YWAM shooting memorial

The weather last night was identical to a year ago....snow on the ground...more snow falling... Although it made the memories all the more real, it also brought redemption....

Today, we remember. We remember our friends, Phil and Tiffany. We remember the horrific events of one year ago. We remember God's faithfulness through it all.

We also remember the police officers and paramedics who arrived first on the scene. In fact, we have so much to be thankful for in these hard working men and women! Not only were they first on the scene a year ago- clearing the building to be sure the shooter was gone, gathering frightened youth from bushes and closets; taking care of Charlie, Dan, Phil and Tiffany- but they have been nothing but supportive through this entire past year. They attended our memorial for Phil and Tiffany days after the shooting and have phoned Tiffany's family several times throughout the year - even remembering her birthday. Police Chief Don Wick has framed and adopted a phrase from Tiffany's journal, "I'm going to change the world by loving on people."

A year later, these men and women remember with us. Yesterday, "In an unprecedented gesture of support, the police department has virtually set aside (the day) to honor the victims of last year's church shootings in Arvada and Colorado Springs, which left four young people dead." (Rocky Mountain News) At 4pm, a service began to unveil a memorial to honor Phil, Tiffany, Dan, and Charlie. I stood in the hallway with my two little boys and was thankful to be there. Police Chief Don Wick shared, giving honor to his officers as well as to Phil and Tiffany. He also gave special mention to victims of other violent crimes that have been committed since he was named police chief July of 2007. Then, the memorial was unveiled and we were all given the opportunity to see it up close. A large silver frame enclosed the marble etchings of Phil, Tiff, Dan, and Charlie's portraits, including a simple description of what occurred a year ago. At the top, "Youth With a Mission" was engraved in the stone. Looking at this beautiful and sincere memorial to my friends, I was truly moved and amazed!

Then, at 10pm, the police and paramedics who were involved in responding to the 911 call last year began a 3 1/2 mile run through the cold and snow from the Arvada Police Department to our Youth With a Mission facility. They did this to bring healing and closure for themselves as well as to bring honor to Phil, Tiff, Youth With a Mission, and others who have died in the city through acts of violence. As they approached "the base," as we call it, we greeted them with cheers as tears of thankfulness and joy welled up from our hearts. We showered them with thanks and quickly escorted them into the warm building for water, hot chocolate, and other refreshments. Over the next hour, we had the opportunity to talk with them. Ben found one guy sitting by himself. In typical "Ben" fashion, he broke the ice with humor. "Thanks for running the 3 1/2 miles...but you guys are crazy!" As it turns out, the man's name was also Ben. He was the paramedic who worked on Phil and drove him to the hospital. After eight years as a paramedic, he says he has never seen anything like what he saw in our hallway that night. We thanked him for his work, though he seemed almost unable to accept our gratitude. With obvious emotion he shared that he also has never seen a community come together in forgiveness as we have. We shared that, although it is difficult to forgive at times, it brings so much more healing and freedom than harboring bitterness and anger. He seemed truly honored to speak with us, and I know we were honored to speak with him.

Midnight makred the beginning of our memorial service. We began with worship, then watched videos remembering our dear friends Philip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson. As memories of our friends- and the loss of them- flooded our minds, I am sure memories of that night- a year ago- flooded the minds of those officers and paramedics in the room. Some shared about how their lives have been impacted by Phil and Tiff- about how God has used their deaths to bring new life over the past year. Then we prayed. We prayed for Tiffany and Phil's families. We prayed for Dan and Charlie and their families. We also prayed for healing for the police officers and paramedics who had to witness and try to contain the aftermath of the tragedy. There was also another special family who was in attendance that we were able to pray for...the Murrays.

Over the past year, Tiffany Johnson's mother and Matthew Murray's mother have been in contact. At the unveiling of the memorial at the Arvada Police station, Tiffany's mother shared how it was not about "what Matthew did" but about the fact that both families had lost their children. When Peter Warren invited the Murrays to come, he let them know it was thier choice. "You dont' have to come," he said. In response, they shared they did not want to sit at home by themselves, but would rather be with us. Last night I found myself sitting in close proximity to the Murrays. As we prayed for them, I went over, along with others, and gently laid my hands on their backs. I don't know that I have ever felt compassion to a greater extent than I did last night! Tears came to my eyes as I so desperately wanted them to know God's peace and His love!

We ended the night by going outside and lighting candles and singing "O Come Let us Adore Him." We will never forget our friends- their lives or their deaths- but we will also always remember God's hand on our lives, His forgiveness in our hearts, and the strength He continues to impart to us each and every day.

love, Arie