Church reached out to Yates to help with funerals
Patty
http://www.zondervanchurchsource.com/brfng10.htm
HOUSTON CHURCH REACHES OUT TO FATHER OF SLAIN CHILDREN
HOUSTON, Tex. (EP) Funeral services were held June 27 for five Houston children
who were allegedly drowned in the family bathtub by their mother. Andrea Yates
is charged with one count of capital murder, and other charges may follow.
Her husband, Russell Yates, delivered his children's eulogy during the funeral
service at Clear Lake Church of Christ. Preaching pastor Byron Fike said it's
the "church's duty to serve them," even though the Yateses aren't members of the
congregation. The church is three blocks from the Yates' home. "The Yateses are
our neighbors, and in the name of Jesus Christ we are going to bandage their
wounds."
Police called to the Yates' home in a Houston suburb June 20 found the lifeless
bodies of the children, still damp from being drowned. Police say Andrea Yates
confessed to the killings, telling them, "I killed my children." Authorities
believe Andrea Yates killed her children because of an extreme case of
postpartum depression. Andrea was raised Catholic and Russell was a Methodist
who was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a high school student.
The two were reported active in their Christian faith, and the T-ball team
Russell coached prayed before each game.
The church issued the following news release:
"Russell and Andrea Yates are not members of the Clear Lake Church of Christ,
but they are our neighbors. In fact their house is about a two minute walk from
my office door. My involvement began when a person helping the family plan the
funeral recommended they talk to me. We are going to serve them for no other
reason than that they have a great need, and we can do some things to help. Our
Lord Jesus has helped each of us when we were in desperate need of him. As his
servants, we are going to allow his love to flow through us to help the Yates.
"Jesus has taught us that the greatest command is to love God and the second
greatest command is to love our neighbors. On hearing this, a scribe asked Jesus
the question, “And who is my neighbor?” In response, Jesus told a story about a
man who was beaten and robbed and left to die. Several passed by refusing to
help. Finally, a despised Samaritan bandaged his wounds, medicated his injuries,
and provided everything he could to take care of his needs. Our instructions
from Jesus are clear: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:25-37).
"Russell and Andrea Yates are our neighbors. In keeping with Jesus’ teachings,
we are going to serve them as if they were Jesus Christ himself in our midst."