An innocent group of Christians gathered for Sunday morning worship at a North Carolina church never knew how close they may have come to danger.
Instead, they experienced something else: God’s protection working through alert citizens, prepared security and law enforcement officers who responded within minutes.
William S. Milliken III, 44, of Thomasville, was arrested Sunday morning outside Wesley Memorial Church in High Point after police received a 911 call at about 10:15 a.m. reporting an armed man sitting in a truck in the church parking lot during worship services.
According to the High Point Police Department, an off-duty officer working at the church immediately responded, while additional officers arrived within minutes.
“The officers disarmed the man and took him into custody without incident,” police said.
No one inside the church was injured.
Police said Milliken was wearing a plate carrier, a type of body armor, when he was arrested.
After searching his truck, officers recovered what authorities described as a significant cache of weapons and equipment, including a CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, two flamethrowers, two crossbows, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, rolls of black duct tape, three knives and oxycodone pills.
Milliken was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. He is being held in the Guilford County Jail.
High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III praised the officers who responded before the situation could escalate.
“Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt,” Cheeks said. “The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.”
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Cheeks also commended the person who made the initial emergency call.
“We also want to thank the community members who recognized a potential danger and had the courage to speak up,” he said. “As we work to keep High Point safe, it is crucial that we continue to look out for each other.”
Wesley Memorial Church likewise expressed gratitude to those who helped protect the congregation.
“We are grateful for the quick response of the High Point Police Department and our security team,” the church said in a statement. “We remain committed to providing a safe environment for worship and ministry.”
According to The Christian Post, court documents also indicate investigators found a notebook containing addresses of other churches and schools.
Stories like this remind us that faith and wisdom have always gone hand in hand.
When rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls amid constant threats, Nehemiah did not tell God’s people to ignore danger. Scripture says they prayed for God’s protection while also posting guards: “Nevertheless, we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night” (Neh. 4:9, MEV).
Jesus taught the same balance when He instructed His followers, “Listen, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16).
Likewise, Proverbs reminds us, “A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prov. 27:12).
Churches should never live in fear, but neither should they ignore wisdom.
On Sunday morning in High Point, an observant citizen made a phone call; an off-duty officer responded immediately; law enforcement acted quickly; and worshippers returned home safely.
That outcome is worth celebrating.
As we continue gathering to worship despite the enemy’s best efforts, let us pray for our pastors, church security teams, law enforcement officers and congregations across the nation. May God continue to grant His people discernment, courage and peace as we faithfully proclaim the Gospel in every generation.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
