Securing the Sanctuary-Christian Warrior Training

Keith Graves

Join Christian Warrior Training for practical insights and training resources on church security. Our articles and videos empower church security teams to better protect their congregations and communities. www.christianwarriortraining.com

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Idaho Terror Attack on ICE Building: What Churches Should Learn From the Warning Signs

    This newsletter is made possible by paid subscriptions. If you find this useful, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription. A bus was driven into an office building in Idaho that was set to house federal agencies, including ICE and DHS. Gasoline was poured inside. This was not vandalism. It was a domestic terror attack directed at a symbolic target. A lot of people were surprised this happened in Idaho. They associate this kind of activity with larger cities. That assumption is dangerous. What concerns me more than where it happened is what happened before it. In the days leading up to the attack, I was watching Idaho 50501 on Facebook. The tone was shifting. People were openly discussing the building. They were naming ICE. They were saying something needed to be done. When someone raised concerns about St. Luke’s Hospital employees being affected, anonymous accounts claiming to work there responded by encouraging action anyway. That tells you something about where the emotional temperature was. This was not subtle. The language moved from disagreement to urgency. From frustration to moral justification. Once that shift happens, the risk level changes. After nearly three decades in law enforcement, I can tell you this: violence rarely begins with the act. It begins with permission. Groups give themselves permission first. They justify it. They convince each other it is necessary. By the time someone drives a vehicle into a building, the groundwork has already been laid. The Idaho attack did not appear out of nowhere. It formed in public view. Churches need to understand that. Churches Need an Intelligence Officer, Not Just a Security Team Most church security teams focus on the physical environment. Doors. Cameras. Medical kits. Radios. Armed volunteers. All of that is necessary. Very few teams assign someone to monitor the information space. That is a mistake. If no one on your team is responsible for tracking local activist groups, then no one is watching the early indicators. You are waiting for something to show up in your parking lot instead of recognizing it while it is still forming online. Groups that oppose ICE have already targeted churches in other parts of the country. Sometimes it is because ICE agents attend the church. Sometimes it is because a church publicly supports law enforcement. Sometimes it is nothing more than a rumor or a social media post that creates an association. Real association or perceived association does not matter. If activists believe your church is connected, that belief can be enough to justify protest or disruption in their minds. That is why every serious church security team should designate one person as an intelligence officer. This does not mean infiltrating groups. It does not mean engaging in arguments. It means monitoring publicly available information. That person should: Monitor local activist pages and groups.Track tone shifts in rhetoric.Document repeated references to specific facilities.Note calls for “direct action.”Watch for event timing tied to your service schedule. This role should report regularly to the security director and senior leadership. A short weekly brief is enough. The purpose is awareness, not alarm. We already teach pre attack indicators at the individual level. Before someone throws a punch, their body shifts. Their jaw tightens. Their stance changes. The same principle applies in the digital space. Before someone drives a bus into a building, the language shifts. Opposition turns into agitation.Agitation turns into justification.Justification turns into a call for action. If you are not watching that progression locally, you are blind to the early stages of a threat. Assigning an intelligence officer is not paranoia. It is stewardship. Digital Pre Attack Indicators Churches Should Not Ignore If you assign someone to monitor local groups, you need to be clear about what they are looking for. Not every angry post is a threat. Not every protest leads to violence. The goal is not to overreact. The goal is to recognize escalation. There are patterns. First, repeated naming of a specific church or facility. When a building goes from being part of a general complaint to being identified by name, that is target fixation. In Idaho, the building housing ICE was no longer an abstract symbol. It was a location people were discussing directly. Second, language that shifts from disagreement to urgency. Words like “something needs to be done” are not instructions by themselves, but they create psychological permission. When multiple people reinforce that language, the tone changes. Third, moral justification. When people begin framing action as necessary, righteous, or unavoidable, the barrier to violence lowers. In the Idaho case, even when concerns were raised about St. Luke’s employees being affected, some accounts claiming to work there encouraged action anyway. That tells you the justification had already taken hold. Fourth, event specific timing. If discussion begins tying action to dates, service times, or known gatherings, your risk posture changes immediately. That is no longer abstract frustration. That is planning language. Fifth, doxxing or attempts to identify staff and members. Once names and faces are circulated with hostile commentary, the situation has moved into a more serious phase. An intelligence officer should not guess at intent. They should document patterns. Screenshot posts. Record dates. Track progression. If escalation continues, that information can be shared with law enforcement partners in a clear and organized way. This is how you stay ahead of the curve. Waiting for a threat to show up at the door is reactive. Watching escalation develop in public is proactive. The Responsibility of the Watchman, Ezekiel 33:6 Ezekiel 33 describes a watchman assigned to stand guard over a city. His job was simple. If he saw the sword coming, he was to blow the trumpet and warn the people. Verse 6 is direct: “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned… his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” The watchman is not responsible for stopping every attack. He is responsible for seeing and warning. That distinction is important for church leadership and security teams. No church can prevent every hostile act. You cannot control the national climate. You cannot control activist movements. But you are responsible for whether you are paying attention. If escalation is visible online in your own community and no one on your team is assigned to monitor it, that is not a technology problem. It is a leadership decision. God takes the role of the watchman seriously. The watchman is not dramatic. He is not reactionary. He is observant. He is disciplined. He understands that danger often appears in the distance before it reaches the gate. The Idaho terror attack should not be viewed as an isolated event in a quiet state. It should be viewed as a reminder of how violence forms. It develops in language. It grows in groups. It becomes justified long before it becomes physical. Churches that want to remain open, faithful, and steady must also be alert. Assign someone to watch. Blow the trumpet when escalation appears. That is not fear. That is obedience. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    9 min
  2. Weekly Intelligence and Roll Call Briefing for Church Security Teams

    6 FEB

    Weekly Intelligence and Roll Call Briefing for Church Security Teams

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com Paid subscribers make this Christian Warrior possible! Thank you! The Weekly Roll Call Briefing is designed for use immediately before Sunday services. It gives Safety Team leaders a clear, structured brief they can deliver in 10 to 15 minutes to set posture, priorities, and expectations for the day. Much of the information covered in the briefing appears throughout the week in individual updates and reports. Paid subscribers receive that material consolidated into a single roll call PDF, paired with a companion video, and organized specifically for pre service use. The briefing integrates threat posture, biblical perspective, current intelligence, and a focused awareness or training emphasis, all in one place. The result is not more information, but better alignment. Teams walk in informed, disciplined, and working from the same page, rather than reacting to fragmented updates or last minute conversations. DOWNLOAD THE ROLL CALL PDF👇

    1 min
  3. BREAKING: Church Shooting Plot Stopped, Teen Arrested in Florida

    5 FEB

    BREAKING: Church Shooting Plot Stopped, Teen Arrested in Florida

    Breaking news like this is made possible by paid subscriptions. A Florida Case That Exposes a Deeper Problem On February 4, 2026, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a fourteen year old in Wimauma, Florida, after investigators uncovered online discussions about carrying out a shooting at a nearby church. The suspect did not name a specific congregation, but authorities confirmed the intent was local and credible. The investigation revealed that the juvenile had been participating in online extremist forums associated with violence and satanic themed ideology. During a lawful search of the residence, deputies recovered firearms and ammunition, including a weapon accessible from a parent’s nightstand. Electronic devices tied to the suspect also contained child sexual abuse material, resulting in additional felony charges. This case fits what I’ve been warning about for a long time. Lone wolf actors remain the most serious threat to churches. They don’t belong to a clean organization, they don’t follow a single ideology, and they are often radicalized alone online. When Ideology Stops Making Sense One of the most telling aspects of this case is that the suspect is of Hispanic origin while associating with neo Nazi ideology. That contradiction is not accidental. It signals that ideology was not functioning as belief, but as provocation. In modern online extremist spaces, labels are often borrowed for their shock value rather than their meaning. Neo Nazi symbols, satanic language, and calls for violence get blended together in ways that have no theological or political coherence. What binds them is not doctrine, but rejection. Rejection of moral order. Rejection of restraint. Rejection of inherited identity. This pattern aligns closely with nihilistic radicalization. In these environments, meaning is not discovered or built. It is burned down. Violence becomes a way to feel significant. Transgression becomes a substitute for purpose. For adolescents, whose identities are still forming, that pull can be especially strong. The presence of both mass violence threats and sexual exploitation is not coincidental. When moral boundaries collapse, they tend to collapse together. Why Intelligence Stopped This Before Violence Did This case was interrupted because information was identified, connected, and acted on early. It was an intelligence success, not a reaction success. Churches often think of security in physical terms. Cameras. Doors. Armed volunteers. Those are necessary, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. Many modern threats begin online, long before a person ever walks onto church property. An intelligence function inside a church does not mean surveillance or vigilantism. It means disciplined awareness of publicly accessible information. It means recognizing when extremist conversations reference local places, churches, schedules, or events. It means knowing how to document concerns and pass them to law enforcement before a threat matures. Federal agencies see the national picture. Churches see the local one. When those two perspectives connect early, prevention becomes possible. This case underscores a reality churches must accept. Threat actors no longer fit neat demographic or ideological categories. Behavior, escalation, and online activity are more reliable indicators than labels. A Biblical Lens on Corruption and Responsibility Scripture speaks with clarity about what happens when the young are led astray, and it does so with urgency. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus says, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” That is one of the strongest warnings Christ ever issued. It is directed at those who corrupt, exploit, or deliberately mislead the young. The severity of the language reflects the seriousness of the offense. God does not treat the destruction of innocence lightly. This case reflects multiple layers of that warning. A minor immersed in violent, morally inverted online communities did not arrive there by accident. Scripture repeatedly teaches that when truth is absent, something else fills the void. Proverbs 22:15 reminds us that folly is bound up in the heart of a child. Wisdom must be taught, guarded, and reinforced. When it is not, other influences rush in. Judges 21:25 describes a society where everyone did what was right in his own eyes. The result was not freedom, but chaos and cruelty. The discovery of child sexual abuse material alongside threats of violence shows how far a person can drift when moral anchors are cut loose. Scripture does not separate these evils. Both reflect a rejection of God’s order and a devaluing of human life. What Churches Should Take From This Churches are called to protect the vulnerable, teach truth, and remain watchful. That includes spiritual care, moral clarity, and practical awareness of the environments shaping the next generation. Security ministries that integrate intelligence awareness with physical preparedness are not abandoning trust in God. They are exercising stewardship. Watching early is often what prevents acting late. Jesus’ warning about the millstone is not only judgment. It is a reminder that God sees corruption clearly and holds people accountable for the damage they cause. It is also a call to the Church to take its role seriously in a world where many have lost their way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    26 min
  4. Targeting Churches Is Not Protest: A Minnesota Situation Update

    25 JAN

    Targeting Churches Is Not Protest: A Minnesota Situation Update

    If you want to support this ministry and its work, a paid subscription goes a long way. I went live tonight to give a brief situation update following the unrest in Minnesota and the disruption of a church service in Saint Paul last Sunday. With another Sunday approaching, I wanted to help Christians and church leaders think clearly about what’s happening, what may come next, and how to prepare without fear. The live covers recent reporting, biblical guidance on gathering and obedience, and practical steps churches can take right now. This was not meant to create panic, but to provide clarity and wisdom for those heading into Sunday services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    51 min
  5. The Night Christ Was Born, Someone Was Standing Watch

    22/12/2025

    The Night Christ Was Born, Someone Was Standing Watch

    Christmas is often remembered as quiet and peaceful. Scripture tells us that on the night Christ was born, while others slept, shepherds were awake and keeping watch. Their vigilance was not symbolic. It was necessary. In this episode, we look at why God chose to announce the birth of His Son to men who were already standing watch, and what that means for those who serve quietly and faithfully today. This conversation is for those who stay alert while others rest, who carry responsibility without recognition, and who need the reminder that watchfulness and faith are not in conflict. Key Themes Covered:• The overlooked detail of the shepherds keeping watch at night• Why God meets people in the middle of faithful responsibility• Watchfulness as obedience, not fear• The balance between vigilance and trust in God• Why Scripture defines limits on the weight we carry Scripture Referenced:Luke 2:8Matthew 2:13–14Hebrews 6:10Psalm 127:1John 1:5Ephesians 5:181 Peter 5:8 Key Takeaway:You are called to be faithful, not to carry what only God can carry. You stand watch, but you are not the Savior. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    6 min

  6. 28/09/2025

    🚨 BREAKING: Gunman Attacks Michigan Church — 2 Dead, 9 Wounded, Fire Set

    Because of paid subscribers, I’m able to provide churches that can’t afford this kind of intelligence and training with the resources they need to protect their congregations. Background On Sunday, 28 September 2025 during the morning worship service, a gunman attacked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) meetinghouse on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. The township is a suburb roughly 50 miles north of Detroit. This summary pulls together information from police statements and vetted news reports. Reports consistently note that the attack occurred at approximately 10:25 a.m. local time and involved both gunfire and an intentional arson attack. The assailant was a 40‑year‑old male from Burton, Michigan. Law enforcement officials state that he drove a vehicle through the church’s front entrance, opened fire on congregants and then set the building on fire. Responding officers shot and killed the suspect at the scene. Incident Overview * Attack method – According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, the perpetrator rammed a vehicle into the front door of the LDS meetinghouse, exited the vehicle with a semi automatic rifle and began firing on the worshippers. Police say the attacker then deliberately ignited a fire, which quickly engulfed part of the building and impeded escape. Flames and smoke could be seen for hours, and first responders had to extinguish the fire before fully searching the churchwcvb.com. * Response – Officers were on scene quickly. They engaged the gunman, fatally shooting him. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department posted on social media that “there are multiple victims and the shooter is down. There is no threat to the public at this time. The church is actively on fire.” The statement indicated that the shooter acted alone and that there was no ongoing threat to the community. * Casualties – Early reports from WXYZ Detroit indicated at least two fatalities, including the suspect, and nine injuries, several of which were critical. Follow‑up local reporting confirmed that one congregant was killed and nine others were hospitalized, with police cautioning that additional victims might be found once the building was safe to enter. Law enforcement and fire officials later reported that the fire hindered escape and that they expected to discover more victims after the fire was extinguished. Suspect and Tactics * Identity – Police initially withheld the suspect’s name but described him as a 40‑year‑old man from Burton, Michigan. Chief Renye said the man used a semi automatic rifle during the attack and drove his vehicle through the church’s wall. He was shot and killed during the police response. * Vehicle ramming and arson – The attacker used the vehicle both as a breaching tool and an incendiary device. After crashing through the entrance, he lit the building on fire using accelerants (exact method not yet publicly released). Witness accounts and police statements emphasize that the fire prevented people from leaving and complicated rescue. * Search warrants – Police executed search warrants at the suspect’s home in Burton. There are reports that the FBI sent approximately 100 agents to assist with searching the residence. Investigators are collecting electronic devices, explosives‑related materials and writings to determine motive and whether anyone assisted him. Law enforcement has stated that there is no evidence of additional suspects, and they consider the attacker to have acted alone. Investigation and Motive * Motive – As of late September 2025, investigators had not publicly identified a motive. Chief Renye told reporters that police did not yet have a motive for the fire or shooting. The attack occurred a day after the death of LDS President Russell M. Nelson; however, officials have not connected the two events and continue to explore possible ideological, personal or mental‑health factors. * Federal assistance – The FBI, ATF and state police are participating in the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that federal agents were on scene assisting local authorities and condemned violence in houses of worship. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is tracing the firearms and examining the arson elements. * Search for additional victims – Because of the extensive fire damage, police and fire officials expected to locate additional victims once they could safely search the building. As of the most recent updates, only one congregant fatality had been confirmed, but officials warned that the toll might rise. Implications for Church Safety This incident illustrates several challenges for security teams protecting houses of worship: * Vehicle as a weapon: The attacker used a vehicle to breach the building’s entrance. Churches should consider bollards or other physical barriers to deter vehicle‑ramming attacks. * Dual‑threat tactics: Combining armed assault with arson trapped victims and complicated response. Fire detection, suppression systems and multiple exits can reduce casualties during arson‑involved attacks. * Rapid response capability: Police neutralized the shooter quickly; however, internal church safety teams should have medical kits, fire extinguishers and evacuation plans to manage the first critical minutes before law enforcement arrives. * Interagency coordination: The incident required coordination between local police, fire departments and federal agencies. Churches should build relationships with first responders to improve response times and information sharing. * Mental‑health and threat‑reporting: Authorities continue to examine the suspect’s background for warning signs. Congregations should encourage members to report concerning behaviour so potential threats can be assessed before violence occurs. Biblical Foundations for Preparedness and Vigilance Ezekiel 33:6–7 (ESV)“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” Explanation: God’s standard for the watchman is clear: warn the people, or be held accountable. Church safety ministries act in that role today, called to recognize danger and protect the flock. Nehemiah 4:9 (ESV)“And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Explanation: Nehemiah shows us that prayer and preparedness work together. Trust in God must be accompanied by wise action, such as guards and readiness. Proverbs 22:3 (ESV)“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Explanation: Wisdom means anticipating danger and taking steps to avoid harm. For a church, that means developing training, plans, and watchfulness. Luke 21:36 (ESV)“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Explanation: Jesus ties prayer directly to vigilance. Being spiritually and physically alert equips believers to stand strong when trials come. Scripture calls us to pray, remain vigilant, and take responsibility as watchmen for the church. Preparedness is not fear. It is faith in action, ensuring that the body of Christ can gather safely to worship Him. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    20 min
  7. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: A Turning Point for America and the Church

    11/09/2025

    Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: A Turning Point for America and the Church

    Help me provide free training and intelligence to people like you. A paid subscription helps me help those that cannot afford quality training. I went live to address the assassination of Charlie Kirk, breaking down what really happened, debunking conspiracy theories, and explaining what this moment means for America, for Christians, and for our churches. I also shared my perspective as a former sniper and team leader on why this was the work of a Lone Wolf actor, and why that makes the threat even more dangerous. If you missed it, you can watch the full replay now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    1h 8m

  8. 27/07/2025

    Active Shooter Preview From Christian Warrior Academy

    Help me support churches around the US with critical info like this. A paid subscription makes this happen. On August 2nd, I’ll be teaching a full-day Christian Warrior Academy class in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and I want you to see exactly what to expect before you show up. What you’re about to watch is a sneak peek—an hour-long video of the active shooter segment from a previous class I taught in Chino Hills, California. IN PERSON ONLY! IT’S NOT ONLINE ➡️ Click here to register for the Coeur d’Alene training – only 150 seats leftPlease only register if you plan to attend in person.This is a live class only. There will be no livestream or replay. What You’ll See in This Video This segment focuses entirely on active shooter threats in church environments. I cover: * Immediate response tactics when seconds count * Weapon selection and gear considerations * Why training matters more than fancy equipment * Hostage scenarios in children’s ministry areas * How to handle it when the police aren’t there yet—and may never make it in time You'll also see how we conduct realistic scenario training, why your team needs to move beyond theory, and how to build protocols that actually hold up when it matters most. This is not a theory-based class. It's rooted in the kind of tactical experience that only comes from decades in law enforcement and church safety leadership. Why the Full Class Isn’t Online The Christian Warrior Academy covers tactics, team formations, and vulnerability points that shouldn’t be in the open. I don’t want bad actors studying how we operate. This one-hour preview is what I can safely share to help you decide if this training is for you. If you want the full experience, I’ll see you August 2nd in Coeur d'Alene. This Class Is Free—Here’s Why This training is made possible by the support of Right to Bear, Candlelight Church, and the generous individuals who have chosen a paid subscription to Christian Warrior Training. Their support allows me to keep producing multiple resources a week to equip safety ministries like yours. And for that, I’m grateful. If you’ve benefited from this work, and feel led to help others get trained for free, your subscription makes it happen. Ready to Train? ➡️ Register here for the Coeur d’Alene classOnly register if you can attend in person. This class will not be recorded or streamed. Train hard. Lead well. Protect the flock. In His Service,Keith GravesChristian Warrior Training This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.christianwarriortraining.com/subscribe

    1h 9m
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Join Christian Warrior Training for practical insights and training resources on church security. Our articles and videos empower church security teams to better protect their congregations and communities. www.christianwarriortraining.com

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