Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

‘Tears and grief’: Iowa church gathers for prayer after deadly shooting

  • June 3, 2022
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Featured, Iowa, Latest News
Pastor Mark Vance leads a prayer service Friday morning (June 3) at Cornerstone Church, Ames, Iowa.
(Screenshot)

‘Tears and grief’: Iowa church gathers for prayer after deadly shooting

A church in Ames, Iowa, is grieving after a gunman fatally shot two female victims and then himself in the church parking lot Thursday night (June 2).

“We’re gathered here to pray, to try to do something in front of God that lets our hearts keep up to something we can’t quite comprehend. This kind of senseless tragedy you’re not supposed to comprehend,” Mark Vance, pastor of Cornerstone Church, said during a prayer gathering Friday morning (June 3).

The two young women killed — Eden Mariah Montag, 22, and Vivian Renee Flores, 21 — were Iowa State University students and church members who were there for the first week of the church’s summer Salt Company gathering, a collegiate ministry.

The shooter, Johnathan Lee Whitlatch, 33, had been previously arrested for alleged harassment in relation to Montag and had been issued a restraining order.

Vance said during the prayer service that the two women were “known, they’re loved, they’re treasured, and that’s why there’s tears and grief.”

Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, served for 12 years in Iowa as a director of missions/church starter strategist for the Baptist Convention of Iowa and says Cornerstone Church is “known for its college ministry.”

“Over the years, the church has had a tremendous ministry to students through evangelism, discipleship and missions involvement,” Jones said.

A statement on the church’s website said church staff is “available to support all those impacted, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities as they complete their full investigation.”

During a press conference Friday morning (June 3), Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald said Whitlatch shot the two women with a 9 mm pistol. A third young woman was in the parking lot with Montag and Flores but was able to find a position of safety.

The tragedy comes on the heels of three other recent shootings — a May 14 shooting in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, that killed 10; a May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 students and two teachers; and a June 1 shooting at a medical center that killed four people.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • At least 10 Christians killed in Fulani attacks
    At least 10 Christians killed in Fulani attacks
    November 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Natalie Grant reflects on trials, triumphs and ministry
    Natalie Grant reflects on trials, triumphs and ministry
    November 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Georgia Baptist DR providing meals for security detail at Rosalynn Carter memorials
    Georgia Baptist DR providing meals for security detail at Rosalynn Carter memorials
    November 27, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

At least 10 Christians killed in Fulani attacks

Suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Nov. 24 attacked villages in Taraba state, Nigeria, killing at least 10 Christians, Morning Star News reported.

Natalie Grant reflects on trials, triumphs and ministry

With her new album “Seasons,” award-winning Christian recording artist Natalie Grant wants to connect audiences to Christ’s unwavering faithfulness and His power to sustain His children as they walk through various stages of life.

Georgia Baptist DR providing meals for security detail at Rosalynn Carter memorials

The chefs who are preparing meals for hundreds of Secret Service agents, Georgia Highway Patrol troopers, National Guard troops and others providing security during three days of memorials for former first lady Rosalynn Carter ….

Illinois ‘Buckets of Blessing’ support children, migrants

A steady stream of red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and blue buckets recently flowed into the lobby at Cornerstone Church during the Illinois Baptist State Association Pastors Conference and Annual Meeting.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel