Pastor Looks to God and Armed Guards to Keep Congregation Safe

MIAMI BEACH — In addition to the large wooden cross that’s always been at the front of the church, an armed guard now stands watch over the faithful at Miami Beach Community Church after a series of incidents involving a 34-year-old parishioner, who posted chilling messages on social media in which he vowed: “Orlando will look small to what is coming."

The parishioner, identified as 34-year-old Joseph Jorczak, was taken into custody without incident following a two-hour standoff with police on Wednesday at his apartment in the 1600 block of Meridian Avenue. In addition to criminal charges, Jorczak was also taken for a psychiatric evaluation.

“I pray that nothing happens here. We’ve done everything we can do to create a safe community,” explained Rev. Harold Thompson, senior pastor at the church in an interview with Patch on Friday.

“I want people to be assured that we are a safe church. People can come worship here. We’ve taken all prudent precautions to make sure that if anything happens, it will be taken care of very quickly.”

The online threats that culminated with the police showdown were the latest in a series of incidents involving Jorczak, who had been part of the United Church of Christ congregation for more than three years.

“He had an incident in January where he became very hostile, agitated, aggressive. He broke into the middle of our 10:30 worship service — shouting at the top of his lungs, screaming profanities, shaking a cane,” recalled Thompson, who said that congregants tried to calm the man down and find out what was bothering him as he circled the sanctuary brandishing a cane.

“Several people were fearful that they were going to get struck with his cane so we called the police,” the minister said. “As a consequence of that action — and some verbal altercations out in front of the church subsequently after that — we had to get a restraining order against him.”

Prior to that, Jorczak was considered part of the “fabric of the church,” according to Thompson, who noted that the man even attended a Gay Pride celebration with other church members though he would later direct many of his social media posts against the gay community.

Police said that Jorczak posted multiple comments on social media on Nov. 17 and Nov. 29. where he "maliciously harasses, cyberstalks and threatens the Miami Beach Community Church” that is a landmark along the tourist favorite Lincoln Road pedestrian walkway.

"Orlando will look small to what is coming to Miami Beach, specifically the Miami Beach Community Church," Jorczak posted. "The homosexuals at the Miami Beach Community Church taught me you cannot trust the LGBY (SIC) community. They are nasty people."

He was referencing the June attack by Omar Mateen, who walked into Orlando's Pulse nightclub and opened fire, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others before he was shot and killed.

“That’s more than just hostile aggressive brutal act of violence. That’s specifically focused to an oppressed group of people,” the minister explained. “That threat resonates far beyond our church, and it resonated all throughout the community."

Built in 1921, the church is a South Beach landmark with its whitewashed exterior and ornate facade. It is also the oldest church in Miami Beach.

Thompson said that his 20-year-old daughter was also targeted by Jorczak in some sexually-explicit posts. She feared for her safety at college.

“This is not something that a child should experience,” he explained. “She asked a simple question: ‘Am I safe at school?”

Jorczak, who indicated that he may be suffering from a life-threatening illness, was charged with stalking and violating an injunction against stalking.

Thompson hopes that people will not be deterred from coming to a the church's first-ever live nativity scene on Dec. 17.

"I’m very hopeful that people will come by and sing a song, or enjoy the scripture," he said.

Despite the fear that Jorczak has wrought, Thompson said that he and other members of his church recognize the man also needs help.

“Our hearts break for him,” the minister acknowledged. “There’s a part of all of us that cares for him.”

Photo courtesy Miami Beach Community Church.