JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a gunman shot and killed 26 people in a Sutherland Springs, Texas, church earlier this month, Jacksonville churches have increased security measures.
The Bethel Church in downtown Jacksonville is one of several churches hiring more security guards.
"We'll have JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) officers now in our sanctuary," Bethel Church administrator April Green told News4Jax on Wednesday. "They will be in uniform and armed."
The Bethel Church is one of several in town adding to its security team in the wake of the mass shooting at a small Texas church.
"One of the things we kind of always tried to stay away from is bringing worldly security into the sanctuary, trying to keep the reverence of the sanctuary," Green said. "But, unfortunately, we're here."
Bethel is one of the first churches in Jacksonville to upgrade its security following the Sutherland Springs Massacre.
Several other churches also plan to retrain their security teams and more members to keep their congregations safe.
"One of the things we're doing right now is we're sitting down with our leadership and discussing what we've been doing in the way of making sure security is a priority," said Rev. Dr. Ronald Walters, the senior pastor at King Solomon United Baptist Church in the Riverside area.
King Solomon has its own security team. Like so many of the churches that News4Jax contacted, King Solomon is planning to review church entryways and retrain security.
Although Walters is relying on faith to cover his congregation, he said being practical is important.
News4Jax asked if him any members of King Solomon carry weapons inside the church.
"I would love to know that, if that was the case," Walters said. "Right now, I have heard that members talk about whether churches can do that, and will/should churches do that? Our security director is looking at what prohibitions there might be against that. Whether or not I'm for it or against it, I've got to get more information about it."
Southside Baptist Church sent News4Jax a statement, saying its leadership team is reviewing safety and emergency response procedures.
"The church already employs an off-duty JSO officer each Sunday. We also have a volunteer safety and security team who help us monitor the building and ensure the well-being of all worshippers. I have also instructed the staff to redouble our efforts to secure the areas of our building that house our children," the statement reads in part.
Starting next Sunday at Bethel, backpacks will not be allowed inside the sanctuary and people won't be allowed to walk near the pulpit during the sermon -- just a couple of ways the staff plans to keep order.