Posted: October 27, 2006

A man who came into the People's Church in Salem, Ore., ignited a can of
gasoline and started spraying the flames onto people needs Jesus as his
Savior, and members of the Assemblies of God congregration where he
staged his attack are praying for him, according to a pastoral assistant.

Sam Miller spoke less than a day after a man police identified as Cam
Shing Chan, 53, came into the Wednesday evening worship service carrying
gasoline in cans in a gym bag, ignited the liquid and launched his attack.

Chan was being held on charges of attempted aggravated murder, attempted
first-degree assault, first-degree arson and reckless burning, according
to the Marion County prosecuting attorney's office. The sheriff's office
said there was no clear motive. "We probably will interview him again,
and then interview him again," a spokesman said.

Miller said it happened probably 16 or 17 minutes into the service.

"The gentleman came into the church, and had a couple gas cans inside a
gym bag," he said. "When everyone was standing and praying, and most
people with their eyes closed, he ignited the gas can opening, and was
shaking it and throwing flaming gasoline on people and pews and carpeting.

"Since people had their eyes closed in prayer, it took awhile before
anyone realized what was going on. Then two or three men rushed him and
tackled him, placed him outside the building," Miller said.

The building was evacuated with moderate fire and smoke damage, he said.
One woman suffered 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns and was treated and released.

Authorities reported the man, who is to appear in court today, earlier
had been involved in a fracas with a cab driver who was ordered to take
him to the church, and the driver sustained a minor cut injury.

"None of us has ever seen him before," Miller said. "He's a man with a
criminal history and a history of mental illness. And we're a very
visible church on the main thoroughfare of a city."

He said there were about 600 people on the church campus at the time of
the attack, with about 300 of those in the worship service.

"I think the people are for the most part surprised. I would not
categorize them as outraged, not even upset. The word I've used is
concerned. I just feel like our folks are concerned for one another and
for this man who has some very serious problems," Miller said.

"Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people,"
he said. "The Bible tells us the rain falls on the just and the unjust.
We just view it as rain falling in the just. We do feel for this
gentleman, and pray he will find Christ as his savior. We do forgive him."

Police reports say the bizarre situation developed when the suspect
allegedly hijacked a cab, pulling a knife on the driver and forcing him
to drive to the church.