Baltimore pastor delivers easter sermon after gunshot
Just days after surviving an armed carjacking that left him with a gunshot wound, Pastor Rashad Singletary returned to the pulpit Sunday at Mount Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station, delivering a message of hope to his congregation. The incident, a stark reminder of the violence plaguing Baltimore, has instead fueled a powerful display of resilience and faith.
A bold return to service
Singletary recounted the harrowing events to WJZ, explaining that he was moving vehicles in his driveway Wednesday when a suspect approached, demanding his keys. Before he could respond, a shot rang out, striking Singletary in the foot. “Took out a 9mm and took a shot,” he recalled, describing how the suspect then seized his car and sped away. Remarkably, adrenaline propelled Singletary to pursue the fleeing vehicle in his wife’s car, an impulse he ultimately resisted, heeding a sense of caution.
The fractured foot and the trauma of the encounter would have been enough to sideline most, but Singletary felt a profound duty to his community. “It behooved me that despite going through what I went through that Wednesday, that my call was greater than my crisis,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining his role as a spiritual leader. He chose to demonstrate not just survival, but a defiant spirit, a beacon of hope amidst adversity.
Singletary's words resonated deeply with his congregation. “The devil thought he could stop me by getting me shot this week, but turn to your neighbor and say, 'Neighbor, he is a bulletproof God,'” he proclaimed, a line that immediately became a rallying cry. It's a sentiment that speaks volumes about the unwavering faith that anchors his ministry and the community he serves.
While the investigation into the carjacking continues, the enduring image is not one of victimhood, but of a leader facing down adversity with unwavering resolve. The incident has underscored a stark reality – even those dedicated to uplifting their communities are not immune to its challenges – but also highlighted the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of faith in the face of violence. The pastor’s return to the pulpit wasn't just a service; it was a declaration.