HOUSTON -- After news of the tragedy in Fort Hood spread through the community, a steady stream of people went to one church to send up prayers, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

Meagan Tiller joined a small group at the First Baptist Church of Katy and said a few words of her own.

"I feel like it's my duty to come out here and pray," she said.

Tiller said she was in pain because her cousin is stationed at Fort Hood. She said no one in her family had been able to contact him in the aftermath of the shooting.

"It's really hard because you care about them so much and just want to know that they're OK," Tiller said.

With so much pain and distress, the Rev. Randy White decided to keep the doors of Bolin Chapel open for 24 hours.

"What a great time of need that we have, as we've had this tragedy so near to our community members who have sons and grandsons and cousins and brothers who are at Fort Hood," White said. "(It's) just a tremendous time of heart wrenching need."

Domenic Gotti said the shooting on base touched him deeply because in January he will train to become a military chaplain. He said it is a shame that our country's heroes were attacked as they were attempting to serve.

"There are so many here that are looking to help and looking to serve and they aren't even given a chance to do that," Gotti said.

Tiller said this vigil helped, but said her heart and mind were still in Fort Hood with her cousin.

"It somewhat comforts me, but the only thing that will make me completely better is talking to him," she said.