http://www.startribune.com/stories/614/5773660.html

----------------------- Excerpt: Tragedy follows invitation to prayer

It was an epiphany, said Terry Esau: ask God for a daily surprise for one month and write down what happens. The result, he thought, would make people aware of the sacred things present in even the small maneuvers of each day. Then Esau went to Waco, Texas, and everything changed.

A pastor there had heard about the book Esau wrote about his epiphany and wanted his congregation to partake in the 30-day faith experiment. Esau, in the Texas town to visit a daughter at college, attended the service on the Sunday when the pastor was talking about the book. "He was so excited," said Esau, recalling how he met the Rev. Kyle Lake, 33. Lake was the pastor at University Baptist Church and embraced a brand of theology that asked churchgoers to focus inward on their personal feelings about faith. Esau's book was tailor-made for the congregation.

That Sunday morning, Oct. 30, Lake laid out the plan for the 800 people who had come for service, saying they should all take part in the monthlong experiment. Esau, sitting in the pews, looked on as a picture of his book's cover was beamed onto a large screen while the pastor talked about the experiment. Lake then prepared for a baptism. The baptismal font required him to step into waist-deep water.

He waded in, then reached for a microphone, and was electrocuted.

Doctors in the congregation ran forward to administer CPR, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, Lake left behind his wife and three children. The title of Esau's book? "Surprise Me."

Submitted on 12/14/2005

Submitted by: Ron Talmage
Reference: Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec.

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
We had a million submissions on this story when it came out, and we rejected it as not amusing. And while I still consider this a tragic accident, I have to admit I never quite read it from THIS point of view! The biblical irony made me chuckle. I'll hate myself in the morning, but I'd very much like Darwin to see this one before we consign the whole tale to oblivion!

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I too still believe that it was simply a tragic accident, but yes, the additional information warrents keeping this for Darwin to look at.

Greg said:
Maybe Toss: For Darwin's Eyes
Nice piece of irony, but I still don't see it can ever qualify ... ?

Tracy said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Ditto - it's a funnier story with this writeup

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I'll agree that it should be passed on to Darwin... but microphones, if connected properly, are grounded, and will not electrocute anyone. Someone was stupid here, and I'm afraid it wasn't our victim.

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