Community continues to care for Remington

COEUR d'ALENE — About $170,000 was raised during the "Community Coming Together for Pastor Tim Remington" fundraiser Sunday, and donations continue to flood in.

"That’s from the beautiful hearts and the generosity of the community," Nancy Cafferty said Wednesday.

According to Cafferty, who runs the Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Thrift Shop and whose son married Remington's daughter, more than 800 people attended the dinner, which included an auction and was held at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Eventually, the event was so full organizers had to stop letting people into the venue.

"There were people who wanted to come but we sadly couldn't get tickets for them because we were at our max," she said.

Sen. Ted Cruz's father, Pastor Rafael Cruz, preached during services at The Altar Church that day and gave the invocation for the event that evening. Ron Nilson, a longtime friend of Remington's, read a proclamation signed by Gov. Butch Otter in honor of Remington. Nilson said the document proclaimed May 1 as "Pastor Tim Remington Day," but it will also be known as the proclamation of "The Miracle at The Altar."

"It was a miracle" that he survived, Nilson said.

"Doctors couldn't explain how a bullet turned around inside the body without coming apart."

At one point during the evening, Remington stood up from his wheelchair to address the crowd. Both Cafferty and Nilson said it was a powerful moment.

"He said, 'I've stood, but I stand in honor of my Heavenly Father who saved me,'" Nilson said. "It was just incredible."

"It was beautiful," Cafferty said. "God gave him a lot of strength that night."

Cafferty reported Remington is improving every day, but "it's going to be a long road. It's not like he's going to be preaching tomorrow, but every day" he's getting better, she said.

"His faith has remained as strong as ever," she said, adding his wife, Cindy, has been by his side the entire time. "It's just amazing to see.

"We just ask that our friends and family in the community continue to pray for his healing. That's what we want. That's what it's all about: lives being changed."

Remington was shot multiple times March 6 in the parking lot of The Altar Church. Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh could not disclose when the alleged shooter, Kyle Odom, will arrive in Kootenai County because of security purposes, but he did confirm Odom will be processed in North Idaho.

"He is in the extradition transportation process," McHugh said.