Colorado Megachurch Using Armed Guards

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jul 24, 2015

Colorado Megachurch Using Armed Guards

A Colorado megachurch pastor says his church has an elaborate system of surveillance cameras, patrols and even armed guards. Rev. E. Christopher Hill, pastor of The Potter’s House in Denver, said the security measures are in place to protect the church’s 7,000 parishioners. 

“There’s no way to look beyond the fact that Colorado has been specifically visited with great tragedy,” Hill said, making reference to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, the Youth With A Mission and New Life Church shootings in 2007 and the Aurora theater shooting in 2012. The New York Times reports the Aurora theater shooting occurred less than five miles from The Potter’s House. 

”We now live in an America where you must be vigilant,” Hill continued. 

The megapastor said that security personnel do their best to avoid interfering with the worship experience. Each Sunday, 25 volunteer security members with military or law enforcement backgrounds meet for prayer, then patrol the church. About 15 percent of the team carry guns. 

Hill said, “You are not safe on a plane. You are not safe in an elementary school. You are not safe in a high school. You are not safe in a movie theater. Guess what? You are not safe in a church.”

Publication date: July 24, 2015



Colorado Megachurch Using Armed Guards