The North American Mission Board has offered to pay for the funeral costs for the families of the 26 people killed in that church shooting in Texas.
The North American Mission Board is the domestic missions agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SBC President Steve Gaines said he and SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page visited with the Sutherland Springs pastor and his wife.
The family lost their daughter when Devin Kelley opened fire this past weekend in the Texas town during a worship service.
Gaines said, “I discussed it with Frank Page and Jim Richards, and we all agreed to go and help any way we possibly can. Our Southern Baptist family grieves with this beloved church and the community it serves. Our prayers are ascending steadily to God’s throne of grace. May God bring healing and hope to these that are hurting.”
According to police, Kelley fired about 450 rounds of ammunition on the congregation. He also killed himself following a shootout with a neighbor who went outside with his gun after hearing the shooting. The neighbor hit Kelley twice before the gunman fled in his car.
Roseanne Solis, a survivor of the shooting said she heard what sounded like firecrackers popping. And then Everybody started screaming, yelling. Everyone got down, crawling under wherever they could hide.
About half of those killed were children. And eight members of one family were killed in the attack.