Texas Church to Host Concealed Handgun Training Class

From: Fox News

A Baptist church in the Texas Panhandle plans to host concealed handgun training, saying it's offering the class as a community service because there is so much interest in the area.

People wanting to get a concealed handgun license in Texas must take the class. The Rev. Brad Foster of Calvary Baptist Church in Dumas told the Amarillo Globe-News for a story in Saturday's editions that a state-certified instructor will teach the first 10-hour class in the fellowship hall March 2. It covers how to safely handle firearms.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/10/texas-church-to-host-concealed-handgun-training-class/#ixzz2KXkBGlXt

Photo Credit: Luke's Rants

Texas Pastor Beaten to Death with Electric Guitar

From: EMS1.com

FOREST HILL, Texas — A pastor in suburban Fort Worth was killed Monday by an attacker who rammed a car into a church wall, chased the pastor and beat him with an electric guitar, police said.

Forest Hill police did not say why the unidentified suspect attacked the Rev. Danny Kirk Sr., the founding pastor of Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church.

The suspect, who police subdued by using a Taser, died a short time after being taken into custody.

Click for Full Story

Workshop to Focus on Church Security

From: The Augusta Chronicle

As the administrator of First Baptist Church of Augusta, Jacob Malone has encountered everything from people trying to take over Sunday morning worship services to rabid animals on campus.

He has had deranged people confront church secretaries and light fires in the sanctuary. Cars have been vandalized, and once, he said, a flasher disrupted the church’s Wednesday night program.

Such events inspired him to invite the community to a church safety training event, put on by the Center for Personal Protection and Safety. The agency’s expert on church security will present a full-day workshop at First Baptist on Oct. 18.

Click for More

Texas Man Killed Pastor At NorthPointe Baptist Church

From: Huffington Post

FORT WORTH, Texas — A man convicted of killing a North Texas pastor caused various problems while jailed after his arrest for the crime – including assaulting jailers – and had been committing offenses since he was a teenager, according to testimony Monday during the punishment phase of his trial.

Steven Lawayne Nelson, 25, is facing the death penalty or life in prison without parole for the suffocation death of the Rev. Clint Dobson at Arlington's NorthPointe Baptist Church in March 2011. Nelson also beat the church secretary before stealing her car and other items.

Click for More

Ashe Church Totaled in Sunday Arson Fire

From: Go Blue Ridge

Ashe investigators are now saying that the early Sunday morning fire that destroyed an Ashe church was arson, a fire set to cover a break-in and theft. The North Beaver Baptist Church was totally destroyed in the blaze, discovered by a passing deputy. The deputy found the church, at the Boggs Road intersection with NC 163, with smoke pouring from the eaves at about 1 Sunday morning, according to church member Conard Mash.

Read More

My Thoughts: This article was brought to my attention by Humphrey Hayes, who is the director of security of Samaritan's Purse. What caught my attention about this article was the fact that the fire was set to cover up the break-in and theft. almost every week I can find a story related to a church fire. Within those fires it is extremely common to learn that the result was arson related. What is rare is to find an arson related fire that was set to cover the tracks of another crime. 

County Churches Partner to Combat Neighborhood Crime

From: Bradenton Times

PALMETTO -- The First Baptist Church of Palmetto joined in local efforts to reduce crime throughout the community’s poorer areas by implementing Adopt A Block mission programs. After successfully hosting its first outreach event in the spring, First Baptist now works in solidarity with four additional churches toward a common goal of safer Manatee County neighborhoods.

Retaining strong support from law enforcement, two First Baptist bible studies groups and members of North River, Sarasota Baptist, Bayside Community and Mt. Carmel churches distribute donated pancake breakfasts, form cleanup teams and entertain youth and senior residents among participating block locations.

Read More

Thieves Target Berkeley Churches During Services

From: The Post and Courier

{While worshippers were raising a joyful noise inside Berkeley Baptist Church on Sunday, thieves were making some noise of their own smashing car windows in the church parking lot.

Brittany White thought her pocket book would be safe inside her husband’s truck during the service at the Moncks Corner church on U.S. Highway 52. She was wrong. Thieves broke a window and made off with her purse, which contained her Social Security card, credit cards and other belongings.}

Read More: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120710/PC16/120719976

Church Responds During Moment of Need!

From: WRAL News

{RALEIGH, N.C. — Highland Baptist Church in Raleigh is choosing to remember the deadly tornadoes that slammed the state one year ago by celebrating their disaster relief efforts.

"It's a celebration of how God used this church to respond immediately (to tornado victims)," said Lin Honeycutt, a member of the church and a volunteer with the North Carolina Baptist Men.

The Baptist Men are trained in disaster relief efforts and were one of the leading groups sending resources and volunteers into tornado-ravaged areas. Of the group's 13,000 volunteers statewide, 68 are members of Highland Baptist. }

Click for Article

Church Sign - Beyonce Had Her Baby

From: The Pilot

{Even a small Baptist church on a country road in Moore County can be a victim of the viral Internet.

A photo purporting to show Beulah Hill Baptist Church’s sign on the entertainment website TMZ sparked a flood of calls.

In the picture — beneath Pastor Curtis Barbery’s name and times for Sunday School and worship services — it looks as if somebody put up one of the messages frequently used on such signs. It capitalized on wide interest in the birth of singer Beyonce Knowles’ and rapper Jay-Z’s baby.

“Beyonce Had Her Baby, Satan Is on Earth,” it proclaimed in capital letters.}

Click For Full Article

Photo from TMZ... (Internet Scam)

Photo from The Pilot (Real Sign)

My Thoughts: Church security is needed in all types and forms. It seems that someone took a random picture from the internet and added a little photoshop. The picture went viral on the internet and the church was left with the aftermath. What would your congregation do if this happened to you?

Slaying of a Pastor at his Texas Church

"A convicted felon was arrested Saturday and faces a capital murder charge in the slaying of a pastor at his Texas church in an apparent robbery, police said.

Steven Lawayne Nelson, 24, was arrested at an apartment complex following a brief standoff with Arlington police, department spokeswoman Tiara Ellis Richard said. Nelson apparently had been staying in an apartment a few blocks away from the NorthPointe Baptist Church, where the Rev. Clint Dobson was found dead and his assistant was severely beaten Thursday."

Click for Article

10 Baptist Church Members Detained in Haiti

Jan. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Haitian police yesterday arrested 10 American Baptist Church members as they tried to bus 33 orphaned children across the border into the Dominican Republic allegedly without proper documentation, a spokesman for the Central Valley Baptist Church said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=abWDWCsGSN00

Thousands of church goers have flocked to Haiti to provided assistance to victims of this most resent tragedy. The majority of the people i speak with know at least one person who has travel to this country to offer support. This article is an important reminder to all those who may be in the country to remember that regardless of the tragedy that has occurred the Haitian Government is still in force. The United States Government is play a major role in the recovery act provided on the ground; however, this is still a foreign nation and those who are their helping are still subject to their laws. 

I do not know the full details of this story. I am not implying that the individuals in question are indeed wrong. I am using their example as a warning for all those who may be traveling abroad to keep this story in mind while making decisions on your course of action. 

Two Baptist Churches, One Small Town

Two Baptist churches in one small town… One church was the victim of car break-in while the other was the victim of a stray bullet. One incident may have been preventable while the other a random act of violence or just simple stupidity.

Does your church have a parking crew or security team assigned to monitor your parking lot? If not think about how you can start off small. Is there a member of your church who would be willing to volunteer to walk your parking lot once or twice during the church service?

Criminals normally want to strike easy targets. Many times they are also smarter then we give credit for. Most criminals will check out or conduct surveillance their targets multiple times people carrying out their crime. It only takes getting caught once to end their malicious activities.

By patrolling your parking lots and the exterior of your building you are providing a visual deterrence for anyone who may be considering do wrong to your property. This is a small task that can provide great rewards!

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/church-42405-gastonia-police.html

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/police-42406-church-gastonia.html

Church Security - Baptist Press

In 1999 the Baptist press ran a story on Church Security. It is interesting that after a decade we are still struggling to advance the same message.

The article address three main topics:

Have adequate lighting, both inside and outside.
"Lighting is the No. 1 deterrent to criminal activity," he said.

Have access control.
"We have been into many churches that leave their doors open and allow people to roam the halls at any hour. This is a disaster waiting to happen," he said. "Yes, the church should be open to anyone, and the church is here to minister to everyone. However, just as you wouldn't put a wolf in your child's bedroom and walk away, we must also take the same precautions toward access of God's precious house."

Screen employees and volunteers.

http://www.baptiststandard.com/1999/10_27/pages/security.html

Mark Driscoll on Church Security

After the shooting of Pastor Fred Winters at the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, (March 8th, 2009) Mark Driscoll, Preaching Pastor at Mars Hill Church, commented on 5 important topics to consider in reference to Church Security.

1. Does your church have a series of written, known, and practiced emergency plans?

2. How secure is your children’s ministry?

3. Does your church have security?

4. Does your church have a warm relationship with the local police?

5. Does your church have a policy for potentially dangerous people?

Click on the Below Article and Read Driscoll’s Response…
http://theresurgence.com/church_shooting

Church Shooting - Houston

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/091205-market-street-swat-shooting

HOUSTON - Those weren't church bells ringing at the Market Street Baptist Church in Northeast Houston Saturday morning. It was gunfire ringing out just before 10 a.m.

What is the emotional trigger that causes a person to commit a crime? Specifically, what would have to happen to cause you or someone you know to be willing to take a person hostage and eventually take your own life? I hope that you are never able to come up with an answer to these questions. For me I pray that I am always able to look towards the Lord for strength even in times of trial.

1st Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Unfortunately crimes like this are becoming all too common in our churches across this country. A common trigger that most law enforcement officers would contribute to this action would be directly related to domestic problems within the home. To compound the problem issues tend to surface more during the holidays.

It is important to try to notice signs of aggression prior to a person committing them. Pastors should take this issue seriously and look at how their church counseling programs are being run.