Churchgoers wrapped each other in hugs and wiped tears from eyes Tuesday evening inside Altoona’s Calvary Baptist Church, where they mourned the death of a congregation member who died kayaking on Lake Ontario.

Jacob McCormick, 21, a Blair County resident, was found dead Tuesday morning along the Orleans County shoreline by members of the U.S. Coast Guard, according to The Associated Press.

McCormick was one of three men who went missing after they launched Monday from a state park boat launch in Somerset, N.Y., for a kayaking trip.

Police did not reveal the identities of the kayakers, but Calvary Baptist Church Senior Pastor Ronald Anderson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the three men were members of his church.

McCormick was on the water with his twin brother, Nathaniel, and a friend, Joseph Williams.

Nathaniel McCormick and Joseph Williams made it to shore and went to a lakeside home to seek help, the AP reported, citing police.

Anderson said he has been in contact with the twins’ parents — Tim and Stacie McCormick — who are mourning the loss of their son.

“It’s very devastating,” Anderson said. “They are a very close-knit family.”

Anderson said he could not comment on the details of what led to Jacob McCormick’s death, but he was told the three men went out onto the water for a long kayaking trip and got caught in a storm.

The Buffalo News reported the same, saying inclement weather prohibited emergency crews from searching for the men with a helicopter.

Nathaniel McCormick was not harmed, Anderson said, noting the twins were also close friends.

“Physically, he is OK,” Anderson said. “Emotionally, it’s going to be very difficult for him.”

Jacob McCormick, a Blair County Christian School graduate, also left behind a wife, Johanna, who he was married to for little more than year, Anderson said.

Anderson remembered Jacob McCormick for his dedication to his religion and his ability to connect with congregation members both young and old.

“This was a young man that anyone would be proud to call a son, a friend, a brother,” Anderson said.

The three men were in New York visiting McCormick family members at the time of the accident, Anderson said.

Anderson said the family’s trips were common, and The Buffalo News reported the McCormicks had worked in New York for the past three summers doing maintenance at the Circle C Ranch, a Christian campground about 46 miles southeast of Buffalo.

Anderson opened his church for a prayer vigil Tuesday evening, where dozens of congregants prayed for and remembered their friend. Even before the event’s 6 p.m. start, church members stood in the entryway to weep and embrace one another.

Anderson said the McCormicks are longtime, active members of the church.

There was hardly a time the door was opened that they weren’t here,” Anderson said. “We are a very close church. Everybody is just off the rails right now.”

At the vigil, church members were able to stand and share aloud prayers and memories with those in attendance.

Anderson also spoke at the vigil, again referencing Jacob McCormick’s Christian faith.

“Woke up this morning to news of death. Jacob woke up to eternal life,” he said, also offering prayers for Joseph Williams and Nathaniel McCormick, who have been subjected to “such an event to experience in a young life.”

Others took to social media to offer condolences, including Sarah Barclay, Jacob McCormick’s former teacher, who addressed the McCormick family on Facebook.

“My heart goes out to their family,” she said. “So sad.”

Anderson encouraged those in attendance at that vigil to keep Jacob McCormick in their thoughts and to try to emulate his kindness in their own lives.

“Nobody has tomorrow in their hand,” he said. “Nobody.”

Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.