Pastor Ezekiel Ndikumana was praying with several church members during Sunday worship service until a life-changing moment occurred. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department reported that Dezire Baganda brought out a firearm in his possession while in the first row of the church pews. He then stood up and put the firearm on display in front of the congregation, aiming it at several members as he commanded them to “get up,” according to eyewitnesses.

Nzojibugami Noe, the pianist of the north Nashville church, recalled the frightening events of that morning.

“While I was singing the chorus, I had my eyes closed, and when I had my eyes closed, that’s when I heard the guy standing right there because he got up pretty quickly,” Noe explained. “He was waving the gun, waving the gun to the church and everyone else and telling some people to move or get up. Some of them were already down being ready to be prayed for.”

In a moment of heroic courage, Pastor Ndkiumanan took action. Noe retold the details of the intense next minutes.

“It reminded me of how David defeated Goliath,” Noe declared. “I will say that was strength God put into our Pastor. My Pastor walked, took steps, stood right here for a little bit to see what he was doing, making sure he wasn’t looking at him. He opened the door, pretending like he was going out, and then he kept an eye on him.”

Pastor Ndikumana halted the gunman by tackling him to the ground. With the help of other church members, the Pastor was able to restrain and disarm the armed individual until law enforcement arrived.

“As soon as he saw him, that he was not looking at him, he went quickly, pushed the chair and then he grabbed him, and then they all fell on the ground. That’s when everyone else came to help him to make sure he stayed down and the gun was away from him. It was either die or grab him to where he doesn’t hurt anybody in which God used the grabbing him not to hurt anybody.” the pianist said. “I would say that God gave us, everyone, strength to just be calm and not to worry just like the word of God we heard at the beginning of service.”

The police later identified the gunman as 26-year-old Dezire Baganda.

“I don’t know how I can explain it, but I am very grateful to God how he used us to where no one got hurt,” Pastor Ndikumana expressed as he thanked the Lord.

The courage that God provided Pastor Ndikumana saved countless lives that day. We give God the glory that no one was hurt in this situation. God is our protector and our strength. If we pray that He will deliver His strength and courage, He will do so through our faith in Him.