What Significant Event Happened To Paul On The Road To Damascus?

Pastor Shares Heartbreaking Confession

During a recent sermon, Pastor Allan Kendrick of Oasis of Praise Church in Bessemer, Alabama, opened up about the immense difficulties his family faced in securing mental health care for his grandson, Brandon Allan Kendrick. Brandon, who is accused of the tragic murders of his wife and four children, had struggled for years with schizophrenia. Pastor Kendrick, 71, detailed the family’s relentless but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to navigate the obstacles presented by various government agencies, including Medicaid. He recounted that these bureaucratic hurdles often led to Brandon being discharged from hospitals without the necessary medication or follow-up care.

Brandon Kendrick, 32, faces five counts of capital murder for the deaths of his wife, Kelse Kendrick, 24, his children Kaleb, 6, and Kynli, 2, along with their cousins Colton, 8, and Haley Daniels, 6. The incident took place in a garage apartment on Pastor Kendrick’s property in West Blocton, roughly 40 miles south of Birmingham. The authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a child had been shot, leading to the discovery of the tragic scene.

Pastor Kendrick shared how he and his wife had been the primary caregivers for Brandon since he was 12 years old, following years of abuse. Despite their numerous attempts to get Brandon the help he needed, the support system failed them, especially after Brandon turned 18 and lost his disability benefits and Medicaid coverage. This financial strain made it nearly impossible for them to afford his medication. On the night of the tragedy, Brandon had been interacting normally with his grandparents, showing no signs of the impending violence.

In his sermon, Pastor Kendrick expressed his belief that divine intervention played a role in protecting him and his wife during the attack. He described how their prayer team had prayed for their safety just an hour before the shooting. He also recounted how his wife managed to wrestle the gun away from Brandon when he entered their bedroom, preventing further harm. Despite the horror of the situation, Pastor Kendrick noted that Brandon appeared disoriented and unaware of his actions soon after the incident.

Pastor Kendrick used this heartbreaking event to underscore the importance of a strong relationship with God, emphasizing that without spiritual strength, individuals are more susceptible to evil influences. He urged his congregation to be spiritually prepared to face the challenges posed by such forces, regardless of their mental health status.