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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A man carried a gun into a North Carolina church, but was calmly disarmed and prayed with the pastor, according to a report.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that it happened as an unidentified man walked into Heal the Land Outreach Ministries in Fayetteville at about 11:40 p.m. during a New Year’s Eve service.

Fayetteville City Councilman Larry Wright was delivering a sermon to about 60 people, according to the paper.

The man was holding the rifle pointed up in one hand and an ammunition clip in the other, according to Wright.

Wright said he asked the man if he could help him. The unidentified stranger was reportedly calm as Wright took the weapon from him and had four deacons disarm him.

The man started crying as Wright began praying for him. Wright said the stranger asked for salvation and “gave his life to Christ.”

Police arrived and were planning on taking the man to a mental health facility.

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