Church Security Institute Network

recent posts

about

We’re here to serve Him and His, and help ministries, churches, synagogues, private schools or businesses, with their safety, security, risk management, training, supervision and equipment needs. We are here to help, please let us know how we can assist you. Email: for more info, news, questions and events. Our Ministry Discount Code Can Save You Money On Training, Planning & Equipment Costs! Email Us For More Info: ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com

  • CURRENT VIOLENCE AGAINST CHURCHES

    The following info is provided by our friend Keith Graves, founder of a safety academy, ChristianWarriorTraining.com and shared with you to help you Be Prepared, Ready To Act, React, To Deter, Detect, Delay, Defend.

    While Keith offers Free Church Safety Security Training info, there is some info only for his optional paid Subscribers, who help to sustain the ministry. Due to the unusual threat situations now, Keith has lifted the paywall to share following info below to help you serve.

    Armed Subject Stopped Inside Washington Church: Churchgoers stopped a man who entered a church service with a handgun before he could open fire. Police later located a rifle and ammunition in his vehicle. Early recognition and intervention prevented a potential mass casualty attack.

    Funeral Service Shooting – Kansas City:
    Gunfire erupted outside a church during a funeral service, injuring multiple people and striking the building. Funerals connected to criminal activity often carry retaliation risks and should include security planning.

    Stabbing During Funeral – San Diego:
    A stabbing occurred during a funeral service inside a church. The suspect was detained at the scene. Funeral services should include conflict monitoring and quick separation capability.

    Stabbing Near Cincinnati Church:
    A stabbing occurred during a fight near church property. Incidents near church grounds can escalate quickly and should be observed and reported rather than pursued.

    Gun Assault Near St. Louis Church:
    A man allegedly threatened and assaulted another individual with a firearm outside a church. Parking lot confrontations should be monitored closely.

    Internal Church Conflict – California:
    An alleged assault involving a pastor and church elder escalated into protests and division within the congregation. Internal conflict can create crowd control and safety concerns

    While no specific church threats have been identified, escalation historically increases cyber activity, extremist messaging, and the most important one is that lone actor risk.

    Our biggest threat right now is a lone actor coming in to attack a church. It will be shocking if we don’t have a lone actor attacking a church in the next four weeks. We fully expect it., and don’t want to put a percentage on it. but just be ready. Now, while you’re out there patrolling, be alert.

    We want you to remember the chances of something happening at your church are pretty minimal, but they’re not zero. You don’t have this bunker mentality. We want you to be an enhanced greeter. Put a smile on your face, greet everybody as they come in, have a plan to defeat evil when it comes. While we’re concerned with safety and security, remember, we are a ministry, to serve Him.

  • ISIS-Aligned Publication Encourages Poison Attacks on Western Gatherings

    A huge concern for festivals you may have at your church. The information is out there for lone wolf actors. IMMEDIATELY, you must come up with a plan to deal with this issue, warns our fried Keith Graves, founder of ChristianWarriorTraining.com, a Free source of training info to help you serve Him.

    A recently released English-language ISIS-aligned magazine is promoting low-tech poison attacks against Western soft targets, including public gatherings such as festivals, markets, and other crowded venues, like church or community activities, functions. While no specific churches are named, faith-based gatherings fall within the broader “soft target” category described in the material.

    A recently released English-language ISIS-aligned magazine is promoting low-tech poison attacks against Western soft targets, including public gatherings such as festivals, markets, and other crowded venues. Source: Invade (a new English publication from ISIS)

  • Faith Based Threat Intelligence Briefing-

    The current situation between our United States and the regime in Iran is causing real concern in the faith community’s churches and houses of worship. Our country, and government, is engaged in an active military confrontation, following the strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, other senior milirary and regime officiaks and figures at this time.

    After the recent disruption and disturbance at a church in Minneapolis Minnesota, it became clear to some that those who don’t share our faith could become a real danger. With the new activities and attacks by Iran, it seems clear now that churches need to quickly Be Prepared, IF they are not already Ready. With A Plan, Policies, And Training, to Protect Their Flocks Of Lambs And Sheep.

    .Wartime martyrdom rhetoric inside domestic religious paces can quickly increase,by la one actor, or team of dangerous sleeper cells. They could have come in over the Biden open border years. Mobilization risks, particularly in dense religious regions of America, can start without warning. And some training camps have been going on for years, usually remote areas for a range with a lot of arms, ammo.

    Threat Level: HIGH (Orange) While there has not been any explicit call to violence against churches houses of worship, the shooting this weekend in Austin Texas by a 53 year old naturalized citizen, wearing a sweat shirt with Property Of Allah and a t-shirt under it with a flag of Iran, should be a Warning, of what could be coming against a faith community.

    History has shown that durimg periods of international conflict correlated with increased lone actor activity, a majority of people will not act. But a small number will. Given current conditions, one actor, with violence on his mind during this war period, is highly probable. This is why you need to be able to act, react, with a Plan, Policies, and the equipment and trainjng to protect thise you have been called to serve for His flock.

    We thank our brother in Christ, Keith Graves, of Christian Warrior Training Academy program, for sharing this info and guidance.

  • Be Prepared, Train, Be Ready Before A Need

    In 1st Samuel 17:36, the Bible shares that David knew his job, to protect the lambs and sheep. And he had trained to do it, before he had a need to protect them. Sheepdog have the same type duty now, to protect His Flock of lambs and sheep He has provided them.

    Church Safety Security Teams should be like David, called to serve, and Trained on how to provide for and protect his sheep. The pastor is called to be His shepherd, to protect His flock. The Safety Team are the sheepdog, called to help the shepherd provide for. and to protect His flock. We help with training.

    FBSN is an organization that helps to train the sheepdog in hiw to best do their jobs. There are several very good sources of training, to help you to be better able to do the job God ĥas called you to do, for Him.

    If you email us for info on what we do here and have coming up, like a Tactical First Aid class in Va Beach soon, or some of the regional or national training, like FBSN and others have coming soon, we’ll be happy to share the information, to help you to serve. Email: ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com.

    Thanks to Carl Chinn, an old friend and the founder of the Faith Based Security Network for allowing us to share this info with you..

  • Physical Readiness for Church Security Teams

    Church security is not a ceremonial role. On a difficult day, someone may need to move quickly, assist another person, or respond to a developing situation before law enforcement arrives.

    This is not about age. It is about readiness. Faithful service matters. Experience matters. But physical limitations must be honestly evaluated so the team remains safe and effective.

    What the Role May Require

    Church security regularly involves:

    • Standing for extended periods
    • Walking hallways and exterior property
    • Climbing stairs
    • Assisting someone who has fallen or become ill
    • Moving with purpose during an emergency
    • Maintaining awareness under stress

    These are not extreme expectations. They are routine realities.

    The Key Question

    Every team member should be able to ask:

    • Can I perform these tasks without becoming the emergency?
    • Can I assist someone safely if needed?
    • Can I move quickly for short distances if circumstances require it?

    This is not a military standard.
    It is not a law enforcement fitness test.
    It is a practical readiness standard for ministry safety.

    Service Is Honored — Readiness Is Required

    Many of our safety team members helped build these ministries. Their commitment and years of service are deeply valued.

    At the same time, roles may need to adjust over time. Some may serve best at access control, communications, medical support, monitoring cameras, or administrative coordination rather than patrol or rapid response.

    Adjusting assignments is not a demotion. It is stewardship.

    A team member serving in an active security role should reasonably be able to:

    ☐ Stand for 30–60 minutes
    ☐ Walk the property without significant difficulty
    ☐ Climb stairs safely
    ☐ Assist an adult who has fallen
    ☐ Move quickly for short distances

    If any of these cannot be performed safely, leadership should help identify a role better suited to the individual’s current abilities.

    Church security is about protecting people well. Honest conversations about readiness strengthen the team, protect the congregation, and honor both service and safety.

    Special thanks to Keith Graves, founder of Christian Warrior Training Academy, for his leadership and instruction, that continues to strengthen church safety ministries. ChristianWarriorTraining.com

  • Church Safety Security

    Crowd Disruptions, Disorder, and Safety Response

    Church leadership—specifically the pastor and governing body—must define how disruptions will be handled and clearly communicate those expectations to the Safety Ministry Team. The team operates under the authority, direction, and policies established by church leadership and does not act independently of that guidance.

    Authority and Decision-Making

    All responses to disruptions must align with:

    • The authority of the pastor and church leadership
    • Established church policies and procedures
    • Applicable local and state laws

    Safety Team members must understand what actions they are authorized to take, when leadership direction is required, and under what circumstances outside assistance (such as law enforcement or emergency services) may be requested.

    Role of Safety Ministry Team

    The Safety Ministry Team exists to protect people, not to serve as law enforcement. The primary mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment that allows worship to continue whenever possible.

    Core responsibilities include:

    • Early identification of potential disruptions
    • Calm, respectful engagement
    • De-escalation of tense situations
    • Protection of congregants, staff, and visitors

    Whenever feasible, team members should seek peaceful solutions, such as moving a disruptive individual or conversation outside of the worship space to reduce tension and prevent escalation.

    De-escalation and Safety Focus

    De-escalation is a critical skill and priority. Team members should:

    • Remain calm, respectful, and non-confrontational
    • Avoid actions that could escalate emotions or draw unnecessary attention
    • Work to resolve issues discreetly and safely

    The goal is always to preserve safety, dignity, and the sanctity of worship while minimizing disruption.

  • Holiday Safety Security Tips. Be Safer, Not Sorry

    We urge all Churches, Houses Of Worship and Synagogues to take extra precautions during this Holiday New YearSeason.

    1. Ensure awareness and coordination with law enforcemen, the Faith Community, and security professionals. Who may be serviing your facility.
    2. Extend the protections or security of your event’s/facility’s perimeter as far as possible. Many Assaults, Attacks, Breakins, Crimes, start in parking or other perimeter areas.
    3. For Specoal Events open to the public, you may want to require registration and verification of those attending. You may want to rovide details of location, time, and other information only upon confirmed registration of those coming.
    4. You should always have access control (locks and entrance procedures) if possible, and monitored entry doors, to only allow known, confirmed registrants/attendees coming, into the facility/event. All other doors locked.
    5. You should always remain vigilant to activities,anything out of the ordinary, and report any/all suspicious activity.
    6. Deter, Detect Any Unusual Activity, to Prevent a problem vs have to Defent aan incident or problem that comes up. If there is a possible problem in the parking, perimeter areas, call for backup up by your team and secure entry areas.
    7. If it looks like a potential problem, contact law enforcement and ket them know not an emergency yet, but ask fot a back up sent in case a later need. If things check out ir clear up, call and cancel the back up. Be safe, not sorry.

    Wishing you and yours a Hsppy And Safe, Successful, New Year For 2026. God Bless.

  • Securing Sacred Spaces: And Protecting Your Flock

    In today’s world, preparedness is a necessity, especially when it comes to protecting your congregation. That’s why we’re inviting church leaders, volunteers, and safety teams to two important events hosted by CSI Security in two locations on Dec 13th:

    Securing Sacred Spaces: Protecting Your Flock 📅 Date: December 13, 2025

    🕒 Registration 8:30A, Event 9A-11A

    📍 Location: Jackson Memorial Baptist Church- 4316 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

    🕒 Registration 1:30P, Event 2P – 5P

    🎈 Location: Grafton Baptist Church- 1301 Old York-Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23692

    This workshop will cover real-world strategies and best practices for enhancing church safety. You’ll learn how to proactively address potential threats, Respond To Emergencies.

    Topics Include:

    • Threat recognition and response
    • Legal protections and liabilities
    • Emergency preparedness and planning
    • Real-life case studies and lessons learned

    Seats are limited — RSVP now to reserve your spot. As our Special Guest Use Code CSIVA when you register, and get a Free ticket, as a CSI Guest..

    👉 Register Here For Jackson Memoral 1st Event Reg. 8:30A, 9-11A

    👉 REGISTER HERE For Grafton 2nd Event Reg.1:30P, Program 2-4P

    Let’s work together to keep our churches safe, secure, and welcoming. If you have any questions or want more info on this or future training, visit ChurchSecurityInstitute.net andSubscribe to our Free Newsletter and info. Or Email: Bob@ChurchSecurityInstitute.net 

    Hosted by Church Security Institute, GBC, and JMBC, In partnership with Right To Bear.

  • Norfolk InfraGard Chapter Holiday Luncheon Dec 4.

    This years pot luck luncheonis set for December 4th, 11:30A, at Dominion Enterprise Building, 150 Granby St, in Downtown Norfolk. Parking is available in nearby MacArthur, Town Point Parking Garages. Parking Fees Apply.

    The topics for discussion are Threat Evaluation, presented by retired FBI Agent Mike Freeman, and current
    Va Beach Emergency Management Deputy Security Coordinator. And Recognizing, Responding, and De-escalating Workplace Violence by Joseph Klucynski, Protective Security Advisor, DHS/CISA.

    This is a Pot Luck Luncheon, and our members and guests are invited to bring a dish to share. This is a great opportunity to network with others in business, faith based community, healthcare, industry, military, and public safety officials in Hampton Roads, as you eat and learn more.

    Below is the link to Reserve A Free Ticket to this popular annual event, to meet new contacts and friends, network with others, and learn more, as you enjoy a great pot luck lunch.

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/infragard-norfolk-chapter-holiday-potluck-luncheon-tickets-1962597625329?aff=oddtdtcreator

    And don’t forget our two Faith Based Safety Security Training Events Dec. 13th. A flyer will be on the way soon, and you can pre-register by emailing your contact info, cell number, name of church, city. Do they have a Safety Team, and are you on it, or they want to start one. Email your info to us at: ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com

  • What Is Happening To Our Youth, And It’s Behavior?

    ATHENS, Ga. (WKRC) –  Teenager allegedly confessed to beating his own grandmother to death inside a church she attended, with her body later being discovered in the holy building. Could it be at your church?

    Police were dispatched to Smith Chapel Holiness Church at around 5:45 p.m. on October 29 after family members discovered 73-year-old Ollie Hamilton dead inside of the church, according to The Independent. The victim was reportedly found near an area that led to the kitchen, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Investigators said they found evidence linking Ollie’s 17-year-old grandson, Jadynn Hamilton, to the crime. “The longer the investigation went, evidence started pointing in a certain direction,” Sheriff Kevin Crook said during a press conference obtained by the Monroe Journal.

    “A young man had supposedly gone for help early on after the attack. We ended up bringing him in last night, and he confessed to the crime.” Authorities did not explain Hamilton’s motive and noted that he had no prior run-ins with law enforcement.
    https://kfoxtv.com/news/nation-world/teen-murdered-grandma-church-grandson-teenager-grandmother-police-chapel-hamilton-kitchen-dead-beat-to-death-killed-murder-kill-attack-attacked-confessed-confession-guilty-admitted-tragedy

    Here is some added info from Christian Warrior Training Academy: