Mishawaka church prays for Texas, reflects on own security plan

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- It's been two days since Devin Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texa.

26 people were killed, and 20 injured. 

All were praying during a Sunday service.

The First Baptist Church in Mishawaka had just concluded their own Sunday service, when they heard the news. 

"As a pastor, it just breaks your heart. You start thinking about your own people and what we would do if that happened here," says Pastor Peter Jones. "Church is a family."

A family that Pastor Jones is determined to protect.

The church revamped their security plan about a year ago.

"You want to think that you're safe, especially in a place of worship. But that's not always the case," he explains. "We have to plan like something is going to happen, but you have to live as if something's not."

They, unfortunately, had the opportunity to test out their security plan a few months ago.

"We had a man visit, a number of months ago. He was not a threat, but you could tell he needed some help. He started making a commotion and our team handled it the way they should, and escorted him out," describes Pastor Jones. 

It was at that moment, that he reassured his congregation, that they were ready for whatever may happen.

"I told our congregation that we do have a security plan in place and they'll take care of it," he recalls. "A lot of people told me that was comforting for them."

Pastor Jones didn't want to go into specific details about the security plan, but he did tell ABC57 that the church doors are locked when services begin.

They also have volunteers from the church to stand guard.

Come Sunday, on the week anniversary of the tragic decimation of the Texas church, Pastor Jones will have a message for his own church.

"We don't need to live in fear. When this stuff happens, that's the immediate thought: fear," he says. "I'm sure there will be churches this Sunday, and people will be afraid to go to church because of what happened. And we can't live that way."