COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – A Coeur d’Alene pastor who was shot outside his church back in March returned to work on Sunday.
Pastor Tim Remington returned to the Altar Church to preach at the services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Many who attended the service had no idea he would be returning Sunday.
Remington was shot multiple times on March 6 while walking to his car after service at the church. Remington suffered many injuries, including a ripped colon and leg and shoulder wounds, from the shooting.
The suspected shooter, Kyle Odom, was arrested in Washington D.C. the day after the shooting. Odom has been transferred by to Idaho and is being held in the Kootenai County Jail. He was originally facing an Attempted Murder charge but prosecutors amended the charge to Aggravated Battery. The charge also includes a deadly weapons enhancements. Each carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Remington's sermon on Sunday reflected on his time in the hospital.
"Doctors say I've healed 75% faster than the average person," said Remington.
However, Remington said his recovery was not easy. He mentioned that he was visited by strange dreams that weakened his faith. He even admitted that he wanted to give up on life.
"Four days I laid in the hospital not knowing if I was going to make it. At one point I told Cindy 'I love you. Tell the kids I love them, too,' because I wanted to go. I didn't want to go through this anymore. It hurt," said Remington.
Remington preached about being a witness to miracles and following Christ fully. But, through his struggle, he found one message for his community.
"There's only one thing that saved my life, that was God," Remington said to the crowd.
Remington is not completely recovered. He still has some nerve damage in his right arm, but he is back to preaching at the Altar Church.
