70 Christians Beheaded in Church Attack: A Call to Strengthen Church Security

The recent massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 70 Christians were brutally beheaded inside a Protestant church by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants, is a sobering reminder of the growing threats faced by places of worship worldwide. This horrific attack is not an isolated event—it is part of a disturbing trend of increasing violence against places of worship worldwide. Now, more than ever, churches must take security seriously to prevent such atrocities from being replicated elsewhere.

"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." — Romans 12:18

Evil seeks every opportunity to disrupt the faithful, to instill fear, and to deter worship. But faith is not meant to be lived in fear. As followers of Christ, we must balance our calling to peace with the wisdom to protect our congregations. The time has come to fortify our houses of worship—to stand against the darkness and ensure that those who seek God can do so in safety.

Faith, Safety, and Preparedness

At The Safe Sanctuary Initiative, we believe that faith and preparedness go hand in hand. Our mission is to equip churches with the training they need to protect their congregations from threats of violence. Through our Volunteer Security Team Training, Site Security Preparedness, and Medical Trauma Training, we empower faith communities to:

• Assess Risks: Identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

• Implement Security Measures: Strengthen physical defenses through surveillance, controlled access, and emergency planning.

• Train Security Teams: Prepare volunteers to respond effectively in crisis situations, including advanced live-fire threat mitigation training.

• Develop Emergency Protocols: Ensure congregations are ready to respond to active threats, medical emergencies, and evacuations.

• Collaborate with Law Enforcement: Foster partnerships to enhance response capabilities and deterrence.

  
  

Our training is completely free to places of worship, funded through private donations, partnerships with law enforcement, and grant support. We remove financial barriers so that every congregation—large or small—can take proactive steps to enhance security.

A Call to Action

Churches cannot afford to remain unprepared. The threats are real, and the consequences of inaction are too great. Proactive security measures can mean the difference between life and death.

We stand ready to help your congregation take the next step in securing your place of worship. Don’t wait until tragedy strikes—act now to protect your church, your people, and your mission.

Join us in making faith communities safer. Learn more about our training programs today.