Blog - SemperVerus

SemperVerus Named In Top 50 of Feedspot’s List of Tactical Blogs

Using search and social metrics on Google and media platforms, Feedspot has declared SemperVerus number 23 among the Top 50 Tactical Blogs on the internet. According to Feedspot, the judging criteria include a blog’s Relevancy Freshness (frequency of posting) Domain authority Google reputation and Google search ranking Influence and popularity on social media sites Quality and consistency of posts and

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Church Security: Lessons Learned from Armed Parent Stopping the Bend, Oregon School Shooter

On October 15, 2026, a special-needs 16-year-old with a pump-action shotgun approached the government identified so-called “Gun-Free Zone” (supposedly to prevent firearm attacks by criminals) of Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon—in which he was a former student—shot a pickup truck, climbed over the school’s fence, breached the school’s locked doors by shooting through them, walked into the building and into the special-needs classroom, and killed three children and a teacher and critically wounded a child and a second teacher. A third teacher threw her cellphone at him and tackled him, immediately after which a father with a concealed carry pistol permit who had followed the killer into the building shot and killed the murderer.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

In the following video, retired police officer and SWAT veteran Keith Graves, of Christian Warrior Training, provides details of the incident and offers lessons to learn from it for youth ministry leaders (12:13 into the video) and church security teams.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A List of Active Killer Incidents at Houses of Worship and Religious Schools ]

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Sentinel Geese Behavior, Church Security, Self-Defense, Situational Awareness, the 2nd Amendment, and Hon. Roger T. Benitez (Ret.)

The concept of a watchman standing guard—situationally aware and providing protection over a group of people—is biblical and well known. It’s the foundation on which church security teams are built.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Bible Verses Applicable to Self-Defense and Church Security ]

The same is true in nature. Canada geese naturally exhibit sentinel behavior. Flocks and pairs that land on the ground to forage take turns watching for predators while others eat. One stands alert with its head up or scans while the others graze, then they switch roles.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

During the spring breeding season, the dynamic changes slightly. The female (goose) incubates the eggs, while the male (gander) remains on constant guard nearby or right alongside her, though he still gets opportunities to feed when she takes brief breaks.

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International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” — Hebrews 13:3

Each year, Christians around the world unite to pray for brothers and sisters who face persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted (IDOP), November 1, 2026, is an opportunity for the global church, collectively, to remember those who suffer, hear their stories, and intentionally lift their needs before God.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, International Christian Concern’s 2026 Global Persecution Index ]

More than 388 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution and discrimination—that’s nearly 1 in 7 Christians worldwide.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION ]

Persecution can come from governments, extremist groups, communities, and even family members. In some countries, believers must gather secretly, while others risk imprisonment or violence simply for owning a Bible, sharing their faith, or converting to Christianity.

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Intel & Tactics to Defend Against Drone Threats

To meet the challenges of drone warfare, the Pentagon’s Joint Interagency Task Force–401 (JIATF 401) has published the 89-page Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Quick Reference Guide, a collection of intelligence and tactics surrounding the use of weaponized and military drones that is also applicable to civilian domestic threats, including church security.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Increasing Threat of Drones to Church Security ]

The guide begins with an overview by Matthew Ross, Brigadier General, US Army, director, Joint Interagency Task Force 401: “The proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is changing the character of warfare and creating new challenges at home and abroad. Drones are increasingly capable, accessible, and adaptable, giving state and non-state actors the ability to conduct surveillance, disrupt operations, and deliver lethal effects. The threat is evolving rapidly, and our defenses must evolve with it.”

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Religious Organizations Among Targets for Chinese Cyber Threats

Malicious cyber activity enabled by the Integrity Technology Group (Integrity Tech)—a China-based company with ties to the Chinese government—is globally targeting religious, law enforcement, and education organizations, as well as entities in the fields of government services and facilities, critical manufacturing, healthcare and public health, and information technology US critical infrastructure sectors, according to a joint advisory by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI, National Security Agency (NSA), and international partners.

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Synagogue Suing Maryland County Over the Right of Armed Self Protection

Three years after the October 7, 2023, surprise antisemitic multi-pronged invasion and massacre across 119 locations in Israel by 6,000 militants and civilians of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and allied armed groups from the Gaza Strip—killing at least 1,195 people, wounding roughly 3,400 people, and abducting 251 as hostages—the Orthodox Jewish synagogue, known as Congregation Ahavas Yisrael, in the Washington, DC, suburb of Silver Spring, Maryland, prompted by that atrocity, has five trained congregants on its security team who carry guns.

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More Than 500 Million Christians Worldwide Face Bible Access Restrictions Despite Increased Availability

The 2026 Bible Access List highlights the complex issue of Bible access and shortages worldwide, revealing that persecution-related restrictions, socioeconomic barriers and safe digital access limitations continue to put Scripture beyond reach despite increased availability.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of the BIBLE ]

Released by Bible Access Initiative, a coalition of ministries committed to Bible accessibility, the report evaluates 106 countries—88 more than were evaluated in 2025—and pinpoints the countries facing the greatest obstacles to Bible access.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, 100 Million Christians Lack Access to the Bible ]

“We often hear that the Bible is more accessible than ever, but we must not confuse availability with access,” said Wybo Nicolai, co-creator of the Bible Access List. “Persecution-related Bible access restrictions can make accessing Scripture difficult or dangerous, while socioeconomic barriers can put a Bible beyond people’s reach. Even where Scripture is available digitally, limited internet coverage or unsafe online environments can still prevent people from accessing it.”

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Lessons from Executive Protection to Adapt to Church Security

What can past attacks teach us about protecting executives today? The report, Historical Patterns in Attacks on Executives: Threats Exposure and Protective Strategy by Joe LaSorsa of LaSorsa & Associates, examines recurring motives, vulnerabilities, and practical lessons for security teams, such as:

  • Visibility, predictable routines, and access help shape an executive’s exposure.
  • Threats can involve overlapping motives, including grievance, financial gain, and ideology.
  • Digital privacy and physical security need to work together.
  • Protection plans should include family support, medical response, and business continuity.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Protection Book Review: Just 2 Seconds ]

While the report focuses on violent incidents in the corporate and political worlds—involving Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, J. Paul Getty III, Ronald Reagan, and others—the defensive principles extracted from these executive protection attacks can be applied to church security environments—including ministry leaders, congregational attendees, and the church building—such as the following:

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Enhance Your Self-Defense and Church Security Training With the ASP Unlimited App (Review)

ASP Unlimited is the membership app of Active Self Protection, founded by John Correia. ASP’s mission is to “help others develop the Attitude, Skills, and Plan to better protect themselves and their loved ones from harm” through research-informed evidence-based lessons.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

A fee-based subscription service for either iPhone or Android, ASP Unlimited gives you access to the entire Active Self Protection library—featuring John Correia, Neil Weidner, Stephannie Weidner, and the entire ASP team.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview With John Correia of Active Self Protection About Church Security Teams ]

This video and text content is rich in self-defense education, equipping you with the mindset, skillset, and toolset to safeguard you, your loved ones, and your congregation if you’re a member of your church security team.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense and Church Security Lessons by John Correia Reviewing an Attempted Carjacking ]

Church security team members should regularly watch ASP’s video analyses to learn defensive principles they can apply in their church contexts. As John Correia says, “While we do cover church incidents when they arise, the main value for church safety teams in learning from the daily ASP analyses is to have mental reps of real situations that happened to real people, giving team members a broad experience of actual incidents to draw from in their own encounters.”

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How Much Do You Practice Your Guitar Playing?

Editor’s Note: Cody Blocker, Certified Protection Specialist, is the founding member and past president of the Midwest Church Security Coalition, author of  Protecting Your Church: Thoughts on Church Security and Leadership, founder of Safety Systems Group self-defense training company, and lead instructor and training coordinator at Serving Watchmen, a biblically-based and ministry-focused training company helping churches develop policies, train people, and build the programs leaders need to protect their congregation.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

With his permission, we have published below his email newsletter message about the importance of practicing (training) to develop sharp security skills. When you download his free resource, Church Security Playbook, you’ll receive regular email messages by Cody describing best practices to lead a security ministry with excellence.

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