TAYLORS, S.C. (ABP) -- An active member and former deacon at one of South Carolina's most historic Baptist churches faces charges of kidnapping and attempted robbery of a bank Feb. 26.

Bruce Lee Windsor, 43, was held on bond totaling $1.5 million on state charges of bank robbery, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of possessing a weapon during a violent offense. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison for both the robbery and kidnapping charges and an additional five years on the weapons charge. He also could face federal charges.

Police say Windsor entered Greenville (S.C.) First Bank armed with a handgun, pointed it at employees and forced them into an office. There he handed them a note demanding money. He allegedly held two female employees at gunpoint for more than an hour before releasing them and surrendering to SWAT team members who met him at gunpoint inside the bank and ordered him to lie on the ground.

At his arraignment Feb. 27, Windsor's attorney reportedly said his client "has really been a model citizen, up until yesterday."

A woman identified in court only as Windsor's sister fought through sobs and tears to defend Windsor.

"He's a deacon of the church," she said. "He adores his kids."

"The only thing I can think is he must have just snapped under pressure," the woman said. "He is a person who doesn't even say cuss words."

Windsor works in mortgage real estate and owns a company called Lease to Home in nearby Greer, S.C. He reportedly told police in a statement that he was having financial problems and has an account at Greenville First Bank. 

Ralph Carter, pastor of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., said Windsor had been an active member of the congregation for at least a decade and had visited shut-ins on behalf of the church while serving as a deacon.

Carter reportedly told the judge Windsor's alleged behavior was "completely out of character." After the hearing he told the Greenville News that Windsor is "one of the best fathers I know anywhere."

The bank's chief executive, Art Seaver, told television station WYFF News 4 that he and a crowd of bank employees -- hunkered down on the second floor of the bank while the two hostages were being held downstairs -- could do nothing but pray.

Founded in 1794, Brushy Creek Baptist Church is called the "mother church" of Greenville-area Baptists. Though not the oldest church on record, Brushy Creek sponsored and supported many of the churches now comprising membership of Greenville Baptist Association. It is also the only Baptist church in the Greenville area to be known by the same name for more than 200 years.

The church is affiliated with both the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. It was host church to the state convention's annual pastors' conference in 2006.

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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press. 

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