Locals pray for victims of Sri Lanka church bombings on Easter Sunday

More than 200 people have died and hundreds more were hurt this Easter Sunday after eight bombs went off in Sri Lanka targeting Christian churches.

“It was a shock when I saw it," said Pastor Nelson Ortega. Ortega has been with Calvary Chapel

Jacksonville for 10 years. Sunday morning he learned hundreds of people had died in Sri Lanka who were gathering to celebrate Easter Mass.

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Powerful explosions tore through three churches packed with worshipers on one of the most sacred days for Christians.

“We’re saddened over that but it’s not a surprise that believers in Christ will have such suffering,” said Ortega.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the attacks in a statement Sunday morning, saying several U.S. citizens also died in the attack.

The blast also killed people in three nearby hotels.

Ortega says his church will be praying for those who lost their lives.

“We will probably have people that will ask for prayers.  Something along the lines of somebody who knows somebody, and we will just try to comfort and encourage as much as we can,” said Ortega.

Carol Lapkovitch goes to Calvery Chapel and was shocked to hear what happened on Easter.

“That’s a shame because, I mean, this is the day that Jesus was resurrected. He gave his life for us. My prayers go out to them ... the families that lost the loved ones,” said Lapkovitch.

Ortega says despite what happened in Sri Lanka people shouldn’t be afraid of expressing their faith.

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“We don’t want to lose heart because there is an attack, there is kind of persecution, we just want to be strong in the Lord and when He shows up the faith overcomes the fear."

Action News Jax has reached out to five other churches, including the Diocese of St. Augustine, to talk about how other Christian communities are responding and if there will be any collections planned next week.

Cox Media Group