Founder of Christian Security Network Available for Interviews and Analysis

Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710, tmays@inchristcommunications.com; Download Q&A and press kit at www.christiansecuritynetwork.org/press-room

CINCINNATI, Sept. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Sept. 15, 1999, Larry Gene Ashbrook walked into Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and started shooting. When he was done, eight people, including Ashbrook, were dead, and another seven were wounded. The 10th anniversary of the tragedy, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, marks an important opportunity to examine the state of church security across America.

According to Jeffrey Hawkins, founder and executive director of the Christian Security Network, more than 75 percent of congregations in the United States are still unprepared for a security emergency.

"Security is extremely misunderstood in the Christian community," Hawkins said. "Christian leaders really need to understand that incidents like this could happen in any congregation, but also, how easily--with the right information and planning--security can be integrated into their world."

The danger is real. Hawkins says seven killings have been documented in U.S. churches this year, the most recent the tragic killing of a pastor in her church in Oklahoma, with even higher numbers of assaults, arsons, robberies and burglaries.

The Sept. 12, 2009, edition of "World" magazine features an article by Mark Bergin (www.worldmag.com/articles/15805) that highlights how to balance the need for security with the need for openness. Bergin writes:

Hawkins, with 30 years of experience in security and law enforcement, wants every church, no matter its size, to think through and deploy a security strategy. He doesn't mean armed guards and metal detectors: "You don't want your security to be intimidating, because you don't want to drive people away or give the impression you're not inviting. Good security is like an iceberg; the general public should only see about 10 percent of what you have." 

Hawkins, formerly chief security officer for a large international Christian ministry, regularly consults with churches and denominations. Available for interviews on this topic, Hawkins is frequently quoted in magazines and on radio and television.

The Christian Security Network (www.christiansecuritynetwork.com) is a national organization dedicated to the advancement of security, safety and emergency planning for Christian churches, schools, ministries and missionaries. The organization provides training, information and resources to help faith-based organizations minimize risks and increase safety. In addition to implementing plans against violent acts, arson and similar tragedies, Christian Security Network also provides resources that address lawsuits and liability, medical emergencies and destructive weather. The organization provides webinars, seminars, training articles, access to intelligence information, grant information to fund security measures, on-site risk assessments and educational materials. 
 
As a service to the public, Christian Security Network is providing a Q&A with Hawkins on recent trends in church security at www.christiansecuritynetwork.org/press-room.  Members of the media are encouraged to reproduce the 800-word Q&A, titled "Vulnerable to Violence," in whole or in part, either in print or online.