Columbus pastors reflect on church safety following Michigan attack that left 4 people dead

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — In light of the attack that happened at a church in Michigan that left four people dead and others wounded, WRBL News 3 sat with two local church pastors who discussed the measures they took years ago to protect their congregation.

Both pastors said they were saddened by the church attack in Michigan.

Attacks on churches in the United States began to climb in 2018, according to an evangelical think tank, the Family Research Council.

At Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor J.H. Flakes III notes that in addition to the technology used to secure the church, they have a highly trained safety team.

“And so where the sanctuary should be a safe place, a refuge, for those to come to worship, and to thank and praise God, then you do have elements that want to disrupt that for whatever reason. So it’s a day of trouble, and sadness, hurt and pain,” Flakes said.

Pastor Jimmy Elder of First Baptist Church said they also have extensive safety measures in place, but what his church tries to do is provide a calming peace for worshippers.

“We see it constantly happening. And it’s something that we have to say this should not be happening in our world,” he said.

He added, “As a church, I believe that part of our responsibility is to be a voice for peace and reason and quieting the climate so that we have a way of relating to one another without the anger, the hatred, and the option of violence.”

Both pastors said churches must not make a practice of increasing the rhetoric that has led to so much anger and hatred.

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