"Thus says the Lord GOD: O Princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression and execute justice and righteousness."
(Ezekiel 45:9; ESV)

On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, there was a mass shooting in Michigan at Oxford High School. Four students were killed and seven others were injured, including a schoolteacher. The shooter was alleged to be 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, a sophomore, armed with a semi-automatic handgun his father purchased four days prior. Eyewitnesses said he came out of a school bathroom into the hallway of the school and started randomly shooting other students. No motives have been established, however, it has been reported that his parents were called to the school the morning of the shooting. "On Monday, November 29th, a teacher caught Crumbley looking up ammunition online. 'LOL I'm not mad at you, you have to learn not to get caught,' Jennifer Crumbley reportedly texted her son afterward. At the meeting the next day, a teacher had found a drawing on Crumbley's desk of a handgun and a bullet as well as the words 'blood everywhere' and 'The thoughts won't stop, help me' — and presented it to Crumbley's parents, who reportedly pushed for their son to return to class."1


In a separate incident, "South Carolina sheriff's deputies arrested a 14-year-old male high school student Monday on charges that he threatened to shoot up schools in his county."2 "The Gilbert High School student made a 'threatening statement' while on the bus last Thursday and another student overheard him."3 The student allegedly said the next day he was going to put on a trench coat and shoot up the elementary and middle schools.


"In 2021 there were at least 149 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 32 deaths and 94 injuries nationally. Every year, more than 3,000 children and teens are shot and killed and 15,000 more are shot and injured. An estimated 3 million children in the U.S. are exposed to shootings per year."4 "Children exposed to violence, crime, and abuse are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol; suffer from depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder; fail or have difficulties in school; and engage in criminal activity."5


The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but we have an adversary. The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, has not yet penetrated the darkness of their thinking. It is time to fight back — both in the natural and spiritual realms for our children. We are the watchmen on the wall.  

Join us in prayer:

 Pray a hedge of protection around our children:
"My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. His is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me." 
(2 Samuel 22:3-4; NIV) 

Pray for revelation and understanding for schoolteachers and counselors:
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."
(Proverbs 4:6-7; NIV)

Pray for our schools:
"May there be peace within your walls and security within your towers!"
(Psalm 122:7; ESV

Pray for those who are being used by the enemy:
"To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me."
(Acts 26:18; NIV)

1. The Cut: https://www.thecut.com/2021/12/oxford-michigan-high-school-shooting-3-dead-6-injured.html
2. Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/us/south-carolina-high-schooler-arrested-allegedly-threatening-shoot-up-school?cmpid=fb_fnc&fbclid=IwAR1-P6_4NnSSKGioO_xfdhIB1s2ZxPEVC5UmQzqdqImnkIKGa8TwfhyUuzk
3. Ibid
4. Everytown: https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/
5. Ibid