Pastor Michael Rudzena of Good Shepherd New York opened up about Nancy Guthrie’s faith and the power of prayer as the search continues

As prayers continue for the safe return of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother Nancy Guthrie, her family’s pastor is sharing how the congregation is holding onto faith and hope.

During an pre-taped segment that aired on the Today show Tuesday, Feb. 10, Pastor Michael Rudzena of Good Shepherd New York reflected on the woman he has come to know over the years.

“[She’s] a strong woman and she is fiercely loving,” Rudzena told Hoda Kotb of Nancy, during a sit-down in the church. “Over the years, we’ve gotten to know what makes her tick, in some ways from a faith perspective. Songs that meant something to her, scriptures that are meaningful for her.”

Savannah Guthrie Family Pastor Says Nancy Is a 'Strong Woman' and 'Fierce Loving' as Prayers Continue for Her Safe Return
Hoda Kotb and Pastor Michael Rudzena.NBC

Rudzena first met Nancy, 84, through Savannah, a longtime member of Good Shepherd New York.

When services began streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy became a digital parishioner, regularly tuning in virtually from her home in Tucson. She would even gather friends in person to watch and worship online.

It was those fellows who ultimately alerted Savannah’s family to Nancy’s disappearance. On Feb. 1, when Nancy did not arrive to watch the livestream at her friend’s house, the concerned individual contacted Savannah’s sister Annie to report that she could not be reached.

Nancy Guthire Missing Poster
Nancy Guthrie Missing Person notice.Pima County Sheriff’s Department

Since then, authorities have been engaged in a desperate search for Nancy, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI working in tandem on the case. Authorities believe she was taken against her will, citing blood matching her DNA found on her porch and other signs that she didn’t leave on her own.

Investigators have not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest, and are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to her recovery or an arrest. There have also been alleged ransom notes demanding a millions of dollars, but officials have not verified their authenticity or confirmed any communication between the family and possible kidnappers.

Savannah Guthrie and her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the 'Today' set in 2023.

Savannah Guthrie and her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the ‘Today’ set in 2023.

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Savannah has publicly asked for prayers throughout this ordeal.

“We believe that somehow, someway, she is feeling these prayers and that God is lifting her even in this moment,” Savannah said in a video message shared to her Instagram account on Monday, Feb. 9.

Hope and prayer, Rudzena told Today, represents a great deal to Savannah during this moment of fear and uncertainty.

“Prayer opens up possibility in our own hearts,” he said. “Prayer is that dynamic connection with God that introduces new possibilities.”

He continued, “Leaving the door open for hope is a way to fight against that sense of fatality, or fatalism. It’s that sense that we can feel when bad things are happening. A sense of despair and gloom can sort of cloud our minds and hearts. And prayer is a way of channeling that feeling toward God with a hope that God will lead us to it and get us to the other side. And that’s the confidence of faith.”

Rudzena also shared one of Nancy and Savannah’s favorite verses — “May you find the light to guide you home” — which he said has taken on deeper meaning as the search continues.

“I think we’re all putting ourselves in the position of knowing that dark experiences can be overwhelming, and when we think about Nancy, our heart goes out to Nancy,” he said. “We don’t know what we don’t know, and yet, we know that light shines in dark circumstances and it’s light that gets us out of them. I think a guiding light is powerful. And our hope is that God is a guiding light for her.”

Anyone with tips or leads into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI in addition to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.