Faith helps family deal with death of teen

DOWAGIAC, Mich. -- An entire community is mourning the loss of Rebecca Walker, the 15-year-old Dowagiac teen who was killed Wednesday in a car crash.


Rebecca’s family’s pastor says it’s been an incredibly tough couple of days, but their faith in god is what is getting them through.


“It’s been pretty traumatic for everyone involved,” said Pastor Casey Helmuth.


Rebecca was killed Wednesday when the car her brother was driving lost control on ice covered M 51.


This week, instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, her mother and father are planning their daughter’s funeral.


“We’ve been able to stand upon the promise that Rebecca has went on and is in a better place than we are today,” said Helmuth.


But her absence at the church will be felt.


She sang in the choir, was learning to play the piano, and was even a part of the church’s drama ministry—a ministry her mother was the director of.


“Not only is her mom going through the loss of a child but the loss of someone in your ministry," said Helmuth.


But Pastor Helmuth says even now, the family feels blessed that their son Nathan survived that tragic accident.


He is in the hospital, but is expected to recover.


This Sunday the church will be holding a special service called “The Rebecca Impact Service”. It will be at Apostolic Lighthouse Church at 10 in the morning and is open to the public.


A viewing will take place Monday evening from 6 to 8.


The funeral will be Tuesday at 11.

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