BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - For most of Sunday, people were in and out of Cedar Grove Baptist Church to look for sources of comfort, and to pray for the victims.

Dozens of church members, friends and family also stopped by hospitals throughout the day to visit the victims and their loved ones.

That includes the church's pastor, Bob Lynch, who's been at UT Medical Center most of the night.

Many in other church families talked to Local 8 News, and told us that what happened and the way it all happened has left everyone devastated and in prayer.

Those who knew the two who died, 16 year-old Courtney Kaliszewski and Jeff Trussell, turned to their churches tonight for comfort.

Providence Missionary Church was one of them.

"One came in very broken, just crying and weeping and we all gathered around her. She apparently was really good friends with the girl who passed away. She didn't say much but we didn't say much to her. We cried with her and hugged her," said Jonathan Mitchell, a youth pastor.
"A dad and son, they work for volunteer. One for Knoxville Fire Dept got the call around 9:30, left Sunday School and then we get texts and calls after the service. Albert got to the scene but this happened to be one of his friends. So it was very difficult," said David Burnett, the Providence Missionary Church Pastor.

There were prayers and the youth group at this church made sure to show support to the others involved in the tragedy.

"We made poster for them and let the kids show prayers to give that to them," said Mitchell.

Seymour Church of God is just a few miles down the road from Cedar Grove Baptist.

Just like that church, Seymour Church of God has an active youth group. On Sunday, several kids attended dance practice, one of many activities they do together to connect more spiritually.

They say their church youth group has a deeper bond, one just like Cedar Grove Baptist. That's what makes hearing about the youth group van wreck that much more heart-breaking.

"Almost a sense more of a bond, because you have a faith that you believe in that not everybody shares. A lot of families share the love, but not everybody shares the same faith as you. So it adds that extra bond to it," said Caleb Ogle, a church youth leader.

"It was devastating. One of my brother's friends knows one of the girls that that happened to, and it's just really hard," said 13 year-old Sydney Chipley.

Members of Cedar Grove Baptist declined interviews today, saying it was too difficult to talk about. But they said they do appreciate all the prayers and support from other churches.