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Debbie Gillette, pastor Al Meredith's secretary, remembers the moment when Bush entered the house.

"It was so unbelievable. He just quietly slipped into the room," Gillette said. "I remember thinking how incredible it was that the governor of Texas was in the house and he was praying. He was earnestly praying for us. It was a touching moment."

"There wasn't any fanfare or big entourage," she said. "It was just George Bush. That made a strong impact on all of us."

Bush said his purpose at the pastor's home that night was not political. It was spiritual. "They really didn't care who I was," Bush said. "And frankly, they didn't pay much attention to me because they were in prayer. We were all in prayer. And my purpose that night was to just be there in prayer with them."

"It was a powerful moment for me," Bush said. "This guy (Meredith) was a strong, strong believer." After their meeting that night, Meredith invited Bush to speak at the church and a special ceremony honoring the victims at Texas Christian University. Bush declined.

"It wasn't my moment," Bush said, noting that he was there to mourn the victims and pray for the survivors. In the weeks following the shooting, Bush noticed a peculiar trend across the state. "I went by a high school and it was 'See You at the Pole' day. And they had more students than ever that day," he said.

"You know, people search for something good in times of darkness, and our faith provides that. That's a wonderful thing about Christianity. There is spiritual reassurance," Bush said.

Bush said he is hopeful that America is on the verge of a religious awakening, but it can only happen through the people. "It's certainly not going to be caused by the government," Bush said. "Government can't pass a law or pass a resolution, but the president can be welcoming, can welcome people of all faith."

Copyright 2000 © Baptist Press.

Learn more about Bush's policies at georgewbush.com.

Previous Christianity Today stories about Bush include:

A Presidential Hopeful's Progress | The spiritual journey of George W. Bush starts in hardscrabble west Texas. Will the White House be his next stop? (Sept. 5, 2000)

Bush and Gore Size Up Prolife Running Mates | Will abortion stances play an influential role in Vice Presidential selection? (July 17, 2000)

Bush's Faith-Based Plans | Bush argues that private religious organizations can partner successfully with government. (October 25, 1999)

Can I get a Witness? | Candidate testimonies must move beyond piety to policy. (August 9, 1999)

Our coverage of Lockhart's "perpetrators of religious hatred" remark includes:

Baptist Congressmen Call for Clinton Press Secretary Resignation | Offense taken by official's 'religious hatred' comment (Dec. 28, 1999)

Clinton Press Secretary Apologizes for Remarks | Baptist congressmen still call for resignation (Dec. 30, 1999)

Senate Majority Leader Calls For Public Apology | Brouhaha over press secretary's 'hate crimes' comment continues (Jan. 6, 2000)

Articles on the Wedgwood Baptist shootings from Christianity Today and our sister publications include:

What Was God Doing at Wedgwood? | After the shooting, the church sees good amid the evil.—Christian Reader (Mar./Apr. 2000)

Lessons from Wedgwood Baptist | Questions you ask when violence walks in the door—Your Church (Mar./Apr. 2000)

Church Shooting Creates New Martyrs—Christianity Today (Oct. 25, 1999)

Other articles about Bush and religion are available from various sources:

How George W. Found God | George (Sept. 2000)

Religion On the Left, Religion On the Right | U.S. News (Aug. 21, 2000)

A Minister Tops the Bush List | CNN (May 30, 2000)

Stay On the Right, Bush Told | The Chicago Tribune (April 8, 2000)

Evangelical Leader Rips Candidates | The Associated Press (March 8, 2000)

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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September (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44