The LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22
Bahawalpur Believers (2001)
Church Shooting
On 28 October 2001, the Protestant congregation of St Dominic’s Church in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, gathered at 8am for worship. As the pastor was finishing the service, three masked men quietly slipped into the church. Two stood guard while the third went and shot the pastor. He then proceeded to open fire on the congregation with his Kalashnikov rifle, killing 15 worshippers.
The attack was believed to be the work of militant extremists – one of the many examples of how the small Christian minority of Pakistan has been targeted in recent decades. An estimated 5,000 people – including both Christians and Muslims – attended the funeral for the victims.
Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!
John Newton (1725-1807)