The hand of God was surely upon the church members and security team as they stopped what could have been a deadly mass shooting at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan.
When we walk into church on a Sunday morning, we come to be in God’s presence. We gather with our families and friends to worship and pray in His house.
We don’t usually think about danger showing up in a place like that. But God sees what we cannot. He watches over His people and goes before us.
That’s exactly what happened at CrossPointe Community Church when evil tried to attack God’s people.
When Danger Arrived at Church
The attack happened around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, while over 100 people were inside the church. Children from vacation Bible school were leading worship and finishing their songs when 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning arrived outside.
He drove up acting strange and got out of his car wearing a tactical vest. He carried rifles and handguns with plenty of ammunition.
A Late Church Member Becomes a Hero
A church member running late for service saw what was happening. This person watched Browning get out of his car with weapons and start shooting at the building.
The church member made a split-second decision and hit Browning with his pickup truck. Pastor Kelly called this person a hero and said God led him to act.
“He hit this individual with his car, drove right on the grass because he was shooting at the building at the time,” Kelly explained.
The Security Team Springs Into Action
The church had a security team ready for exactly this kind of situation. They had been in place for more than 10 years, put there by previous church leadership after other church shootings happened elsewhere.
Most people visiting the church would never know the security team was there. Some team members carry weapons and others do not, but all receive training.
Jay Trombley was one of the security team members who responded. He heard noise and thought it was mechanical at first. When he saw people running and a young woman told him “AR-15,” he headed toward the danger.
“We found out that evil came to our door, but God’s hand of protection was right over us,” Trombley said.
At least two staff members shot Browning during the fight. One security team member was shot in the leg but survived without life-threatening injuries. Browning died from his wounds.
Pastor Bobby Kelly knew Browning from previous visits to the church. Browning’s mother sometimes attended services there.
“This young man was definitely struggling mentally. He thought he was hearing from God. We had some conversations about that,” Kelly said.
The pastor had met with Browning three times before but said Browning never threatened him.
Chaos and God’s Protection Inside
The livestream video shows the chaos inside the church. People grabbed children and told them to get down and move away from the sanctuary.
Pastor Kelly was about to start his sermon when he heard the gunfire. He first thought it was construction noise from outside.
Trombley talked about how God protected everyone that day. “So many things happened that can only be God driven: that the parishioner shows up late to engage him with this pick-up truck to slow him down; that double pane window stopped five rounds that I fairly certain where I was standing to look at the wall behind me to see the impact to see that where rounds from his rifle traveled and impacted, I’m, I’m…God’s hand was protecting me,” he said.
The security team members are regular people without police or military backgrounds. They trained for active shooter situations because they knew they might face this someday.
Trombley reminded everyone that “You are your own first responder. You are the first person on scene.”
Hand of God
Pastor Kelly had planned to preach about God’s protection that Sunday. He originally wanted to hold two outdoor services in June but changed his mind months earlier.
“We weren’t outside yesterday when we would have been. We were definitely protected by the hand of God, there is no question about it,” Kelly said.
WATCH: Church Members and Security Team Stop Gunman
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Video not working?
Police found more weapons and ammunition when they searched Browning’s house in nearby Romulus. Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong praised the church’s response.
“We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting. Their actions prevented dozens of people from being murdered,” Strong said.
After the shooting, Pastor Kelly reached out to Browning’s mother to comfort her. He wanted her to know she should not feel guilty about her son’s actions and that the church was still there for her during this difficult time.
Trombley struggled with what he had to do that day. “I realize what happened yesterday, what my actions did, you know? I will reconcile with the Lord on the time for that. I was protecting his people,” he said.
He does not think of himself as a hero but as someone protecting his church family.
Pray
Attacks against churches, missionaries, and ministries are increasing every day. We need God’s protection over our pastors, church leaders, and all who serve Him.
Let us keep praying for God’s covering over every church and ministry around the world.
WATCH: Heroic Security Guard speaks out After Terrifying Incident
