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NOVEMBER 10, 2009 ARCHIVED STORIES:
KILLEEN, Texas (BP)--Jerry Jewell had visited there before, conveying a heartfelt message: "Jesus Christ loves you and He desires to save you, and that is why I am here." Most of the Muslims at the Islamic Community Center of Killeen had been friendly, even eager, for dialogue, said Jewell, pastor of Living Hope: The Church in the Field in the nearby town of Copperas Cove.
 | | At the Islamic Community Center of Killeen, Texas, Southern Baptist pastor Jerry Jewell dropped by the day after the deadly shooting spree at nearby Fort Hood. |
It had been a year since Jewell last visited the mosque, but he said he felt the Holy Spirit nudge him last Friday, "You should go visit."
Then a phone call -- from a Christian friend who had accompanied the Southern Baptist pastor to the mosque to engage his Muslim neighbors -- confirmed it. "You might want to check in to see how they are doing," the friend told Jewell in an unsolicited call.
News reports said alleged Fort Hood shooter Nadal Malik Hasan had visited the mosque the morning of the attack. "I figure the best way to keep someone from going out and doing other people harm is to bring them to Christ," Jewell said. "If we hate them, then we are denying Christ."
So a day after Hasan allegedly gunned down 12 of his fellow American soldiers and a civilian, caused the death of an unborn baby and wounded 29 others, Jewell said he somewhat reluctantly drove to the Muslim mosque housed in a red one-story building in Killeen. Once there, he saw that news reporters had filled the lawn and a police officer was screening those wishing to enter the building.
"Are you a member?" the policeman inquired as Jewell approached the mosque entrance. "No," Jewell answered. "I am a Baptist pastor. But I visit with these guys and wanted to come in and see how they are doing." Read More
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