{"id":895,"date":"2018-11-14T17:16:32","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T23:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/11\/she-lived-and-loved-like-jesus-youth-pastor-among-those-killed-in-california-shooting-faithwire\/"},"modified":"2018-11-11T17:17:22","modified_gmt":"2018-11-11T23:17:22","slug":"she-lived-and-loved-like-jesus-youth-pastor-among-those-killed-in-california-shooting-faithwire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thelight.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/14\/she-lived-and-loved-like-jesus-youth-pastor-among-those-killed-in-california-shooting-faithwire\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018She Lived and Loved Like Jesus\u2019: Youth Pastor Among Those Killed In California Shooting \u2013 Faithwire"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As more details continue to emerge about Wednesday night\u2019s brutal mass shooting, it has been confirmed that a female youth pastor was among the 12 victims. Noel Sparks was a leader at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. Her death was confirmed by the church\u2019s senior pastor, Shawn Thornton, in a posted to Facebook.<\/p>\n

California Shooting Survivor Weeps as He Apologizes for Fleeing After Saving Son<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost a staff member,\u201d said Thornton. \u201cNoel Sparks. She and her mom have been a part of Calvary since she was 15, and she has now stepped into the presence of the Lord. It has been heavy for us, there have been some tears shed, we\u2019ve had some tough conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Noel Sparks. Image source: Facebook\/Noel Sparks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thornton added that a \u201cnumber of our families have been directly affected\u201d by the shooting that claimed the lives of some 12 people and injured several more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want you to know we are praying,\u201d Thornton assured, saying that the church is holding prayer vigils and worship services over the next few days.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are actively seeking to minister to our community and to be here for them and for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Adults pastor Brian Howard said that people should pray for those who survived the shooting, and ask that they would \u201chave faith and hope,\u201d heeding the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians. Howard also urged people to pray that those affected by the shooting would know that \u201chealing really does come through the gospel of Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, that they would have love,\u201d he said. \u201cLove for one another and the hurting and the broken. That they would know the love of God in Christ for them in this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Image source: GoFundMe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thornton also noted that the church\u2019s \u201ccare ministry\u201d is \u201cready to serve and help\u201d at this devastating time.<\/p>\n

Some of Sparks\u2019 friends have taken to social media to express their sorrow at her loss.<\/p>\n

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Spark\u2019s good friend, Sarah Penrose, said the young ministry worker was a gifted and passionate dancer.\u00a0\u201cAs we say at Calvary often, she lived and loved like Jesus,\u201d Penrose told KTXL<\/a>. \u201cShe was genuinely caring, and loved serving people. She definitely left a legacy of selfless servitude.\u201d<\/p>\n