See our interview with Pastor Carl Gallups of PPSIMMONS concerning security measures at his Florida Church. (Below the article intro).
The number of deadly episodes at sanctuaries has soared over the last decade, and mass shootings at schools, malls and movie theaters have left Americans feeling like it could happen anywhere.
VIERA, Fla. -- It is Sunday and 36-year-old Julie Robinson is keeping an eye on her children as they play and sing near the front of the sanctuary stage at Freedom Christian Center.
The mother of four is not the only one watching. Quietly standing in the back of the hall is Jeffery Gilchriest.
As dozens of congregants lift their hands in prayer, preparing for the week's message from the pulpit, Gilchriest's eyes are alert, darting across the spacious worship hall.
A white, coiled microphone wire ripples from his ear to help him communicate with ushers and plainclothes security personnel.
Their mission: Protecting the flock by being ready for the worst.
"This is the norm in our world's culture and there's a need for security wherever we go nowadays," said Gilchriest, who oversees security efforts at Freedom Christian and also is the CEO of Opaque Security, an international company that trains churches and synagogues to protect congregations. "We need to be prepared."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/07/churches-boost-security-as-violent-incidents-grow/2495241/
Interview with Florida Pastor Carl Gallups of PPSIMMONS News and Ministry
PPSIMMONS: This article is about churches in Florida that are taking tougher measures in providing security for its congregation. You are the pastor of a large church in Florida. What measures does your church take?
CARL G: Yes, we do have an extensive security network. We actually have a designated security team. Of course, I cannot reveal everything we do at our church in an internet article, but I can tell you that we have a large team of plain-clothes security volunteers who are on constant patrol and constant vigil for anything odd. We have security cameras inside and outside our facilities. We patrol the parking lots, empty building spaces, and other high-risk areas during all church activity times. We use personal communication technology and vehicles while doing some of our patrols.
PPSIMMONS: Do you use armed personnel on your church campus?
CARL G: Yes, again, I cannot give the exact details but I can tell you that we have several law enforcement officers who are members of our congregation. They are armed whether in uniform or not. We have several who will come to church in their uniforms and marked patrol cars with permission of their departments. Additionally, Florida is a concealed carry state. Many of our congregants are carrying legally concealed weapons and have had the mandatory state training to do so. Let me just say - we have plenty of legally armed people who are continually keeping watch over the congregation. We take other security measures that I will leave unsaid in this article. Suffice it to say - we take the security of our families and children very seriously.
PPSIMMONS: Do you personally carry a concealed firearm?
CARL G: I often do, yes. Remember, I spent a little over 10 years in the field of Florida law enforcement. I started when I was 18 years old. I was a deputy sheriff under three different sheriffs in two different sheriff's offices. I actually taught firearms training in the Florida Police Training Academy for a term. I have been carrying firearms since I was a young man. It is a very natural thing for me. I have no qualms about it whatsoever. It's like putting on a wristwatch or sliding a wallet into my pocket.
PPSIMMONS: Do you carry when you are at church?
CARL G: Let me just say this - I am seldom without a firearm. Again, for me - it is a natural thing to do. I honor the second amendment for everyone. I encourage citizens of Florida and my church members to comply with the law and then secure a conceal carry permit. I do not necessarily encourage them to bring their weapon to church - but I do not prohibit it either. It is their right to do so. As long as they obey the law in their carry technique, I support their right to do so.
PPSIMMONS: Do you think having so many armed people in your church makes it a safer place?
CARL G: Theoretically - yes, it does. However, simply having a gun does not guarantee one's safety or that their life will be spared in the case of an unexpected attack. What it does do, however, is that it gives the victim a chance - a good chance to come out of an attack alive. The criminal will always be armed. They don't care about any law that is passed. No gun control law affects a criminal.
A criminal loves to be in a place where their chance for survival is greater. Most criminals are cowards at heart.
A criminal or terrorist coming to our church with plans to do harm would be in for a big and unpleasant surprise. Innocent congregants feel very safe at our church. I might add. Other than seeing some people patrolling around the church, or perhaps observing a uniformed and armed Florida law enforcement officer on the campus, no one would ever know just how secure our church is. We do not flaunt it. When people to come to church with us - they have a wonderful worship and discipleship experience. That is what we are here for. The security we implement is just something that is our right and more importantly - our responsibility to do - so we do it.
PPSIMMONS: What do you say to people who say "you should just trust the Lord - it is ungodly to carry a gun?"
CARL G: First, I respect their conscience and their right to hold that view. I would ask them, however: Do you wear a seat-belt? Do you wash your hands before you eat? Do you want your doctor to wash his hands before performing surgery upon you or your loved ones? Do you take vitamins? Do you exercise? Most likely the answer to all of these is YES for most people. I could ask: Do you not trust the Lord for your car safety, your health, protection from germs, etc? You see, of course my ultimate trust is in the Lord. I travel all over the country and all over the world in my ministry endeavors. There are many occasions that I cannot carry a weapon on my person. However, on those occasions when I can lawfully do so, I "put on my seat-belt, take a vitamin, exercise, wash my hands," so to speak. In other words, I take responsibility for my safety and of those around me - I use the brains that God gave me. Even Jesus instructed his disciples to "purchase a sword." He meant that literally. They were living in dangerous times. We are too.
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Guns are also very useful if an Alligator Strolls in to Church!
ReplyDeleteHA! Yes! I think Pastor Carl has had to deal with a few "gators" down there in Florida! I mean the crawly kind - not the football team! ;-)
ReplyDelete