Faith Community Steps Up in Wake of Orlando Nightclub Tragedy

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando is still reeling from the worst terrorist shooting in U.S. history. As the city and the LGBT community grieve the terrible loss of life, many are offering support and compassion, including the Church.

Israel Martin is pastor of First Baptist Orlando. After visiting a local hospital, he warned we have not yet seen the end of the death count.

"Some people right now are dying in the hospital," he told CBN News. "For example I knew about a young lady who received eight shots and she's dying, and the family is destroyed."

Even so, hospital officials continue working overtime to save those in critical condition.

Miraculously, the Orlando Regional Medical Center is located just blocks from Pulse nightclub, and it is the only Level 1 trauma center in all of central Florida, meaning the facility is significantly better equipped than the average hospital to handle a catastrophe of this level.

Pat Stuart is the husband of one of the first responders.

"She said she's never seen people pull together," he said of his wife. "They were amazing."

All around Orlando, people are pulling together, with Good Samaritans handing out water and food while donors wait for hours in line to give blood.

"When a tragedy like this happens we all need to get out there and do what we can for the people we can," one resident, identified as Shannon, said.

"This person, he meant to strike fear, but love conquers fear, so I guess we win," another resident, Geizi Rojas, said.

It's a strong message against the terrorism that struck the city.

"Orlando absolutely is going to come out stronger," volunteer Robin Maynard said. "There's no amount of hate, no amount of hate that's going to put us in fear, no amount." 

"There is way more love and good in the world than there is hate and we will make sure that we come back, that we embrace one another, that we heal, and then that we move forward," he vowed.

Pastor Martin's church has volunteered to host funeral services free of charge.

"I still have in my mind the picture of the faces when they receive the notification," he said. "Only God can give comfort to their heart because they are broken."

Meanwhile, one memorial sits in between the nightclub where the massacre occurred, and the hospital where the victims were taken. It has continued to grow in size throughout the week, and is a place where mourners are gathering to love and support each other during this difficult time.