tech. Lisa reports:
“Robert asked for prayer for the South Korean students who are feeling shame with the disclosure that the shooter was a South Korean. Please pray for strength as he, other staff, and students grieve with others on campus. Pray for wisdom on how to walk with the Asian students, South Korean especially, who feel the pain and shame that mark their community at this time.”
Robert Howe, ISM staff worker writes:
“As the news has spread about the shooter’s South Korean heritage, please pray for the large Korean population in Blacksburg. Because of their community-centered (rather than individual-centered) orientation, Koreans are culturally more likely to identify with the shooter and to feel shame and/or guilt. One of my Korean student leaders expressed this morning, ‘I do not know him personally. But, as he is of Korean descent, I feel responsible for the situations to some degree. And, I am really sorry. . . .’
“Pray for a freshman student, Lauren, who was involved with the international student ministry through one of our partnering organizations. She is currently missing and was believed to be in the classroom building where the shooting occurred.”
InterVarsity staff member Wes Barts writes:
“While most of our campus is going home, many of our students feel called to stay here and serve and love anyone who is remaining on campus. Pray that we will be effective listeners and comforters, and that as God provides opportunities, we will share the hope that we have in our Savior’s victory over death and evil.
“We also feel called to love and support our Korean and Korean-American friends. We have a partnership with a predominately Korean-American fellowship, and we want to be a witness of the reconciliation that Christ offers.”
Feeling like you’ve had enough of the normal media coverage? The Chronicle of Higher Education has a Daily Report email newletter page (sample) that may feel a little less frenzied while maintaining a more academic and campus-based tone. To keep up to date (beyond the sample linked above), consider subscribing to the Daily Report.
Update (Tuesday, April 17, p.m.):
The Virginia Tech official website has been revamped with several items from Tuesday’s convocation and other media events. There is now a VT memorial section on the school’s site that allows posting of condolences and comments.
Mary Thompson, director of Nurses Christian Fellowship, offers a couple of articles about dealing with tragedy. You may find these helpful for yourself and your fellow students:
Update (Tuesday, April 17, a.m.):
Here are some updates and prayer requests from the Virginia tech InterVarsity fellowship, submitted by student chapter president Jeremy Wright and staff worker Wes Barts:
From Jeremy Wright, received late Monday night after the group gathering:
“Thank you for the prayers. Our campus is hurting tonight, but I believe that God’s healing power will bring restoration to this campus. Please pray for those who lost family, friends or classmates today, and pray for the leaders of all the fellowships on campus, that they would be sustained through all this and be able to minister to the hurt and broken people of this campus. It is very strange to be in the midst of a tragedy that is being reported across the world. But it has been tremendously encouraging to receive so much prayer from across the country. The body of Christ has been supporting us through this, and I thank you and everyone else for your part in that.”
From Wes Barts, received early Tuesday a.m.:
“So many have asked how they can pray for us, and I am encouraged by the support of friends from around the country and the world.”
- Updated Tuesday morning: [Wes has reported that] one freshman in the fellowship has lost a roommate who was one of the casualties; please pray for her.
- Thankfully, two of our students overslept and missed their classes in Norris Hall during the shootings. However, one of those students lost his professor, and four of his classmates were wounded.
- One senior in our fellowship was actually in a classroom in Norris Hall during the shootings. With the help of some classmates, he set up a barricade to prevent the shooter from entering the room. The shooter fired shots at the door, but failed to enter.
- One junior needs the most intercession. She is a resident advisor in West Ambler Johnston Hall and was a good friend to one of the victims who was murdered in this residence hall. The victim was a fellow resident advisor.
- The Virginia Tech chapter is planning a campus-wide prayer event on Wednesday at noon. Please pray for InterVarsity staff workers Wes Barts, Lindsey Jones and Robert Howe as they minister to and comfort students.
Wes adds, “After an intense and painful day, we are in mourning. Fortunately, there were no students in our fellowship who were wounded or murdered. However, a number of students have friends, hallmates, and professors who lost their lives. On campus, I am deeply encouraged by the love and comfort that our students give to each other and their friends. The Body of Christ is truly at work here. Though it feels like a dark cloud is over Blacksburg, God is present. In this time of mourning, Christ is with us in our pain. In Christ Jesus we find our hope and refuge! Thank you for your prayers and for sharing in our pain.”
Monday (original) content
See some news stories at CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, Reuters, NPR, Virginia Tech’s news page. (Links may change over time.
There are three InterVarsity chapters at Virginia Tech, an undergraduate chapter, a graduate chapter and an international student ministry chapter.
Wes Barts, InterVarsity staff worker for the undergrad group, wrote the following in an email to his prayer team:
“I’m sure most of you have heard by now about the tragedy that happened today [Monday] at Virginia Tech. Many of you have asked how to pray. Please pray for us as we meet tonight at 7 p.m. as a fellowship to pray, ask questions, and mourn together. We feel the pressure to do something, but we really need time to mourn the fact that 33 people were murdered today on our campus. . . . Thankfully, no IV students were murdered or wounded.”
Alec Hill, president of InterVarsity, said on Monday afternoon, “We are stunned and saddened by the reports of today’s shootings at Virginia Tech. InterVarsity has three staff members who work with about 180 students on the Virginia Tech campus. We are thankful that none of them were directly harmed by the shooting. Staff and students are meeting tonight to pray for their campus. InterVarsity students are also planning a campus-wide prayer event on Wednesday at noon.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with the students of Virginia Tech and their families. Events such as today’s tragic shooting bring students to an abrupt confrontation with their own mortality. InterVarsity staff are trained to help students face life’s issues and find their hope in the promises of Jesus Christ. Our staff members, Wes Barts, Lindsey Jones and Robert Howe, ask for your prayers as they and their students deal with the impact of this tragedy.”
Be in prayer for the families of the students who were killed, and for those students who were injured. We will update this page as we hear more from InterVarsity staff or students on campus.
Please feel free to leave your comments, thoughts and questions below.
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