BLOG

Subscribe
 
Why, God?
Brandon Haskins

Brandon serving with the Environment Team on Ginghamsburg’s campus

I have been in a state of numbness for almost 24 hours. Two families in our church experienced the senseless loss of their 22-year-old son, Brandon. His mom Kim, who has been one of our devoted teachers of two year olds on Sunday mornings, witnessed the horrific murder of her son. Brandon had been a “Treehouse” children’s teacher at Ginghamsburg for seven years. He was also one of the three organizing founders of Artists for Sudan and served with our campus Environment Team.

My office has been a revolving door for members of the press today, who have inundated me with questions like: “How can a member of your church whom you have known for years have committed such a horrendous act against his stepson?” “How can God allow such an unthinkable act against a young person of promise?” This weekend in worship we will address some of these questions, and I would appreciate your prayers for Brandon’s family and all of those who have been affected by this senseless tragedy. We will have grief counselors on site all weekend to meet with any children or adults who worked with Brandon.

A few hours before his death Brandon posted these words on his Facebook page: “Life is too short not to do something that matters.” Brandon did much to serve both God and people in his brief 22 years. Now how about you and I?

God bless…

handwritten signature

Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jul 09, 2010 04:30PM Add Comment

My condolences to his family & to all those people that knew and loved him.

May God help us all do our part to do something that matters.

Isn't it true that the only investment that counts this side of heaven is our investment in other people? I heard that years ago & think Betty Malz talked about that.

Posted By: Elizabeth Wolfe on Jul 09, 2010 06:41PM

When I first read about the grief counselors being available, I thought of my Mother's slow illness of Alzheimer's disease and how I feel that things are so surreal many days. It's so prolonged, and indescribeable to experience the daily challenges, and grief of someone with this illness. Then I read the blog post and I realized that this was the young man I had heard about on the news. I am so glad that the young boy is safe, and I cannot imagine the experience of losing a son especially to murder by someone who was supposed to be a caregiver. I hope those affected will find comfort in their sorrow. We are fairly close to calling Hospice in for the final months, and I know it will be so difficult, but longterm grief is dealt with differently than what has happened with this young man. But there is hope in all tragedy...at least that is my own hope.

Posted By: Helen (Michaiah) Combs on Jul 09, 2010 09:50PM

My condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and for Pastor Slaughter.

I am currently reading Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy's Memoir. Tony is such a wonderful example of a Christian man. When his oldest son committed suicide, he said he was asked, "Why do bad things happen?" He replied in his book, "I don't know. Why did Jamie die? I don't know. But I do know that God has the answers, I know He loves me, and i know He has a plan whether it makes sense to me or not. Rather than asking why, I'm asking what. What can I learn from this? What can I do for God's glory and to help others?" After reading this from Tony Dungy and after this recent tragedy regarding Brandon and his family, the only thing we can do is to keep going head up high, one foot in front of the other, staying on our God-path and glorifying Him!! There is much to do, and we need to keep our eyes and ears alert to other's pain!

May this wonderful family and their friends and loved ones feel His loving arms around them!!

Posted By: Joey on Jul 09, 2010 10:17PM

God doesn’t force us to choose him. He allows us to opt between Him and evil. Satan is behind evil deeds. Satan is about death, God is about life. Brandon and his family need our prayers during this difficult time. God Bless…
I am so sorry for your loss.

Posted By: Rich B on Jul 09, 2010 11:30PM
12 Next >
Please enter your comments:
Your Name*   
Message*

Please enter here the word as displayed in the picture. This is to prevent spamming.

If you can't read the word, click here.* CAPTCHA image for SPAM prevention

Your comments are welcome! Please note that this is a moderated blog. For comments to post for public view, they must meet the following criteria:

  • The person posting will list his/her name as the author of the comment.
  • Each comment is to be specific to the blog topic under which it is posted.
  • Comments will be respectful of everyone participating, including the blog author and comment authors; disagreement with others' ideas is acceptable, but comments are not to be insulting, mocking or slanderous.
  • Participants will always extend grace and the benefit of the doubt to others who participate.

Please note that because of the moderating process, your comment may not display immediately but will display once released from the queue. Thank you for making this a safe space for dialogue and community.