Contact:  Wendy Henkelman, Dare 2 Share Ministries, 800-462-8355 ext. 221, wendy@dare2share.org

DENVER, April 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- Eight years ago, we had no idea the depth or breadth of the tragedy that was unfolding just twenty minutes down the road from us at Columbine High School. And today, as the details continue to surface following last week's horrific events at Virginia Tech, we can't help but join others in thinking long and hard about what was to blame for this tragedy. However, we still look forward to the future with hope.

While Virginia Tech students and faculty were back on campus Monday, attempting to resume class schedules and college life in the midst of their grief, many are struggling to find answers to the tough questions that arise from tragedy.

Students are wrestling with the difficult questions of how to comfort those who lost close friends.

David Patton, a 19-year-old freshmen who lost two friends in the shooting commented:

I've been back with my friends, but I don't know how it's going to feel, seeing the empty seats in the classroom, noticing the people who aren't here anymore.  I'm wondering where they are now, if they are in heaven, and when I'll see them again.

Dare 2 Share Ministries is striving to help communicate answers to the deeper questions of "Why does evil exist?" and "Is there a reason for hope?"

Greg Stier, President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, is issuing a challenge to Christians to step up and bring a message of hope and love on campuses across the nation:

If the church, of all shapes and stripes, can unite together and reach out to prevent future school shootings, then we can do more than all the legislation and political preening combined that has transpired over the last eight years since Columbine. If we can unleash our young people as ambassadors of Christ's love on campuses and in communities across the country then I'm convinced that less young blood will be spilled in senseless acts of violence. I believe that this is infinitely more impacting as a solution than gun control or campus security measures – Greg Stier

Claire Guzinski, a resident of West Ambler Johnston Hall, where Clark and Hilscher were slain is nervous about talking to classmates who lost close friends.

What do you say?

Lane Palmer, Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share and former Columbine Youth Pastor, posted an article for pastors and youth workers to better equip them to help those in their care as they process this horrible tragedy:

You are a pastor or church leader who, as a shepherd, has the responsibility of ministering to your flock in the midst of a national tragedy. And as you know, when wickedness is allowed to rear its ugly head (and seemingly triumph) in situations like this, God opens new doors of opportunity to turn what was meant for evil and use it for good. But the question is...how? How do we try and make sense out of senseless violence and discharge our ministerial duties at a time when they are needed the most? – Lane Palmer

For the full article, see www.dare2share.org/articles/virginia-tech-a-pastoral-response-to-an-unspeakable-tragedy

Dare 2 Share (D2S) is a church assisting ministry that provides resources for youth leaders and equips teens to know, live, share & own their faith in Jesus. D2S also conducts nationwide youth conferences and is currently in 11 cities across the country for the 2006-07 tour. D2S is based in Denver, Colorado and has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 teens.