Running to Ministry: Church Reaches Out After Boston Marathon Explosions

In the wake of the Boston Marathon explosions, ConnectingPoint Church canceled its weekly running program and instead held a vigil for those touched by tragedy.

“It’s a tough day. We’re here to comfort people," said Eric Sahlberg, the Pastor at ConnectingPoint that holds its Sunday services at the Marlborough Middle School. “This evil sometimes doesn’t make sense but in the end Jesus wins."

Government and police officials are still attempting to discern exactly what happened Monday in Boston when two explosions rocked the finish line at the marathon at 2:50 p.m. A decision was made in Marlborough to cancel a weekly 5K program and instead hold a vigil.

“When we got the news of what was happening in Boston we sent out an email," said Sahlberg who explained that the group usually draws 60 to 70 people. “We cancelled mostly from a security standpoint, but secondly we do want to provide compassion that only Jesus can provide."

It is that compassion which two other pastors Sahlberg knows ended up providing in Boston on a day when they expected to be two more spectators at the marathon. They were near the finish line when the explosions happened, he said. Sahlberg found out through Facebook the pair were fine and that they had turned to ministering to shocked people at the finish line.

“They were just down there to watch and cheer people on but quickly it turned into a time when ministry needed to take place,” he said explaining that they set up two blocks away from the explosions on Berkley Street.

Sahlberg himself ministered to a dozen people who came down to the trail they would normally run on. Among the group was Bill Schade who leads the Couch to 5k program and runs with the Highland City Striders.

“Some of the striders are running in the Marathon," said Sahlberg.

Sahlberg said that he is available to talk or pray with anyone. They can call him at 508-596-1121.