When a regular Sunday morning service at Nashville Light Mission Pentecostal Church took an almost deadly turn, Pastor Ezekiel Ndikumana showed what it means to be a true leader.
At some point during the service, Ezekiel was praying with several church members when 26-year-old Dezire Baganda walked up to the alter, gun in hand. As the dangerous man began waving the weapon around in the air, several people in the congregation began to duck behind the pews for safety. With little time to spare, someone needed to think and act quickly.
“He wanted to kill,” Ezekiel said. “That’s what first came to my mind. … He was standing in front of almost everybody. No one was behind him yet, so he could have done anything.”
Thankfully, Ezekiel was able to pretend to exit the church hall through a back door located behind Dezire. But instead of actually leaving, he lunged at the threat from behind.
Once Dezire had been tackled, other members of the church helped keep him pinned down on the ground until the police arrived.
Although Dezire wasn’t a member of the church, he had visited several times months prior. During the times he’d attended services, he would frequently interrupt the pastors while they were speaking. Because of this, they eventually asked Dezire to stop attending.
According to the police, Dezire is being charged with 15 counts of aggravated assault and more cases are likely to be added.
Meanwhile, the congregation couldn’t be more grateful and proud of their pastor for his act of love and bravery. Ezekiel is being praised as a hero, but he insists that all of the credit should go to God.
“God wanted to show that He is a powerful God,” the pastor said.
Watch Ezekiel’s incredible bravery play out in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story with a friend.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.