Why So Many Church Attacks?

 As a Christian first responder and in my expertise as a Public Information Officer for the Christian Emergency Network, I am always vigilant to watch for emerging trends as it relates to protecting the body of Christ!  

One alarming trend is the massive increase in attacks on Churches this year. There are a number of factors that may have contributed to the increase in attacks on churches. One reason is the political and social polarization being experienced in many parts of the world. Churches have traditionally been seen as places of refuge and safety, yet they may have become targets for those seeking to make a statement or to express their anger or frustration about a particular cultural or legal issue such as pro-life protests getting out of control.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role, as churches have become identified as possible locations for the spread of the virus. This has led to tension between civil and legal authorities and church leaders. In some cases, this tension may have provoked violent responses.

Finally, religious extremism and terrorism are always a concern, fueled on the dark web, by groups or individuals who are seeing attacking churches as a means to advance their agendas or to incite fear in the population.

Read more about Increased Attacks on Churches and how you can become a ReadyChurch prepared to respond spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically to any crisis large or small. 

Christian Emergency Network’s seasoned Christian experts are standing by ready to help you prepare yourself and your church to be aware of threats and risks while giving Hope in the midst of these uncertain times. 

To Contact CEN John Phelps, who will help you learn how to communicate both internally with your congregation or with national media outlets in a time of crisis, and to learn how to form and train a crisis response team or conduct a threat/risk assessment  go to: www.christianemergencynetwork.org

URGENT: Are You a ReadySchool?

Lessons Learned from the Covenant School Active Shooting in Nashville, TN March 27, 2023

READY CHECKLIST:

• Is your school READY to respond to a school shooting incident? 

• Is your school READY to respond to ANY crisis? 

• Is your school AWARE of the many crises that could possibly occur? 

• Will your school staff (teachers, bus drivers, custodians, office personnel, as well as administrators) be THERE and able to respond to any crisis with the Hope of Christ as well as responding to the immediate emergency? 

• Do you have a copy of CEN’s  ReadySchool training specifically designed for Christian Schools?

Former Elementary Principal, High School Principal, Parent, Human Being, and CEN Institute Principal and ReadySchool Consultant Audrey Burgher agree: “As a Christian, stories like the Nashville School Shooting are ones we dread to see! We know that we are not alone in this dread. We believe CEN’s ReadySchool training will help Christian schools better prepare to respond in a situation like the Covenant School in Nashville.” 

CEN Founder and President Mary Marr, and CEN Institute Principal and Consultant Audrey Burgher, both educators, have co-authored the ReadySchool training to be compatible with CEN’s ReadyChristian, ReadyChurch, and ReadyCity, to address emergency preparedness specifically for Christian Schools. Many public schools will find the ReadySchool training helpful as well, because the self-study training provides a step-by-step process for preparing schools for ANY type of emergency. 

Training includes easy-to-use handouts and forms for creating the following:

• Emergency Operations Plan

• School Continuity Plan

• Emergency Operations Center Plan

• Emergency Response Plan 

All planning is compatible with the Incident Command Structure used by emergency management and law enforcement. Also, you will learn strategies for answering the most often asked question after a tragedy: “Where is God in this?” Learn the importance of utilizing the PRAY, CARE, SHARE approach to ensure you are sharing the Hope of Christ in any emergency situation.

Don’t Wait until another incident - ReadySchool is available now! 

As more information is revealed in the Nashville shooting, we find, in addition to the three children who were killed, three adults were also killed as well as the shooter. The interplay of evil versus good is a stark reminder that we do, indeed, live in a fallen world. Please join us in praying for the community in Nashville and the entire Covenant Presbyterian Church and School family as they deal with this tragedy.

For more information on ReadySchool training and consulting CONTACT:

 Audrey A. Burgher

CEN Institute, Principal

audrey.burgher@christianemergencynetwork.net

Bright Light in the Midst of Chaos!

With Cancellations, Travel Delays, and Power Outages bringing Chaos to the U.S. this Christmas week the Bright Light of Christ Shines Ever Greater!

A snowy Christmas may sound great in songs and for those already in a warm cabin, but the weather extremes all hitting different parts of the U.S. at the same time right now are set to put a serious curb on holiday travel plans.

In fact, the "get home by any means" experience that was forever memorialized in the 1987 movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is already becoming a lot of people's reality this weekend. Record-low temperatures have left over one million in the Northeast without power while separate snowstorms have also hit the West Coast andTexas.

As of 4pm on Friday December 23, over 7,500 fights within, into or out of the U.S. have been canceled due to adverse weather. A further 6,500 have been delayed and may be canceled still -- the numbers climb higher every time one refreshes the page. 

While we watch and pray for the those who are without power to have a warm shelter, food and water within this storm we also have the opportunity as believers to ask God for a Miracle. When we pray to the God of the Universe for things that seem impossible, it is the perfect opportunity for Him to make miracles happen!

LET’S PRAY AND BELIEVE GOD FOR A MIRACLE!

Be strong and courageous, Fear not; be not dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you until you have finished the work for the service of the Lord. 

1 Chronicles 28:20 

Father, we are asking and believing you to show Yourself at work in a way that puts everyone in awe of who You are and Your love. You know every detail of each of our lives. Move in this storm we pray, as we are watching with thankful hearts, to see miracles this Christmas! We ask that many lives will be touched for the Glory of your Name. AMEN

Rev Lois Blei

CEN PRAYER DEPUTY

520-404-1014

lois.blei@christianemergencynetwork.net

Have a Blessed Christmas!

 

Praying You Will Have a Blessed Christmas! 

Your CEN National Team is praying for you along with those whom you are praying for this Christmas. We are praying the precious souls God has placed upon your heart, will come to know Jesus as the Messiah, the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace AND our Risen Lord and Savior this coming year as a direct result of your faithfully sharing the Good News!

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Isaiah 9:6

Gracious, Glorious, Mighty, Wonderful Father and God in the Prince of Peace we come again in devotion of You! May the world open its eyes to salvation, free for all through Yeshua, Emmanuel, our Advocate and King. LORD let the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and be reconciled to You through Jesus Your Only begotten Son. Jesus declares in Revelations 22 that he is coming soon! LORD, we ask for souls to be saved this season in multitudes upon multitudes.  AMEN

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

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. 

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

AFTER Math can be worse than Math!

As Florida braces once again to survive another storm off the eastern coastline we are reminded natural disasters are never fun. These are 'unexpected crises' even though we tend to know the season, we don't always know the actual dates or location of landfall nor the scope. The aftermath of landfall is never easy for those in its path.

Regardless of the crisis situation, whether it is man-made or natural disaster, your routine is interrupted indefinitely and you may not know what you will come home to. Other people around you are in the same situation. Nerves can become raw as sandpaper. The cost of rebuilding and recovery from storm damage as well as protecting your property from looting may be overwhelming.

If there is ever a time to understand situational “De-escalation” it is when you now realize your well meaning neighbors may not be who you thought they were!  A calm word can turn away wrath! Your staying in control of yourself is the biggest key. The only person you can control in a heated confrontation is yourself!  How do we "De-Escalate" any heated situation?

Contact CEN National Security Officer Dan Graeber for more information on 

“De-Escalation” dan.graeber@christianemergencynetwork.net 

Any Security-Minded person or those who have responsibility for others, especially those who are Safety and Security officers professionally or voluntarily, should know the value of good de-escalation practices. At the top of the list is - Be encouraging one to another!  Reach out to help your brother and sister and ease their burden.

“Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble], But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].

Proverbs 29:8

CEN offers a Flash Point De-Escalation and Prevention video from Center for Personal Protection and Safety. It is part of the  ReadyChristian training!  It covers how to deal with heated encounters very well. Here is a Preview:  

REMINDER:

Being involved with a ReadyChurch either in your home or off site will enable you to be supportive of like-minded people to increase your own readiness - physically, mentally, and Spiritually! 

Thank YOU Christian Tech Center!

 CEN would like to thank our great partner Christian Tech Center and Andre personally for providing three laptop computers for use on our CEN Hurricane Ian Response. These devices will be used by the Inspiritus and CEN ReadyFlorida ministry volunteers to enter assessments, work orders, and volunteer management. 

Please pray about volunteering to help the response  effort and become a ReadyChristian to be prepared yourself for the next emergency. Contact CEN ReadyFL to volunteer TODAY!

Meet Andre Klass Founder Christian Tech Center and Joseph Sheppard CEN Ready Florida as they set up for operations in the most hard hit area of Fort Myers, FL. 

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian regiment. He and all his family were devout and God fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10:1-2

Christian Volunteers NEEDED!

CEN’s ReadyFL is looking for volunteers to assist various partner response organizations in the Fort Myers, FL area. 

 

If you would be available for a week or more and would like to help with recovery efforts, please fill out this ReadyFL Hurricane Ian Form and someone from our CEN volunteer team will get back to you.

 

We are especially looking for those to help with home clean out. Our partner organization will provide basic shelter, training, and food. A typical assignment may last 7-14days, but our partner organization will accept weekends and short stays. CEN is looking for volunteers that are physically able to clean out flooded homes. Please call or text us at 321-358-1900 or click here 

ReadyFL Hurricane Ian Volunteer Form

 

As you pray about volunteering keep in mind volunteers will work long days, and this is hard work but very rewarding. The average day starts with breakfast at 6am and ends with dinner at 6pm. Sleeping accommodations will be an air mattress or cot in a safe air conditioned church with shower access.

 

If you have any Volunteer Questions please call CEN’s ReadyFL Public Information Officer David Craig  1-321-358-1900

 

If you are a CEN ReadyChurch or would like to “Adopt the Ft Myers Anthem Church”, site to the CEN response in the hardest hit area, please CONTACTUs and our National team will get back to you. 

 

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31

 

Let’s PRAY!

Father, are you asking me to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this crisis? Will you help me to be stirred by the awareness of the pain and needs that are surfacing in Ft Myers, FL and the fact that every living person is created by You and each is precious in His sight? Will you help me to bridge any economic, social or racial barriers to my witness of You in this crisis response whether on site in Ft Myers FL or with any You bring on my path?

Disaster Scams

CEN partner Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization filed this very timely important report: 

With Hurricane Ian making landfall on the Florida coast as a major hurricane, there is expected to be weeks, and likely months, of recovery efforts ahead for individuals and organizations. Based on historical precedent, the damage will be extensive. And for all the help that will come out as part of the recovery, there will also come those looking to exploit the disaster and both those who have been most impacted and those seeking to help.

These scams are so prevalent that many groups have published warnings to include:

• SANS OUCH! Newsletter: Charity & Disaster Scams
• FEMA: Survivors Beware! Scams, Price-Gouging Flourish After Disasters
• Federal Communications Commission: After Storms, Watch Out for Scams

Below are some things you can do to avoid being the victim of a disaster scam when donating and providing support in the aftermath of a disaster.

• Always verify a charity's legitimacy through its official website.
• Verify information in social media posts. 
• If contacted by phone, verify phone number before calling back.
• Do not open attachments or click on links.  

The Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO) released a security advisory on the topic of disaster scams. The advisory was distributed to members. Membership information is available here.  

Mayya Saab

FB-ISAO

Here's how to Help Hurricane Survivors NOW

CEN ReadyFL Public Information Officer David Craig, a seasoned and well trained first responder, is on the ground in Florida responding to the many communications issues being faced by emergency management, businesses, and residences. Here is what he is witnessing and recommending we all do.

Hurricane Ian is a great reminder that we all need to be a ReadyChristian. As we see destruction and loss,  we also get to see neighbors helping neighbors. Let’s PRAY, CARE, and SHARE the Hope we have in Jesus!

What does it mean to be a ReadyChristian?

• Be AWARE and READY yourself to survive for at least a week or so on your own.

• Be READY  to help a neighbor.

• Encourage one another to come together as the body of Christ.

• Be THERE by praying, caring and sharing the Gospel with the helpless and hopeless

In Florida we are seeing our communities coming together! As Volunteers are pouring in from every State they are challenged to support those who have lost so much but those with  power and water are opening their homes for responders to shower and charge their devices for communications with loved ones and need response. We have seen people thanking and feeding  utility workers and responders which has been a blessing to all of those working tirelessly to bring much needed help. 

What should you do if you are in “ground zero” of the devastation?

• Minimize use of water and waste

• Be patient when trying to call out or txt

• If traveling fill up when at half tank you will find gas but it may take a few stops 

• Help a neighbor 

• Keep charging phones when in cars or have access to power

• Get a small amount of cash for stores that don’t have credit card processing up

• Keep in mind even if you have power be prepared for short outages of water and food and prepare 

What can you do right now to be THERE, even if you are not there?

• Check on that neighbor if you can safely

• Check in with family and friends to let them know you are praying for them and are willing to help

• Thank your local responders who may not be in FLA but are serving you

What can you do right now if you are close to the devastation?

• Help move debris to the curb

• Keep some water in your car to hand out to those around you

• Thank a responder / utility worker or give them a cold water or just them a thumbs up

• Offer to help neighbors that are not as fortunate as you

• Don’t wait for responders unless the situation is beyond your capabilities 

• Volunteer if you can 

• Contact your local church or CEN for volunteer opportunities

While it is important to be on the front caring for people in this disaster, remember God’s CO MISSION is to  Pray, Care, Share the Hope found only in Jesus Christ! So when the 90% ask Where is God in this, YOU will be THERE to care for them and  tell them. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the HIGHEST shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,  "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in HIM I will trust" Psalm 91 1-2 

Let’s Pray!

Lord Most High, please keep the men and women of rescue operations safe and under your loving protection as they emerge into the areas hardest hit by HURRICANE IAN. Keep them safely hidden under your arms of protection, helping all involved in this emergency response to extend Your wisdom, grace, love and mercy in each and every situation, as they are sheltered in that secret place of trusting in You alone. In Jesus Precious name, Amen