2024 Annual Church Safety Conference

Looking for ways to help keep your church or organization safe in both daily activities and emergency situations? Our annual Church Safety Conference provides hands-on training from building safety to de-escalation tactics to legal liabilities.

Our 2024 keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and breakout sessions have been finalized. Information regarding our keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and session instructors can be found below.

**Due to the ever-increasing size and popularity of the event, some classes will be held at an alternate location to provide the best environment for the training.

Featured Speaker

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.

Col. Grossman is a former West Point psychology professor, Professor of Military Science, and an Army Ranger who has combined his experiences to become the founder of a new field of scientific endeavor, which has been termed “killology.” In this new field Col. Grossman has made revolutionary new contributions to our understanding of killing in war, the psychological costs of war, the root causes of the current “virus” of violent crime that is raging around the world, and the process of healing the victims of violence, in war and peace.

Breakout Sessions

AVERT: Active Violence Emergency Response Training

Instructors: John Brandow and Jason Mishler 

AVERT stands for Active Violence Emergency Response Training. It combines both topics of active shooters and Stop the Bleed. Active violence incidents can happen anywhere, from office settings and healthcare facilities to schools, sporting venues and places of worship. AVERT training helps businesses and institutions with having trained responders to help put emergency action plans into place. Teens ages 15 and up are encouraged to attend these sessions.  

John Brandow

John is an eleven-year member of the Barry County Sheriff’s Posse and is currently in his fourth year as Second Lieutenant. He is a Rescue Task Force instructor for the 5th District Regional Homeland Security Board and the Medical Response Coalition group. John has provided personal and event security for a Grammy Award winning international musician, speakers and a former gubernatorial candidate.  He enjoys helping churches set up and build their safety team. He currently serves on and helps lead his church’s safety team. John is a certified AVERT instructor.  

Jason Mishler

Jason has worked at Bradford White for twelve years, so he is no stranger to the area. Before that, he served in the Army as part of the Military Police for ten years. He’s been a part of the Barry County Sheriff Posse for six years and has served as the First Lieutenant for two. Jason also works as a Rescue Task Force instructor for the 5th district region and is a MCRGO certified CPL instructor. He recently started his own business, On Target & Safety Training. Jason has been a certified AVERT instructor for three years. 

First Aid

Instructor: Tom Conrad 

This first aid course will include hands-on manikin training for adult CPR along with AED use and practice. If you wish to receive a certification card, please indicate interest when signing up as there is an online portion to be completed and an additional fee. 

Tom Conrad

Thomas Conrad, Tom is preferred, is a forty plus year veteran of law enforcement and security operations. He has experience as a police officer, police administrator, volunteer fireman / EMT. He led security operations for a large metropolitan hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as other elements of security and safety operations for a variety of venues. 

Tom volunteers his time as a church security team member. He has engaged in assisting other houses of worship in developing their teams in providing a safety and security environment that minimizes threats and risks to people attending services and functions. Every ministry faces risks, and through assessments and audits, risks can be minimized thereby aiding in Ministry mission and vision achievement. 

He has taught a variety of classes at the college level and engages regularly in developing skills in basic CPR, AED, and first aid. He is active in developing classes for those persons desiring perspective on firearms and their function in houses of worship and other places. He is a recognized instructor with the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, NRA and other organizations. 

He has a BS in Business Management Administration from Ferris State University, graduate classes in human resources development from the University of Wisconsin system and Ferris State University. He has completed training in law enforcement leadership from the University of Wisconsin. He was a certified police officer in both Wisconsin and in Michigan. 

Moral Use of Deadly Force

Instructor: Skip Coryell 

If you are considering carrying a gun or joining an armed church safety team, then, this is the class for you. You should not go into the job lightly, as there are many things to consider.  

• Do you want to carry a gun? It’s a nuisance, a total life change and a bona fide pain in the butt. Carrying a gun dictates every facet of your life: how you treat others, what you wear, how you talk and how you walk. It’s not for everyone.  
• Are you willing to die to protect the ones you love? How about strangers? Will you die to protect someone you haven’t even met yet.   
• Are you willing to spend lots of time and money on training and equipment? Less than one percent of the concealed carry population ever go on to take training that is not required by the government. That statistic should scare you.  

Buying a gun doesn’t make you a gun fighter any more than buying a guitar makes you a rock star. We are called by God to excellence in everything we do. The gun is a powerful tool. The sacrifice you make could be supreme. It is a life-or-death decision. Knowing the laws of deadly force isn’t enough. It’s just the beginning. 

This class is designed to help you decide whether you should carry a gun and also to empower and encourage Christians who decide to carry concealed. You’ll receive a free copy of the instructor’s book “Concealed Carry of Christians as part of the class.  

Skip Coryell

Skip Coryell lives with his wife and children in Michigan. He works full time as a professional writer and a concealed carry instructor. Skip is the author of 21 books, includingCivilian Combat: The Concealed Carry Book as well as Concealed Carry for Christians and his latest release Self Defense Scenarios: Living in a Dangerous World.  He is an avid hunter and sportsman, a Marine Corps veteran, and a graduate of Cornerstone University. You can listen to Skip as he co-hosts the syndicated military talk radio show Frontlines of Freedom on frontlinesoffreedom.com. You can also hear his weekly podcast The Home Defense Show at homedefenseshow.com.  

Integrated Dynamic Response Training: Assault Prevention & Response for Security

Instructor: Craig Gray 

An Israeli Perspective to the Approach, Interview & Engagement 

This class will introduce the Integrated Dynamic Response System (IDR) which begins with clarifying the Protector Mindset and go on to teach how effective assessment, influence and (physical) engagement skills all come together during an interaction. The participant will learn both individual and team engagements spanning a spectrum of encounters.   

The session will also introduce specific physical defensive tactics including:  

• The Proper Approach  
• Proxemics  
• Stance and Movement 
• Escort Portions (solo & team)  
• Physical Separations  
• Weapon Retention 
• Assault Response 

Craig Gray

Craig Gray has over 35 years experience in security services, martial arts and defensive tactics. He holds black belts and advanced instructor certifications in several martial arts and tactical communication systems, including Krav Maga, 

Budo Taijutsu and VDI Verbal Defense & Influence. For decades he has been hired to teach numerous police departments, military personnel, security teams, churches, hospitals and schools. He is one of the founding instructors of RGI, the team who was contracted to re-train the entire Camden New Jersey police department on their current community policing protocol. Craig owns and operates a local Krav Maga Academy and is the founder of PeaceWalker.net, an on-line learning center teaching leadership, conflict management, and defensive tactics. His unique approach helps people to develop a Protectors Lifestyle, enhancing every aspect of one’s personal and professional life. 

https://www.roninkravmaga.org/

It’s Not About Fire Anymore: Life Safety Awareness in a Troubling Time

Instructor: Ted Jensen 

In this open forum we will discuss topics designed to heighten your awareness to issues and situations that could affect the safety and wellbeing of the people you serve at home and in your church family. 

Ted Jensen 

Ted is an award-winning speaker, public educator, and 28-year veteran inspector for the Grand Rapids Fire Department’s Prevention Bureau.  He has received the Fire Department’s Medal of Merit and a Medal of Commendation for reaching the public through a wide variety of safety messaging.  He has also earned the IAFF Media award for a one-time project, the Public Educator of the Year Award from the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, and a special tribute recognition from the State of Michigan.  Ted’s passion is designing and presenting educational programs on public safety for community groups, students, and businesses such as Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, Illinois Fire Inspectors Association, West Michigan Building Inspectors Association, ArtPrize, The Grand Rapids Bar and Restaurant Association, Calvin College, Michigan State University, Ferris State University, and several other organizations concerned with the public’s safety. Ted is a Past President of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, Pervious Chairman of Michigan Fire Inspectors Society’s Public Education Committee, and a member of the Michigan Sprinkler Coalition, Ted uses these platforms to raise awareness and reduce or eliminate predictable, preventable injuries and deaths affecting people throughout the nation. 

Not Being a Victim

Instructor: Reggie Macon 

This class will cover aspects of what makes people victims, things predators look for when seeking out a victim, and situational awareness. There will also be hands-on training for basic strikes and different ways to escape if grabbed. Questions are welcome both during and after the session. 

Reggie Macon

My name is Reggie Macon. I’m the owner and head coach/instructor of Battle Ground JKD LLC. A husband for 12 years, and father of 3 beautiful kids. I started my martial arts journey in 2008 under the instruction of Sifu Louis Martinez in Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee’s martial arts. Also learning other disciplines and fighting styles, like Savate (French kickboxing), Panatukan (Filipino dirty boxing), Kali (Filipino stick fighting), and boxing. I started Battle Ground JKD LLC in 2021 because of the passion I have to teach our kids and women how to protect themselves. With all the crazy things happening in the world, I feel it’s my purpose to educate those around me and the ones willing to learn some self defense to make it back home. 

Lethal Force and the Law: What You Need to Know

Instructor: Jim Makowski 

This class will focus on laws regarding the appropriate use of deadly force in self-defense and how to conduct yourself and interact with the police in the aftermath of a self-defense incident. 

Jim Makowski

Jim Makowski graduated from the University of Michigan – Dearborn in 1995 with an A.B. in Political Science. Jim continued his education at the University of Detroit – Mercy Law and graduated with a J.D. in 1999. Jim is currently a Senior Litigator at Kirsch Daskas PLLC in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His firm specializes in criminal defense with an emphasis on firearms law, more specifically on self-defense. He developed the Concealed Pistol License legal training curriculum for the United States Concealed Carry Association and serves on its Critical Response Team. 

Mr. Makowski is frequently a guest on various media outlets, both locally and nationally, regarding legal issues relating to firearms. He also serves as Corporation Counsel for Michigan Gun Owners Inc., as well as a legal advisor to Michigan Open Carry, Inc.

Response to an Active Shooter

Instructor: Victor Pierce 

This class focuses on church members and/or teams learning tactical operations for addressing a valid deadly force encounter. Training will also entail hands-on room and hallway clearing techniques. Training equipment is provided for this class. 

Victor Pierce

Victor Pierce has nearly 42 years of Law Enforcement experience, consisting of 30 years with Battle Creek Police Department (Retired as Sergeant), 4 ½ years with Barry Township (Chief) and 5 years with Emmett Township Department of Public Safety. 16 of those years have included Supervisory Experience, including 4 ½ years serving as Chief of Police in Barry Township. Victor has also been an Adjunct Police Academy Instructor with Kellogg Community College, teaching new recruits. In his professional career, he has served on both the Battle Creek Police Departments Tactical Team ERT as well as Barry County Sheriff Department SRT Team. He has been a Training Instructor, teaching various facets of Law Enforcement some of which includes Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Preparation for Active Shooter, Police Reserve Academy. He has been a School Safety Officer, Crime Prevention Officer, Forensic Crime Lab Supervisor and a Detective working Special Investigations. Victor’s current assignment is that of a School Resource Officer in Emmett Twp. Victor has also been involved in teaching the importance Church Security and Safety and has been an active Security member for his local church at Woodland Church in Battle Creek MI.  

Basic Conflict De-escalation With A Ministry Mindset

Instructor: John Riley 

Students will learn about their God given ACE card for effective and successful conflict de-escalation, and then practice playing their ACE in dynamic, realistic scenarios that are common in churches such as an angry person in the front office. Scenarios are NOT done in front of the class like a theater show but are one-on-one with instructor/role players. Students will end the day with more knowledge, skills and self confidence. 

John Riley

John Riley is the Founder/President of GENTLE RESPONSE, a consulting company specializing in very dynamic, realistic conflict de-escalation training seminars.  A US Army Veteran and retired 20-year law enforcement officer with Grand Rapids Michigan Police Department, John is also a Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist. He and his team help businesses, corporations, non-profits, churches, and others, develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent volatile situations from becoming critically violent incidents. A highly sought-after trainer and speaker, John has successfully trained many, many church safety and security teams. His curriculum along with positive reinforcement guides individuals to a better understanding and practical application of de-escalation concepts and techniques. 

In a critical time of heightened emotions and concerns, John offers clear direction to interact with others in a God-honoring way, reducing stress and potential conflict.   

http://gentle-response.com/