Models for Christ speaks out on New York City fashion industry shooting tragedy

(Photo credits: Jon Macapodi and Elbert Chu, showing 2011-2012 Fashion Night of Prayer events) This summer in the United States, we have had an unusually high number of shootings involving multiple victims. My first thoughts have always been for the families involved and what immense grief they must face after such senseless tragedy. The most recent of these shootings seemed more personal because it took place among fashion executives in New York City near the Empire State Building, a landmark I saw daily during my commute to work as a patternmaker in that area several years ago. An email from Models for Christ first alerted me to the tragedy, and Christina Nearman has granted me permission to reprint the letter and photos with appropriate credits the photographers listed above and to the Models for Christ organization.

August 24, 2012

Dear Friends,

We are sure many of you heard the tragic news about a women's apparel designer in NYC that shot and killed his former boss, shooting many innocent victims, before being fatally shot by police. [Editor's note: it was later discovered that all nine injured bystanders were hit by police bullets or bullet fragments, see Reuters.com.] We are praying for the victims and this individual's family and loved ones. This horrific news this morning emphasizes why Models for Christ exists and why our directors and servant leaders in NYC, Miami, and LA daily give of their time, energy, resources, and selves, in order to be lights in a sometimes dark and challenging environment of the fashion industry.

Christina and I, as International Directors of Models for Christ, have seen first hand people's lives dramatically change and lives physically and spiritually saved, over these last 15 years, as one begins to understand the Good News of Jesus Christ! We, along with our MFC Directors and servant-leaders are fully committed to bringing His HOPE, FREEDOM, LIGHT, LIFE, and TRUTH to those that are in need in the fashion industry.

Before each Fashion Week, bi-annually, MFC NYC will be hosting Fashion Night of Prayer, a gathering of those working in fashion, to come together and PRAY for our industry on Thursday, August 30th in NYC. MFC LA will be hosting Fashion Night of Prayer on Tuesday, September 4th in Hollywood. We also have many others hosting MFC Fashion Night of Prayers in other cities in Hawaii, South Africa, and abroad.

If you are in the industry and in NYC or LA, we encourage you to come together with us and PRAY for our industry co-workers, influencers, and for those impacting our culture and society! There are SO MANY out there that are lost and in need of God's love and Truth, and God hears us when we come together in unity and PRAY! If you are a member of MFC, then you can find out more information on our Facebook page under "Models for Christ." If you need more information, please email us at: contact (at) modelsforChrist (dot) com.

God bless you,
Shane and Christina Nearman
International Directors of Models for Christ