| Cassie Rene' Bernall was born November 6th, 1981. In the early years of her life, Cassie struggled with witchcraft and friends. She would often express feelings of emotion and overwhelming hatred toward her parents. Misty Bernall recalls that her daughter had always been Daddy's little girl, but when she reached high school, that girl no longer existed. Cassie's parents placed her in a Christian school and removed any communication between her and her potentially harmful friends. Cassie began attending youth group at West Bowles Christian Community Church. She became involved. In 1997, Cassie was on a youth retreat. A friend led her to the front of a worship service as Cassie accepted the Lord into her heart. When she returned home, Cassie's father Brad, stated that it were as though a light had been turned on in Cassie's dark soul. She began to attend Columbine High School. On April 20th, 1999, Cassie entered the school library during lunch to read a few books on Shakespeare. From a distance she heard distant gunshots. 17 year-old Dylan Klebold and 18 year-old Eric Harris burst their way into the library, blowing out the doors and windows. They immediately aimed their guns toward victims, targeting the distinctive ones. Cassie hid under her library table, hands clutched tightly in prayer. Harris approached her. "Do you believe in God?" he asked. Witnesses recall that Cassie did indeed hesitate for a minute, but then took a standing position. Crawling out from under the table, Cassie answered the young man in the simplest of forms. "Yes, I believe in God." He paused for a moment, and looked straight at Cassie, his gun held to the side of her head. "Why?" he continued. Cassie Rene' Bernall had no time to respond before she was shot in the head. Her lifeless body fell to the floor. Her corn-silk colored hair lay lightly spread out amongst the image of a shattered Shakesperian book. On April 26th, 1999, a funeral was held at the head of West Bowles Christian Community Church. Her pastor spoke highly of Cassie while images of her lifehood flashed on a screen. An audience of 2,500 people hung on his every word. "Cassie's death was a victory. It's a celebration in heaven!" the pastor stated. "So, why do we cry? Because it's a celebration we haven't yet been invited to." Cassie lived a short life, dying at the age of 17. Her dreams were to attend college and pursue a career in Physician work. She dreamed of helping others in foreign countries, etc. To this day, a book by Cassie's mother has been written called, "She Said: Yes." A song and book by Michael W. Smith have also been written called, "This is your Time." It encourages us to live our lives as though Christ were returning tomorrow. Also, a video has been made in dedication of Cassie's martyrdom called, "Cassie Bernall: A video tribute from her Friends." Since the events of April 20th, Cassie's family has built an orphanage in Honduras, the second poorest country in the world, called "Cassie Bernall: Home for Children." Cassie Rene' Bernall was just your average girl. She answered, "Yes" when anyone of us may have answered, "No." She's left behind a mantel for all those willing to take up her cross. It's your desision. When the time comes,I pray you will be one who looks to Jesus and answers death with the remark, "I believe!" NOTE: Some of you may know that I live but a few miles from Columbine High School. Yes, I have visited the school, attended the memorial and have known ones who survived in the massacre. The event really hit home. It's a constant reminder to me of how true God's love is; He allowed His children to go home April 20th. They're in a better place, because they're in a place with no pain! Our day is coming, too. I made this section of my Site to share Cassie's testimony with you. She touched my heart, and I know she'll achieve the same for you. Look to Christ, for with Him, even the weak are made strong. {home} All rights reserved. Courtesy of Patrick Levis: Our brother in Christ, 2001-2003. |
| "Now I have given up on everything else. I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought Him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with Him. So, whatever it takes I will be the one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead." ~Cassie Bernall Written on Tuesday, April 20th, 1999 to a friend the morning Cassie passed away. |
 |
| Photo Courtesy of CassieHouse.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |