[Photo provided by Associated Press]

Sunday, November 5th, 2017, we witnessed the reality that pure evil exists in our country with the tragic slaying of at least 26 Christians at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Texas. I can not even begin to fathom the heartbreak and tragedy that the families in that small community are feeling. With a population of 400 citizens, almost 6.5% of them were killed in less than five minutes, with ages ranging from 5 years to 72 years of age. Churches are a sacred, holy place, but we can no longer worship without fear of evil happening. I write this letter not only as the Coroner of Cherokee County, but as an Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church. No matter what size of your church, I urge and encourage your pastor, elders, and members to create proactive plans to help prevent such tragedies from occurring here. While I understand that there is no 100 percent foolproof plan, simple steps can be put into place to help prevent a tragedy.

Perhaps there is a need for your church to develop a church security team, a group of men and or women who have background in law enforcement or first responders. The most important role our church security team has it to actually have a plan in place. This is where you can discuss what the specific needs of your congregation are as well as identify vulnerable areas where someone intending to do harm could enter.. Many citizens in the county have conceal carry permits through the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, find out who they are and do they carry concealed in worship. In our congregation, we have individuals at the four corners of our auditorium where the four exit doors are. While this is one part of many steps of a plan in place, it provides some ground to open a dialogue on how your congregation can be protected and feel safe during times of worship.

I encourage each congregation in our county to open up conversations about how to protect your flock against every pastor’s worst nightmare. We pray that evil in this form never comes to Cherokee County, but let us prepare now and pray to God we never use our plans.