Area church reacts to Texas shooting

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Southside Baptist Church was full of members for its Sunday night service.  Singing, worshiping and sharing their faith, just like the congregation in Texas.  Thoughts that definitely went through Pastor Kerry Nance's mind.

"It kinda makes it surreal when you think what would happen if in the middle of our song service, or you know, just a guy came in with a crazy notion to bring harm or danger to our congregation," he said.

Nance says no one should be afraid to come to church, it's a place of welcoming and fellowship.

This entire congregation is grieving with the innocent lives taken in this senseless act of horror.

"To me, the church is a sacred place, and this guy really just violated these people, and their beliefs, and their actions, and what they're trying to do, by coming in and to bring harm," said Nance.

The victims in Texas range in age from 5 to 72-years-old.

It’s a tragedy that’s hard for many people to wrap their heads around.

"It's just crazy that people would have this type of evil mentality, and I don't know a better word to describe it, it's evil to just take innocent lives for no rhyme or reason," Nance said.    

This is the deadliest mass shooting in a house of worship in modern U.S. history.  Many people will be praying for everyone feeling the ripple of pain and devastation.