SULLIVAN CITY, TX (KRGV/CNN) – A church in south Texas is taking action to prevent an attack like the one in Sutherland Springs through concealed weapons carried by the pastor and some parishioners.
Pastor Jamie Chapa at El Faro Bible Church in Sullivan City, TX, says when he saw the news about the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, the situation hit too close to home.
"When they said 'a congregation of 50,' I said, 'That's our congregation,’” Chapa said.
In addition, like the Sutherland Springs church, El Faro is in a rural area.
Chapa has led the congregation at El Faro for 30 years, and he says it’s his responsibility to protect the church.
"This will never happen at El Faro. It will never happen. What happened in Sutherland will not ever happen in our church,” Chapa said.
From now on, Chapa, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun, plans to be armed when he preaches.
Other licensed parishioners will carry guns as well.
"There will be three armed persons at all times at every service. Nobody needs to know who they are. But our church will be protected,” Chapa said.
The pastor says the plan will keep his congregation from being vulnerable to attack. Paid security guards are out of the question financially for the small church.
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