The investigation into the disappearance of Father Rene Robert has raised an issue for local churches: Security of the clergy who often help people with criminal, and sometimes violent, pasts.
The 71-year-old Catholic priest has been missing since Sunday.
On Thursday morning, police in Aiken, South Carolina, arrested Steven Murray, the man investigators in St. Johns County have identified as a suspect in Robert's disappearance. Robert was said to have been helping Murray in the days after he got out of jail.
News4Jax spoke to ministers and a crime analyst about the fine line between ministering and safety.
A similar case happened three years ago in Jacksonville's Springfield neighborhood.
Pastor John Bowser, the founder of the Glorious Church of the Lord on Sixth Street, ended up being a murder victim for his good heart.
Bowser was beaten to death by a man he was helping. Terrance Wright pleaded guilty to the murder and was recently released from prison.
"They don’t teach this stuff in seminary. How would you know?" said Pastor Burnsed of Corral Ridge Ministries on Jacksonville's Southside.
Burnsed said the issue occurs in many churches, ministers want to spread the gospel to everyone, including people with troubled pasts.
"It is dangerous. One time I had a lady who pulled a butcher knife. And she said, 'I will kill you. I will cut you up,'" Burnsed said. "I said, 'Go ahead.' Some of these people have bad days. But I said, 'In Jesus' name, we love you.'"
Burnsed said he’s been threatened numerous times before by people he’s tried to help, yet he continues to help. He even calls many of them friends now.
But he said that doesn’t mean the cases of Robert and Bowser aren't chilling.
"You don’t just want to step into a situation where you’re going to get beaten up either. So, we are cautious. We have people around. We look out for each other," Burnsed said.
At a candlelight vigil for Robert Thursday night at Sacred Heart Church in Fleming Island for Robert, Father Michael Pendergraft of Sacred Heart Catholic Church told News4Jax how the disappearance has affected parishioners and changed security protocols at his church.
"It's a night to be together, to realize that people are not going through this on their own. There's a community of faith. There is a community of people who like Father Rene and people who have hope that he's going to be found safe," Pendergraft said.
Robert's disappearance has also sparked safety concerns among parishoners, which is why Pendergraft recommends using the buddy system at all times.
"We always talk about people in the parking lot not being on their own. When people leave the parking lot, that people leave together," Pendergraft said.
Gil Smith, News4Jax crime analyst, said there’s a lesson that churches can learn from these tragic cases.
Smith recommended looking for current or ex-law enforcement in the congregation to help with security.
Burnsed offered similar tips.
"We have a lot of police officers involved in church, a lot of military," Burnsed said.
And while people can help find someone a place to live, Smith said, they should not offer their homes.
"I don’t think they should ever allow them into their home because you don’t know what can happen, just as a safety precaution. Still do good works, help them out. Maybe pay for their residency and give them work," said Smith.
Smith also said never hesitate to do background checks on people wanting to be involved in church activities.