Risks on #GivingTuesday

 

Gift card scams are just one type of phishing scam, in the broad umbrella of Business Email Compromise (BEC), that threat actors continue to use in their bag of tricks. And with the holiday season upon us and the spirit of giving running through people, there will undoubtedly be more of these types of threats. Recently a member of the Woodlawn United Church received a plea for gift card donations from the pastor at the church. The text asked for a favor, but unfortunately, they could not talk because they were in a meeting. The text went on and noted that there were individuals in the hospital that the pastor wanted to provide gift cards for. The scammers often use tactics such as creating a sense of urgency. Often, the scammers will tell you which gift card to buy and then ask you for the gift card number and PIN. 

In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to take a step back especially when threat actors are applying pressure, but it is always important to try to take a step back and think about what is being asked. In this instance, would a faith-based leader ask for money in the form of a gift card? Would they reach out over text or ask for personal banking information in such a forum? The answer is usually no. Below are some tips you can use to avoid being scammed. 

 

• Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record in dealing with disasters.
• Contribute by check or credit card. Never give or send cash.
• Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution.

If you have been the target of a scam, please contact us CEN partner: FB-ISAO would like to assess and analyze the potential threats and types of scams that are targeting members of the faith-based community. Write to info@faithbased-isao.org. 

See Chaos Ahead? Be Ready!

Be AWARE! 

As Europe prepares for mob violence, power outages and bank runs Christians worldwide need to Be READY to give an answer for the Hope they have in Jesus Christ!

DHS CISA and FBI issues advisory, “Iranian Government-Sponsored APT Actors Compromise Federal Network, Deploy Crypto Miner, Credential Harvester” which provides information on their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) to help network defenders detect and protect against related compromises. 

• Attacks against churches up 80% in two years

• CA Elementary School Approves Satanic Club

• Christian Persecution up by 6,000 in 18 countries 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12 ESV

Holy Glorious, Worthy Lord and Savior, we treasure this promise in our souls in midst of disappointments, illness, losses, trials of all kinds in all sorts of places.  We grieve to see the righteous persecuted and harassed, ridiculed in the public arena and in some parts of the world losing their lives for Your sake.  LORD we know you also grieve that there are such battles over the best Gift possible, Jesus, our source of eternal life. Yet here we claim and treasure your promise that in Your divine timing, the crown of life awaits those who stand in the test in Your ways and love You!  Selah—we pause and ponder in our Messiah, Jesus the Christ. AMEN

Learn more about these and other threats facing CHRISTIANS, CHURCHES and Christian SCHOOLS around the globe in:

  

CHURCHES

Burglaries, Arson and Violent Attacks on Churches up 80% in two years

Threats made Against Church

Church Daycare Threats

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

SCHOOLS

CA Elementary School to allow after school Satanic Club

ACTIVISM/EXTREMISM

Biblical Marriage under Assault

FBI concerned about Secret Chinese Police Stations in U.S.

Europe Prepares for Mob Violence, Power Outages and Bank Runs

INTERNATIONAL

Maynmar Army Bombs Baptist Seminary

Christian Persecution on the Rise in Africa, MEast by almost 6k in 18 countries

Nine Christians Attacked in India

Join with other Christians facing the extremist persecution and threats to our Christian community today - we are stronger together as a ReadyCity

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 Get READY!

Get your church ready for the uncertainty of our times. Or, start your own home church using ReadyChurch to be spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically ready to stand with the Hope of Christ in the midst of the widespread chaos and uncertainty unfolding around us!

The CEN step-by-step self-directed training guides will help you: find like-minded Christians, assess your capabilities, make a plan, build your team, and respond together sharing the Hope of Christ in ANY crisis.

• Get started by mobilizing your ReadyChristian family first.

• Begin by setting up a ReadyChurch at church or at home. 

• Protect your brothers and sisters community-wide. Go to ReadyCity. 

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS video Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

CEN provides other helpful links to FREE Readiness Resources to prepare your family, church and citywide network. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Be THERE!

Be AWARE, READY and THERE Sharing the Hope of Christ! 

Former Hallmark Star Shares Her Faith in Christ Boldly Amid Backlash 

Jesus film Now Translated into 2000th Languages

CEN ALERTS, Advisories, ACTIVE Threat News, and FAQs provide timely actionable weekly information and threat analysis to help the Christian community to be AWARE - READY and THERE sharing Christ for such a time as this! 

CEN provides consulting, coaching, resources and guidance for Christians while monitoring and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency management 24/7. CEN ATN content contains open source news articles which may or may not be the views held by CEN or may contain errors which are not the responsibility of the CEN.

“Be READY to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within you.” 

I Peter 3:15

When Causes Fail, Share the Gospel!

Be AWARE!

As we see Christian ‘causes’ like pro-life and biblical marriage seeming to lose ground in the U.S. many Christians are turning back to Scripture in sharing the Gospel as the only way to win within increasing threats to religious liberty. 

• Anglican officials in England warn the Church is dying. 

• Texas pastor is charged with sexual abuse as a church volunteer who passed many background checks murders daughter.  

• More than 500 Christian hate crimes in 2021 as Nigeria passes Christian “genocide” while the world remains silent.

DHS CISA and FBI issues advisory, “Iranian Government-Sponsored APT Actors Compromise Federal Network, Deploy Crypto Miner, Credential Harvester” which provides information on their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) to help network defenders detect and protect against related compromises.  

Learn more about these and other threats facing CHRISTIANS, CHURCHES and Christian SCHOOLS around the globe in:

  

CHURCHES

Burglaries, Arson and Violent Attacks on Churches up 80% in two years

KS Church Fire 

TX Church Pastor Charged with Child Porn and Abuse

DHS, FBI Warn of Domestic Terror Threats

Anglicans in England Warn the Church is Dying 

Church Volunteer who Murdered Daughter Passed Background Checks

Syrian Refugee Planning to Bomb Church gets 17 Years

New Orleans Church has Multiple Robberies

CO Church Vandals

Bradford Church Evacuated after Security Threat

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

ACTIVISM/EXTREMISM

Co-worker claims Bible verse is an Attack on her

12 Republican Senators Back Same Sex Marriage 

Religious Liberty Leader gets De-banked

More Than 500 Hate Crimes against European Christians in 2021

INTERNATIONAL

Mayanmar Bombs Seminary Injuring Two Students

Filmmaker says Bible is Mistaken on Homosexuality

Four in Uganda Wounded for telling Muslims about Jesus

Ugandan Christian Poisoned and Beaten

Orissa Christians Struggle to Survive

Indian Christian Children Stopped by Extremists on way to Event

21 Christians Killed by Extremists in Mozambique

Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Nigeria

4000 Christians killed 2300 Abducted in Nigeria in 2022

Religious Persecution in the Ukraine

Climate Activists Smash “Commandment” Tablets at Mt Sinai

Laos Pastor Tortured and Killed

Sikh in India Leads Pastor into Knife Attack

Christians in Nigeria facing Slow Genocide

Christians Grateful Despite Hindu Violence

Join with other Christians facing the extremist persecution and threats to our Christian community today - we are stronger together as a ReadyCity

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20

Lord our faithful God, we treasure this word in our minds and hearts, that today as in Joseph’s time, You can turn what men intended to harm into good for us and for multitudes.  You alone are sovereign, seeing and knowing all times, working in the midst of Your creation, in all our human frailties and limitations. Here we trust You as Joseph learned to when all seemed so hopeless, that You can work miracles and deliver from peril.  Messiah our beloved Savior we live in Your Name AMEN.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 Get READY!

Get your church ready for the uncertainty of our times. Or, start your own home church using ReadyChurch to be spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically ready to stand with the Hope of Christ in the midst of the widespread chaos and uncertainty unfolding around us!

The CEN step-by-step self-directed training guides will help you: find like-minded Christians, assess your capabilities, make a plan, build your team, and respond together sharing the Hope of Christ in ANY crisis.

• Get started by mobilizing your ReadyChristian family first.

• Begin by setting up a ReadyChurch at church or at home. 

• Protect your brothers and sisters community-wide. Go to ReadyCity. 

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS video Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

CEN provides other helpful links to FREE Readiness Resources to prepare your family, church and citywide network. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Be THERE!

Be AWARE, READY and THERE Sharing the Hope of Christ! 

Former Hallmark Star Shares Her Faith in Christ Boldly Amid Backlash 

Jesus film Now Translated into 2000th Languages

CEN ALERTS, Advisories, ACTIVE Threat News, and FAQs provide timely actionable weekly information and threat analysis to help the Christian community to be AWARE - READY and THERE sharing Christ for such a time as this! 

CEN provides consulting, coaching, resources and guidance for Christians while monitoring and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency management 24/7. CEN ATN content contains open source news articles which may or may not be the views held by CEN or may contain errors which are not the responsibility of the CEN.

“Be READY to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within you.” 

I Peter 3:15

It's More than Security!

For many people emergency management is exhilarating. They really like the preparation and thinking ahead. Making contingency plans, specific theme-based passwords to spouses and children, they like the whole bit.  There is a more sobering side to somber of this though, some would even go to saying it is macabre. That, VERY specifically is, what if we truly are cut off from any support, or loved ones, or help of any kind?

Armed Forces specific units deal with this constantly and are thus totally prepared for that eventuality. It is lengthy, arduous, and time consuming. We, as US citizens, and other occupants of this great land, have seldom really had to deal with the threat of war, or attacks on our belief system.

911 brought a serious sobering to our land and now that it is fading into the past and we see people literally want to just erase it from history. Now, we have different threats to our belief system and really to our way of life, in general.  

Does this mean we need more food and water and arms to keep our neighbors out?  Does that mean we should illegally store up various defensive systems that might be questionably legal?  Does this mean we give up and sulk? NO way Christian! We need to be strong in the Lord and in His power, knowing we are not the first Christians to face this.  

In fact, as we draw from our supplies to help others, keeping in mind we need to keep enough for ourselves to survive and continue sharing the Gospel. We have the greatest opportunity to share Christ as people say, “I never thought we would see this!”

Now, how does that act its way out? Go to  ReadyChristian TODAY!

For more information on being prepared including securing your home, business, school, or church contact: 

dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net

Bible Clear to Share Christ Amidst Evil

Be AWARE!

The Bible is clear admonishing Christians to share Hope found in Christ amidst evil. Even as Christians are being killed every two minutes around the globe and the international community largely remains silent, Christians can share Hope. With an 80% rise in church arsons not getting the attention of U.S. officials, Jackson MS put the problem in the national spotlight this week and it was used for political gain not threat mitigation. Yet, we are told to go and make disciples even when:

• Church of England officials reject biblical marriage

• English civil officials make it illegal to pray outside an abortion clinic. 

• DHS Cybersecurity Agency offers software for soft targets like churches 

• Pro-Russian military are shutting down churches. 

• Canadian pastor is hunted down with COVID enforcement helicopter.

Learn more about these and other threats facing CHRISTIANS, CHURCHES and Christian SCHOOLS around the globe:

  

CHURCHES

Burglaries, Arson and Violent Attacks on Churches up 80% in two years

Software Suite for Soft Targets like Churches, Schools, Events

Man Charged in AL Church Attack Fights Mental Health Test

MS Church Arsons gain National Attention 

Suspect Charged with NY Church Vandalism Released

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

ACTIVISM/EXTREMISM

Key Law Enforcement Agencies Corruption Affect on Faith Communities

Boston Agrees to Settlement after Refusing to Fly Christian Flag 

INTERNATIONAL

Opposition to Church Construction in Indonesia

Islamist Extremists Kill 15 Christians in Nigeria

Christian Evangelist Attacked for Preaching to Muslims in Uganda

Christians Beaten, Lose Homes in Kenya

Evangelical CEO Ousted over Church Membership in Australian Football 

Indian Pastor Slashed with Knives after Sharing Gospel

Church of England Officials Reject Biblical Marriage Teaching

Burmese Army Bombs Christian Seminary Students

Christian Killed every Two Minutes SBC “Pray for Persecuted Church”

Pro Russian Military Shutting Down Churches

Canadian Pastor Hunted down with COVID helicopter

Praying Outside an Abortion Clinic in England now Illegal

Chinese Religious groups Pledge to Follow Communist Party

Christian Aid worker Killed in Iraq by Iran

Join with other Christians facing the extremist persecution and threats to our Christian community today - we are stronger together as a ReadyCity

 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I  have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20

LORD our God and Father we thank You for all of Your Word and how You teach and guide us through it and by Your Holy Spirit with us.  LORD this passage at the end of Matthew’s account gives us clear instructions about reaching out to the spiritually lost with Gospel, the Good News of Risen Jesus, baptism and keeping Your Word; serving You by intentionally, faithfully sharing You, to reach the whole world.  LORD, gracious and faithful Father, we take great hope in Your promise to be with us until this age is concluded.”  We are never alone as we can always access You through Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Thank you for the peace Your presence brings. AMEN

____________________________________________________________________________

 Get READY!

Start your own home church using ReadyChurch to be spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically ready to stand with the Hope of Christ in the midst of the widespread chaos and uncertainty unfolding around us!

The CEN step-by-step self-directed training guides will help you: find like-minded Christians, assess your capabilities, make a plan, build your team, and respond together sharing the Hope of Christ in ANY crisis.

• Get started by mobilizing your ReadyChristian family first.

• Begin by setting up a ReadyChurch at church or at home. 

• Protect your brothers and sisters community-wide. Go to ReadyCity. 

Have a church response plan for a possible violent attack to empower your congregants to observe and report concerning behaviors and help your leaders become proficient in de-escalation of various security concerns. Watch the CPPS video Safe Church Program. For more information contact: dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

CEN provides other helpful links to FREE Readiness Resources to prepare your family, church and citywide network. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Be THERE!

Be AWARE, READY and THERE Sharing the Hope of Christ! 

Bible Clear to Share Christ Amidst Evil

CEN ALERTS, Advisories, ACTIVE Threat News, and FAQs provide timely actionable weekly information and threat analysis to help the Christian community to be AWARE - READY and THERE sharing Christ for such a time as this! 

CEN provides consulting, coaching, resources and guidance for Christians while monitoring and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency management 24/7. CEN ATN content contains open source news articles which may or may not be the views held by CEN or may contain errors which are not the responsibility of the CEN.

“Be READY to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within you.” 

I Peter 3:15