Lansing Church opens doors for community in grief

Josh Sanchez
·2 min read

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Prayer and songs filled the room at the West Lansing Church of Christ as part of a vigil to honor and remember the lives of the vigil of 30-year-old Johnathan Esch and 42-year-old Daniel Harris. The men were killed in a crash Saturday evening in Watertown Township. 

The men were struck and killed after police said a woman hit them with her car and 14 other people- walking on a road. The victims range in age from 61 years old to the youngest victims, only 2 years old.

Members of the media were asked to give those making their way inside space to privately honor and remember the families impacted by the crash Saturday evening.

Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.
Inside Wednesday’s prayer service to remember those killed over the weekend in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Watertown Twp. Courtesy Photo: Catrina Kennedy.

But photos shared with 6 News show rows of people filling up the chairs inside. Esch was a firefighter with Lansing township, tonight, emergency services social media accounts are paying tribute, as well.

Organizers said scripture was read in between prayers and notes of encouragement were left on poster board to be given to the families. Preaching Minister Gary Kennedy … was glad he could open up the church Wednesday night to offer a refuge for a community in grief.

“We just want families to know, our community to know that we care about people, god loves people, and we do too, and so we want to be there for them in the most intimate way we possibly can, and that is to be praying for them, and caring about them, and helping them in whatever way we possibly can,” he said.

Firefighter/Paramedic Johnathan Allen Esch. Courtesy Photo Lansing Township Fire Department.
Firefighter/Paramedic Johnathan Allen Esch. Courtesy Photo Lansing Township Fire Department.

The photos inside are a glimpse of a community coming together in song and heart.

“We want family members to know that there are people who care about them from all over,” said Kennedy.

Monetary donations for the families were also collected during the service. Online donations can be made here. 

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