Friends, family gather at Avalon Baptist to remember Danika Troy
Avalon Baptist hosted community members and friends and family of the Troy’s for a candlelight vigil and prayer service outside of their church. The event not only featured prayers for hope and healing but songs of worship and praise.
Parking for the event filled up not only Avalon Baptist’s parking lot, but those of Lifeguard Ambulance, Krewe of Airship Pirates and Christian Life Church. A veterinary clinic nearby also offered parking.
Faith and Hope Counseling, which meets at Santa Rosa Baptist Association building, were in attendance for those in need. Prayer teams were available too.
The crowd gathered around heaters as Pastor Matthew Cotten and other church leaders addressed attendees.
“It’s really shown us a great deal about our community and how wonderful our community is, to see how great the turnout has been,” Cotten told the crowd. “Take your time here, listen to the words of the songs. Don’t leave here unchanged.”
The first song played was TobyMac’s “City on our knees.” One of the main lyrics of the song, which is repeated, is “If you gotta start somewhere, why not here?”
“We wanted to start with that song because why not start right now healing, loving one another and speaking light into the darkness,” Cotten said. “Grief is holy ground. If you will let the grief in, as long as you have the power of God, that grief cannot defeat you.”
“If you are here to find an explanation for why evil happens or how God could allow evil to happen, it’s an explanation you aren’t going to find until you find peace and you find peace through Jesus and His presence.”
Following a sermon from Cotten, associate pastors and youth members spoke about Danika and the Troy family.
“Danika was a funny person and… we love you and will always love you,” said Tim York, associate pastor and youth leader at Avalon Baptist.
The final part of the evening was the candlelight vigil itself.
Why Avalon Baptist?
According to Cotten, the Troy family has been attending the church for the past six years and Danika was baptized at the church around three years ago.
“Right before the pandemic, they really started coming here full time,” Cotten said. “My wife teaches Ashley’s (Danika’s mom’s) group, I’ve taught children’s worship and Chris and Tim have taught youth. Danika’s been in youth for a couple of years. It’s been a miracle to watch that family grow.”
Cotten added, “It’s honestly miraculous how they’ve done through this. Yes, (Danika’s mom) is broken hearted, but they are putting their faith in the right place.”