(Tennessee)—[CBN News] A Tennessee church is counting its blessings after a gunman walked into its sanctuary with several guns on Easter morning. (Screengrab via CBN News)
Police say, Marcus Donald, 31, arrived at
Bellevue Baptist Church around the time of the 11 a.m. service with an
estimated 4,500 people inside the church.
A church usher saw the man who was carrying
several guns and alerted the church's security team. Security then
contacted the Memphis Police Department.
In 2014, CBN News highlighted Bellevue Baptist, one of the largest churches in Memphis, for a story about church security.
Andy Willis, who heads up security at the church, has the monumental job of keeping this large congregation safe. (Screengrab via CBN News)
"Today, churches that speak the truth, that
teach and preach true Biblical principles, they draw a lot of attention
because there are a lot of components of society today that don't want
to hear that," Willis told CBN News.
Willis said the church relies on state-of-the-art cameras.
"A camera system that constantly monitors
and records activities on campus is extremely important," he explained.
"They are not very expensive, and the thing
that you get is the protection in a liability situation that you won't
have if you don't have it."
Police said Donald told them "people in society are a threat to him and that he must be vigilant."
He was arrested without incident and police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
In
a statement, the church said, "A heavily armed man entered our building
today about 11 a.m. He was stopped by our security people before he
could enter the sanctuary, and was subsequently arrested by Memphis
Police. We are thankful for the diligence of our security people and the
Memphis Police Department." (Screengrab via CBN News)
On Twitter church leaders said, "Today an
armed man came to Bellevue's property. Memphis Police arrested the
suspect. Nobody was injured. Praise the Lord for His protection!"

Willis said Christians need to trust God, but be prepared.
"The biggest thing that makes me cringe when
I talk to other churches about security is they will say, 'We don't
have security; we're just praying that nothing happens," Willis told CBN News.
He went on to say that trusting God must be
paired with understanding we have a part to play in our safety as well.
Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com/