Sanctuary Peacemakers

On July 5, 2026, church security at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham, Illinois, contacted law enforcement about a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious man inside the church during a time when no worship service was taking place. In this episode, we look at what has been publicly confirmed, what remains unknown, and why this incident matters for church safety ministries. The lesson is not abo...

Nearly one year after the attempted mass shooting at Crosspointe Church, I returned—not to revisit the headlines, but to conduct safety-ministry training. Afterward, Jay Trombley walked me through the areas where the incident unfolded. I stood near the place where the shooter was stopped, saw the marks left behind by bullets striking the interior brick, and learned that the team member who was sho...

Bomb threats should always be taken seriously, but they should also be handled with calm, clear thinking. In this episode of Sanctuary Peacemakers, we look at bomb threats from a church safety perspective and discuss why the greatest danger may not always be the threat itself, but the reaction it creates. From suspicious packages and evacuation decisions to rally points, parking lot awareness, and...

Not everything a safety ministry knows needs to become public church information. In this episode, we talk about the importance of confidentiality within church safety ministry and why sensitive information must be handled with wisdom, discipline, and care. From family situations and custody concerns to leadership matters and private church issues, safety ministries often become aware of things th...

What happens when a child believes they’re “dumb”? In this episode, dyslexia researcher Russell Van Brocklen joins us to discuss dyslexia, learning differences, and how churches can play a vital role in helping children move from frustration and shame to confidence and growth. Learn more from Russell and download his free guide, “3 Reasons Your Child’s Dyslexic Education Isn’t Working and What to...

In this episode of Sanctuary Peacemakers, we look at the overlap between children’s ministry and safety ministry. Children’s ministry workers do not need to become safety team members, but they are often the first adults present when something happens in a classroom. That means basic preparation matters. We talk about why teachers should have first aid knowledge, how basic radio use helps them cal...

In this episode of Sanctuary Peacemakers, we look at what happens when a church leaves its own property and steps into a public setting like a parade. Using real experience from a city parade, I talk about the balance safety ministry members have to keep: enjoying the event, smiling, waving, and representing the church well, while still staying aware of the crowd, the children, the float, the park...

In this episode of Sanctuary Peacemakers, we look at safety ministry during on-site children’s events like VBS and other special activities at the church. These events may happen on familiar property, but they often change the normal routine with more children, visiting families, indoor and outdoor activities, group rotations, parking lot movement, and a busier pickup process. Using real examples...

In this episode, I’m joined by John Fela, a special needs father, advocate, speaker, and author who works to support families navigating disability, especially fathers who often feel overlooked in that journey. We discuss how churches can better understand and welcome individuals and families affected by disability, how well-meaning volunteers can unintentionally misread behavior, why leadership m...

What is the difference between a safety team and a safety ministry? In this episode, I talk about why that distinction matters more than people may think. This is about more than security, response, and readiness. It is about service, mindset, and what it means to protect the church without losing the heart of ministry. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Rel...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rodney Carpentier, a law enforcement lieutenant and co-leader of a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) team, to talk about recognizing warning signs and preventing targeted violence in churches and other houses of worship. We discuss how concerning behavior develops, where people tend to miss it, and what churches can do to take concerns seriously with...

Most people think violence is random—but there are often warning signs long before anything happens. In this episode, I’m joined by Robert Mahoney, founder of TVTP Solutions, to break down the “pathway to violence,” what behaviors to look for, and how churches can recognize and respond before a situation escalates. Learn more about his work at: https://tvtpsolutions.com/ Intro Music “Not Today” by...

This episode features Robert Siciliano, CEO of Protect Now LLC and the architect of the Strategic Human Firewall. You can learn more about his work at protectnowllc.com . Churches are built on trust—but that same mindset can create blind spots. In this episode, I’m joined by Robert Siciliano to break down what he calls the “Sanctuary Blindspot”—the tension between being welcoming and staying aware...

This is a bonus conversation with Eric Robinson after the main interview—more informal, but still some valuable insight.

Most people don’t recognize a gunshot right away—and that delay matters. In this episode, former FBI agent Eric Robinson breaks down what people get wrong, why hesitation happens, and what churches should be thinking about in those first critical moments. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not Today” by...

Most churches don’t think about protests until they’re already happening. In this episode, former FBI agent Eric Robinson breaks down how these situations develop, escalate, and what churches should be thinking about ahead of time. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not Today” by Haley Jones Website: htt...

In this episode of Sanctuary Peacemakers , I’m joined by Eric Robinson—a former FBI agent, SWAT operator, firearms instructor, and pastor—who brings a rare and valuable perspective on church safety. Eric recently retired from the FBI after 24 years as a special agent, where he worked cases ranging from counterterrorism to crimes against children. Before that, he spent over a decade in Christian mi...

After a critical incident, what comes next? In this final segment, we discuss Crosspointe Church’s path forward and the key lessons churches can take moving ahead. Connect with great podcast guests and opportunities: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/sanctuary_peacemaker Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not...

Continuing my conversation with Jay Trombley about the Crosspointe Church incident. After a brief break last week, we dive back in and pick up where we left off. More conversation about the aftermath of the Crosspointe Church incident with the church safety officer responsible for saving lives. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 202...

Quick update for listeners. The ongoing interview series with Jay Trombley about the Crosspointe Church incident will continue next week. Thanks for your patience as we resume the conversation in the next episode. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not Today” by Haley Jones Website : https://www.haleyjon...

Part three of my conversation with Jay Trombley shifts from the incident itself to the aftermath. We discuss what followed the Crosspointe Church attack—the emotional toll, the media attention, the internal challenges, and the long process of recovery for both Jay and the congregation. This episode examines what most people never see: what it takes to stabilize a church after violence, how leaders...

On June 22, 2025, a violent incident unfolded at Crosspointe Church in Wayne, Michigan. In this interview, safety officer Jay Trombley walks us through the events in real time - what happened, the decisions made in seconds, and how preparation translated into action when it mattered most. In Part Two of this series, the focus shifts from training to the incident itself. This is a direct, step-by-s...

What does it really take to be ready for the unthinkable? In this five-part interview series, we sit down with Jay Trombley , a member of the Crosspointe Church security team who played a critical role in protecting lives when an armed individual arrived on church property with the intent to cause mass harm. This isn’t about hero worship or headlines — it’s about preparation, responsibility, and t...

We are exploring how churches can work together to strengthen their safety and security teams. Learn practical steps for sharing resources, coordinating training, and creating a safer environment for congregations through collaboration with neighboring churches. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not Tod...

We're closing out the series on megachurch versus small church security comparison. Learn how to train volunteers, coordinate teams, and make cameras, alarms, and communication tools effective in both small and megachurches. Intro Music “Not Today” by Haley Jones Used with permission. © Haley Jones Release Date: October 31, 2024 Listen on Apple Music: “Not Today” by Haley Jones Website: https:...