By Joe Conway and Mickey Noah T


he life of Joseph in the Old Testament demonstrates how


God can take human tragedy and turn it toward ultimate good. Joseph’s understanding of God’s


greater plan was exemplified in the calling of Jared Vineyard and Ryan Heller to Aurora, Colo. A chap- lain who survived the horrors of combat and a church planter with an unwavering commitment to a city combined to provide remark- able ministry in the midst of one of the nation’s most senseless mass shootings. Heller and Vineyard responded with compassion and grace to the July 20, 2012, murder of 12 people at Aurora’s Century 16 Theater, and did so within hours of the incident. Both men were in Denver’s fastest- growing suburb on purpose. “It’s a time when Christ can


shine through the tragedy—an opportunity to show God’s love through the evil,” says Vineyard. The U.S. Army captain was in his fifth day on the job as a chaplain at Buckley Air Force Base when he was awakened at 4:30 a.m. with news of the shooting. Vineyard took off for the base and immediately began counseling. He is the sole Southern Baptist chaplain at Buckley, a joint base staffed by the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. “On Friday I did a lot of one- on-one grief counseling with the Navy guys,” says Vineyard. One of the victims, Petty Officer John Larimer, died. “Those who knew John personally were still in shock.” Vineyard and a Navy chaplain were on hand when Buckley AFB officers broke the news. Members of The Edge Church, located blocks away from the theater, were also at the complex, including Pierce O’Farrill who was one of the 58 people wounded in the shooting. Heller and members of The Edge began ministry soon


after learning of the tragedy. “One of our biggest areas of


ministry following the shooting has been to Pierce,” says Heller, who moved his family from Dallas, Texas, four years ago to launch The Edge. “He’s been in and out of the hospital three times with his wounds. He is one of the reasons so many people came to the church. He was on all the secular radio sta- tions and invited people to church on air. We had radio stations all over town promoting our service and giving our worship times.” God turned the Aurora tragedy into an amazing opportunity for ministry to the community. Sum- mer attendance had dropped to 300 or so in worship. The second Sunday following the shooting 713 people attended services at The Edge, and 13 people accepted


the help of the Colorado Baptist Convention. We felt our best fit was Aurora. Our call is to a suburban setting, and Aurora is the fastest- growing area in Denver with almost no church activity,” says Heller. Five people joined Heller and


his wife, Gena, in their living room to launch The Edge three years ago. The church now draws 400 in three worship services. “We baptized our 100th person


in May. We have seen 300 people accept Christ and have baptized 135 now. Summer outreach events for children–camps and clinics–are how we connect with most people. We had five partner churches come help us this summer. We have had great support from our partner churches, the Mile High Association and the state convention,” says Heller. What advice does Heller offer


“It’s a time when Christ can shine through the tragedy—an opportunity to show God’s love through the evil.”


Christ as Savior, says Heller. “We had licensed professional counselors at the service available for people to meet, and we pro- vided free counseling during the next week, too,” says Heller. “We’ve made financial contributions to sev- eral people affected by the shooting. We participated in the community prayer vigil attended by the mayor and governor.” Vineyard was also at the com-


munity service. The U.S. Army had brought the Iraqi combat veteran and Purple Heart winner to Aurora. Heller volunteered for his move. “We did not know a soul when


we moved here,” says Heller. “We prayed, visited 10 cities, prayed some more and felt a strong sense of call to Denver. “We settled on Aurora with


pastors exploring church planting? “Have a strong sense of calling


to an area,” says Heller. “When you get discouraged your calling is what you fall back on.” Vineyard and his wife, Amanda,


were recognized—and received a lengthy standing ovation—dur- ing the NAMB presentation at the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans. Days later they relocated to Aurora. Both men where


prepared and knew what to do when called on for service. Now they know more than ever why they are in Aurora. OM


Joe Conway is managing editor for On Mission. Mickey Noah is a writer for NAMB.


ON MISSION • Winter 2013 18 ACTION ITEM


View videos of Pierce O’Farrill and The Edge, and Jared Vineyard at namb.net/video.


PHOTO: © BRIAN CAHN/ZUMAPRESS.COM


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