Batavia Church Chair Undergoes Reconstructive Surgery

Thomas Wright was shot four times after two intruders broke into the family's home in St. Charles, Illinois, at about 1:30 in the morning. The shooting occurred less than a day after Wright's teenaged son, Christopher, died. Police are investigating a possible link between the two events.

Surgeons placed a rod in his left femur that was shattered and reconstructed his right forearm, according to Mark Nilson, pastor of Batavia Covenant. Nilson said the family appreciates the prayers of Covenanters during this difficult time. He says that little public information is available because of the ongoing criminal investigation. Nilson said "the family is safe and doing well."

Last Friday evening, Nilson led a prayer service for the Wright family. More than 250 people attended, according to Jennine Doenges, administrative assistant at Batavia Covenant. A letter from Wendy Wright, Tom's wife, was read at the service. According the Daily Herald, Wendy Wright described how her faith has helped her deal with the tragedies the family has experienced.

She shared her sense of thankfulness for some of the ways the family has seen God at work. A slight variance in the bullets' paths could have proved fatal for her husband, she said. The family's other children were not at home the night of the shooting. "The grace of God is with us," Wright's letter reads. "The miracle is evident."

Members of both Batavia Covenant Church and Winnetka Covenant Church, where the Wrights are former members, have been in constant prayer for the family. A team of volunteers has been at the hospital each night. "Two volunteers have been there from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night," said Doenges. "Wendy has been in (the hospital room) with Tom, but she knows that we are there and she can come out to talk or to pray with us. She is doing remarkably well."

Funeral services for Christopher were held Monday morning of this week.

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