Securing Sacred Spaces - House of Worship Security Summit

Free in-person summit with church security leaders. Learn about insurance, legal issues, grants & starting a safety team.

About this Event

Securing Sacred Spaces: Church Security Summit

This free, in-person summit hosted by Kingswood Security was planned prior to the tragic events at Annunciation School in Minneapolis. Join security leaders from Eagle Brook Church, River Valley Church, Kingswood Security, and Westwood Community Church for a day of practical training on protecting sacred spaces.

What to Expect:

• 6 expert-led presentations covering:
• Insurance and liability
• Church legal considerations
• Security grants and funding
• Starting and strengthening your safety team

Cost: Free
Format: In-person event

Come learn, connect, and take the next step in securing your ministry.

This free community event is sponsored by

Agenda


🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:00 AM
Registration

🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:10 AM
Conference Welcome

🕑: 08:10 AM - 08:30 AM
Overview of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Host: Simon Osamoh, Founder Kingswood Security

Info: The Nonprofit Security Grant Program allows Minnesota nonprofits to apply for FEMA funding through the state. Organizations with a completed vulnerability assessment can request up to $200,000 for security enhancements.

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:15 AM
How Hennepin County SHIELD Program Empowers Houses of Worship
Host: Sheriff Witt, Hennepin County Sherrif’s Office

Info: Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt will share how the Hennepin County SHIELD program partners with faith communities to protect youth, strengthen trust, and enable timely information sharing. Learn what support looks like in practice, how congregations can engage, what resources are available, and how this collaboration helps safeguard the next generation.

🕑: 09:20 AM - 09:30 AM
BREAK

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Beyond Worship: Managing Everyday Risks in Faith Communities
Host: Wes Pederson, Safety and Security Director, Eagle Brook

Info: Many faith communities focus safety efforts on weekend worship, but risks extend far beyond Sunday. From support groups and recovery programs to community events, challenges can surface any day of the week. In this session, Wes Pederson will highlight overlooked risks and share practical strategies to keep faith communities safe every day.

🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Hard Questions, Higher Stakes: Legal Trends Impacting Faith Communities
Host: Ginny Cronin, Nonprofit Attorney at Law, Michael Best

Info: As safety teams, firearms policies, and staff conduct come under increasing legal scrutiny, houses of worship face new challenges in protecting their ministries. Attorney Ginny Cronin will unpack emerging litigation trends impacting faith communities and share practical steps to reduce risk and strengthen organizational resilience.

🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
BREAK

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Insuring Risk in Houses of Worship: Trends & Liabilities
Host: Tim Roddy, American Church Insurance

Info: As faith communities grow, so do the risks they face from safety team operations and volunteer background checks to liability for injuries on church property. This session will explore current insurance trends and practical steps to help houses of worship protect their people, property, and mission.

🕑: 12:20 PM - 01:15 PM
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

🕑: 01:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Deep Dive: Starting and Sustaining Safety Teams in Houses of Worship
Host: Jason Waage, Security Director, River Valley Church, and

Info: This session offers a deep dive into launching and sustaining a safety team for houses of worship. Covering recruitment, training, best practices, and governance, it provides practical guidance for building a team that protects both people and ministry.

🕑: 03:30 PM
Event Finishes
Host: Simon Osamoh, Kingswood Security

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