Every week I see crimes take place in churches throughout the country, crimes that could have easily been prevented.

What are more disturbing are the excuses that seem to come after almost every incident.

I am so tired of hearing leaders of churches state "We didn't think it could happen here" or "I can't believe this would happen in a church".

We have now hit 900 criminal incidents this year against Christian organizations; the vast majority were churches, with 33 violent incidents, 8 resulting in deaths, and losses over $20 million. And as we have stated before, CSN estimates are very conservative, the true numbers are much higher.

With over 300,00 Christian organizations in the U.S., CSN, other security professionals and groups, and law enforcement officials can lecture from now until the time that the Lord calls us home and we will never make a dent in this problem.

When are YOU going to demand action be taken?

I won't attend a church unless they have an active security and emergency program in place; it would be hypocritical for me to do so.

But why are you?

Why would you place your safety at risk?

Why would you place the safety of your loved ones at risk?

Why would you continue to tithe to a church that is sloppy with protecting the gifts that God has given them?

I am sorry, I can't do it.

Things are not getting better out there folks. There are risks that every single church in this country faces - no one church is immune.

And I'll tell you how ignorant many church leaders are about these threats.

I have approached two specific churches this year in my area and offered CSN services for FREE because when I visited them the Holy Spirit moved me to offer help. And you know what, they declined the help. I have read in the news over the last few months that both of these churches have been victims of crimes, luckily with no loss of life.

When the Holy Spirit speaks, you better listen.

Another example of ignorance is at the beginning of this year, CSN offered 100 churches FREE subscriptions to our website. One accepted - one church.

There is only so much we can do. We cannot make the Christian community safer. But YOU can.

Just as we are seeing people rallying against what they feel is the wrong direction our government is taking, there needs to be that kind of movement in this area of protecting the church...it is your church, it is all of our churches.

I see very few people "mobilizing", getting the message out there, and taking action.

Our newsletter is an example of you not taking action.

CSN offers it for free.

The newsletter takes a lot of time and effort into putting together as a useful tool for the Christian community every week.

This is a FREE tool that you should be telling every Christian you know that they have to start reading it - Pastors, Deacons, Elders, Police, Fire and EMS personnel.

But how many people forward this on and encourage fellow Christians to sign up?

I can tell you very few.

I was encouraged this past week that the head of one of the smaller Baptist conferences told me that he forwarded the newsletter to his colleagues around the country in hopes that they will send it to the Pastors in their areas. But he is the exception to the rule. Most read this and tuck it away, most but not all.

One reader asked us a couple of weeks ago if he could reproduce one of our articles from the newsletter to give to every one of his church's pastor and leaders.

YES, this is what we want you to do. Bring this to your church leaders. If they don't understand risks, security and what in means to incorporate this into the Christian church, help them understand.

Get others in your church involved. Demand it. It is your safety. It is your church.

We have said this over and over again, being informed is the first step in being prepared.

We will give you the tools, but YOU have to start the movement in your church and your community.

The safety of our country will only take place when every citizen takes individual responsibility for his or her own safety.

We are here to help, but the rest is up to you - every one of you.

In Christ,
Jeff Hawkins
Executive Director