INWOOD, W.Va. — Hundreds of Eastern Panhandle residents braved cold temps Friday night to gather in prayer for one of their own.
The vigil, in 30-degree weather, got started a little later than planned as folks were still filing in, picking up a red ribbon and writing well wishes to Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and his family.
Wolfe was critically injured in a November 26th attack in Washington DC that claimed the life of a fellow guard member, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
The event got underway with remarks by Chaplain Candidate and 2nd Lt. Kyle Hamlin, who was a speaker at a vigil earlier in the week attended by first responders. He began the event with a moment of silence for Beckstrom.
The speakers Friday evening echoed a common theme – the faith of the young man’s family and the power of prayer.
Jordan Butler is a pastor at Connections Community Church and one of the organizers of Friday’s vigil.
Pastor Jordan Butler
“This isn’t your typical service and it’s very cold,” Butler said, thanking the hundreds of Wolfe’s neighbors who sat in the stands.
“What has happened to Andy and Sarah is evil, undoubtedly. But despite how bad of a situation this is, I can’t ignore some of the good that has come from it.”
One of those positives he says, has been watching “South Berkeley and all over the country rise up and support Andy,” calling it one of the most encouraging things he’s ever seen.
“I have personally had countless people reach out to me saying that one of two things,” Butler said. “They started praying for the first time in a very long time or even better, they started praying for the very first time.”
Jordan Butler said Jason and Melody Wolfe, Andrew’s parents, had set a positive tone. He read a message written by Melody Wolfe soon after her son was injured. “We know that there is a long road to go. But our faith keeps us hopeful. We remain grateful for the prayers and the support from people all over the world. Our God is so good and I will continue to say this. Andy will have one heck of a testimony to share with all of us when this is over. We are praying for faith to be renewed and those who need it and for non believers that come to know Jesus as they witness this miracle happening right now with their precious boy.”
Governor Patrick Morrisey
Governor Patrick Morrisey made the trip to Berkeley County Friday for the vigil. He called the shootings a ‘heinous act.’
“I want to build on what the pastor said,” Governor Morrisey said. “All across West Virginia, all across the country – I think all across the globe we’re starting to see something very special happen,” referring to the outpouring of support.
“You know, over the last few days, the last week, I’ve had a chance to spend some time with Andrew’s family, with a lot of members of the community and with Sarah’s family as well. Sarah sacrificed her life for her country and for her state,” he said, adding he had spent time with some of the state’s guard members. He talked about the great love they had for the two soldiers and how the shooting has been very hard on them.
“These are very special people to them and so this is something that’s really hit, that there were two servicemen ambushed, senselessly attacked in the prime of their life.”
Despite the tragedy, the governor said, “I see something rising up,” he said “Because of the dedication, the faith that you see out of Melody and Jason. It’s unmatched.”
“I know that the first night that I went, I asked if there were things that we could do to be helpful. And Melody, without missing a beat, said ‘Governor, we only have one ask, just one request to make. Would you mind wherever you go ask people to pray for Andy.’”
Morrisey said prayer could lead to miracles. “I know that Jason and Melody believe that,” he said. “I believe that. That’s part of the reason why over the last week I’ve been trying to encourage everyone in West Virginia and across the country to pray.”
Morrisey brought a message to the families and friends of Beckstrom and Wolfe. “You are not alone. South Berkeley stands with you. West Virginia stands with you. Webster County stands with you. And West Virginia and the whole country are praying for you.”
The governor pledged that West Virginia would never forget the sacrifices of Sarah and Andrew.
Offering up prayer at the vigil Friday night was Pastor Ryan Parsons of New Life Community Church.
He marveled at “how impressively Andy is doing at this stage,” he said, crediting Melody Wolfe’s faith. “I’ve been talking to Melody. I’ve heard the faith of a mother that expects only this (improvement) to continue.”
He called the gathering “an opportunity to align every bit of the power of prayer in each one of our own souls together in one voice to petition the Almighty to act.”
“I don’t want you to think that prayer is some tacit thing that we do,” he said.
“What we are doing indeed is one of the most powerful things we can do. We’re enlisting the greatest resource God has given to the world to alter things. Indeed, one of the most powerful forces of mankind’s disposal, one of the greatest weapons against the evil of this present darkness of this day -pp- a mighty act called prayer.”
“We stand here tonight in solidarity, faith, and in hope to cry out to the only one that has the authority over all things in heaven and on earth, Jesus Christ.”
Pastor Ryan Parsons
Pastor Parsons led the assembly in a prayer that God “would see to it that our boy Andy come home healthy, whole, to a hero’s welcome.”
To SSgt. Wolfe’s family, Parsons said, “Jason, Melody. I want you to see it and know it well. We love you. The Community, yes, we love your boy. We love Andy. And we hope that this love and support on display here tonight will continue to help to encourage you to be the faithful parents that you have been. He’s your boy. But he’s our boy, too.”
Heavenly Father. We have gathered here tonight. Because we believe. We stand individual. We stand in this moment knowing. That you hear us, That you are a personal God who has gone to the furthest extent any god could do to show that you personally love us, that you would even become us and sacrifice your very humanity. That we could know you and then have a relationship with you, unfettered by all the struggles of sin that would hold us back and keep us on pure before you. But you, God, had made a way. That we could come boldly, your word says, to the throne of the grace. And that’s what we do tonight, God. We come boldly petitioning you that…you would answer with great favor and help and aid to one man who lays in a hospital bed — one man willing to serve his country, willing to sacrifice and to be like who you were as human savior.”
“We ask that you would recognize him now and you’d see got him there, and you would work in the most intricate ways to to mend and to mold his brain, his head and every bit of his body back. – Pastor Ryan Parsons
Taylor Allen is a teacher at Musselman High School who has worked with Jason Wolfe and who calls SSgt. Wolfe a friend.
She was among those who organized the vigil.” It really has been a collective. There’s been multiple parts,” She said, listing Musselman’s National Honor Society, Student council, maintenance crew, janitors, band.
“There’s just been multiple people that have really put in ideas and we thought it was extremely important to get the community together for Andy because Andy is a Musselman alum. He’s family. He’s a friend. So it is very important to us.
As to the crowd, who was still making its way to the bleachers at Waldeck field well past the time the vigil was set to begin, “We said in the beginning when we wanted to do this, even if 10 people showed up, it would be 10 people praying for Andy. So we’re grateful that people came out on this cold night to join the community in prayer.”
The vigil began with a flag ceremony from the school’s ROTC members as well as the singing of the national anthem and reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
For several minutes following the end of the program, members of the South Berkeley community waited in line to talk to Jason Wolfe and encourage him with a hug.
Several approached the governor and thanked him for making the trip.
He reflected on the week and the example of faith the people of West Virginia are giving nationwide.
“West Virginians are coming together in prayer for Andy to root him to better health,” Governor Morrisey said. “And the people here tonight are just incredible. They’re part of a movement across West Virginia which is having an effect.”
As for SSgt. Wolfe’s progress, he said, “Every day when you see just a little bit of progress. It’s so wonderful for the family, for the community, for the state.
“I’m just going to keep asking people to send prayers for Andy, for his family, to help lift Sarah’s soul up and for all the guardsmen who have to remain so strong during this very difficult time.”
On Friday, Governor Morrisey gave an update about Wolfe’s health:
His parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that he is beginning to “look more like himself.” Overall, the family expects that Andy will be in acute care for another 2-3 weeks, but has been optimistic about his progress.
Over the weekend, the West Virginia National Guard released a video update and Adjutant General Jim Seward briefed President Trump on SSgt. Wolfe’s condition.
Just before the vigil ended Friday night, those in attendance were asked to join in singing Amazing Grace.
Pastor Ryan Parsons encouraged the community to leave a light on in a front window or room to show support for the Wolfe family. Red ribbons are also being displayed as a show of support for SSgt. Wolfe.
