While Southern Baptists are deeply grieved with the loss of brothers and sisters who were brutally slain in Iraq two days ago. These dear ones -- Larry and Jean Elliott, Karen Watson and David McDonnall -- lived and died for their precious Lord. Their lives and sacrifice demonstrate the life and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Clyde Meador, the International Mission Board's (IMB) executive vice president said, "We know we are not alone in our grief. Many Americans and Iraqis have lost their lives in recent months. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the families, their friends and our colleagues who are grieving this tragic loss. Although service in Iraq is risky, these workers were there because of God's love for the Iraqi people, not because it was a safe place."

Southern Baptists have sought ways to share God’s love with the Iraqi people. Last fall Southern Baptist churches in the United States sent more than 3 million pounds of food to Iraq. The workers involved in this attack were researching the need for future humanitarian projects.

"Our personnel, as Americans and Christians, are well aware of the risk of living and serving in a place like Iraq. Yet their love for the Iraqi people and obedience to the conviction of God’s leadership have been expressed in a willingness to take that risk, even to giving their lives."

The five were in a car in eastern Mosul in northern Iraq when they were attacked with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Their assailants remain unidentified.

Southern Baptists are concerned for a fifth colleague, they are praying for the full and speedy recovery of Carrie McDonnall, who was critically injured and lost her husband in this vicious attack.

SBC President Jack Graham, in a statement to Baptist Press, said, "While we deeply grieve for this loss of life, we also rejoice in the sure confidence that our brothers and sisters are in the presence of Christ."

Certainly many of them travel to dangerous places and distant places to fully carry the cross and the message of the Gospel. But they also understand the great reward.

A team of Missouri Baptists had been scheduled to depart for Iraq March 20, but that trip has now been canceled. Future MBC trips to Iraq have been postponed as convention leaders assess how best to proceed with the partnership. The MBC is the only state convention with a partnership with Iraq through the International Mission Board.

The Missouri convention is purchasing the plane tickets for Carrie McDonnall's parents, Jon and Margaret Taylor of Dallas, to fly to Germany to be with their daughter.

Morris H. Chapman is president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee said, "These four brave souls embodied the truth of this passage -- they had sanctified Christ as Lord, they were ready to give a defense of their faith with gentleness and reverence, they suffered for the sake of righteousness, and now they are indeed most blessed as they have been ushered into the very presence of God. May God grant each of us the strength and grace to follow their example."