Remembering Peter Kassig

As the extremist group ISIS continues its reign of terror over parts of Iraq and Syria, we watch in horror as ISIS hostages are killed. The most recent killing was of American Peter Kassig, in what President Obama called, “an act of pure evil by a terrorist group that the world rightly associates with inhumanity.”

Kassig was an American aid worker and a former U.S. soldier. He started the nonprofit group SERA (Special Emergency Response and Assistance) and dedicated his life to helping people in war-torn areas. Last year, Kassig was seized in Syria by the extremist terrorist group while deliver relief supplies. Kassig was an only child child and is praised as a compassionate humanitarian. He was quoted saying, “I guess I am just a hopeless romantic, and I am an idealist, and I believe in hopeless causes.”He considered serving others his life’s calling.

Kassig joins ISIS victims James Foley, David Haines, Steven Sotloff, Alan Henning, and Herve Goudel.

Let us take this moment to honor those who have lost their lives. Let us remember them all for their compassion, dedication, and bravery.

  • Peter Kassig was a humanitarian worker who willingly put himself in harms way to help others. What lessons might we learn from his life of service to others?

  • Who are other humanitarians or people you know personally who have made a sacrifice to help others?

  • Is there a passion for serving others in your heart? How might you live out that passion?