The recent shooting in Monterey Park, Los Angeles has left the surrounding community in shock. Local churches and Christian organizations have come alongside those who are grieving, offering comfort, counsel, and hope in the aftermath of the tragedy that has devastated not just a neighborhood, but the nation.

On the night of Saturday, January 21, a gunman opened fire at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, killing 11 people and injuring nine. Six women and five men were killed; the victims ranged in age from their 50s to 70s. 

The attack occurred on the eve of Lunar New Year, and as Monterey Park is a predominantly Asian-American area, sorrow swept over the New Year celebrations planned for the next morning. 

River of Life, a church that meets just four blocks from the Star Ballroom, had planned to hold a worship service and a potluck Sunday morning, but pastor Jesse Chang pivoted to an online service when news of the shooting broke. His message centered around Psalm 13, a passage filled with heavy lament, as he encouraged attendees to process their emotions with the Lord. He then placed the congregation in breakout rooms so they could discuss with one another. 

“It was hard, but I think it was what we needed to do,” Chang told Christianity Today. 

The same day, Chang, along with the Clergy Community Coalition, gathered with church and city leaders for a solidarity prayer event outside Monterey Park City Hall. Together, they mourned with community members and prayed for God’s presence to be upon those grieving. 

The St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church held a special Mass in honor of the victims the following Friday night. Over 100 people gathered to remember those they had lost. One of the victims, 68-year-old Valentino Marcos Alvero, was a long-time parishioner of St. Stephen Martyr. Martha Sanchez, a parishioner at the service, told the LA Times that when she heard he was killed, “what came to mind was the day of [his daughter’s] wedding. It was just so joyful. He was so proud to walk her down the aisle.” Alvero’s family has asked for prayer during this challenging time. 

Churches across the nation are sending condolences and resources to Monterey Park, including representatives from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. Chaplains trained to aid those in crisis, including some who are fluent in Mandarin, were dispatched to LA a few days after the attack. They spent the week at the site of the shooting, providing emotional and spiritual support to those mourning their lost loved ones. 

Garrett Ho, a pastor at the Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles three miles away from the attack, told Christianity Today, “How do we lead our church members through the process of grief and their understanding of what took place? That is a question before us. I think we’re still processing it.”