interviews Archives - Page 4 of 7

Interview With Lori Morrison, Private Investigator

SemperVerus interviewed Lori Morrison, retired private investigator, author, and host of The Unlovely Truth podcast. She’ll be speaking at the 2025 Church Facilities Expo in Chattanooga, September 22-24, 2025. To register and for more information go to ChurchFacilitiesExpo.com.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHURCH SECURITY ]

What prompted you to become a private investigator?
I was following a local case of a missing (and later found murdered) young woman in the news, and it made me wonder who would help me if that happened to MY child. God ignited a passion in me to help find justice for hurting families.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, US Secret Service Threat Assessment Church Case Study Links Domestic Violence with Mass Attacks ]

Describe the work of a private investigator.
It’s not as constantly exciting as it looks on TV. Good investigators spend a lot of time digging into every little detail that could make a difference in a case, because you don’t always know what’s going to be important right away. You have to talk to a lot of people and find ways to make them want to talk to you. It’s important to keep an open mind and be ready to follow the evidence, not a narrative that someone is giving you. You have to be ready to face the darker side of human nature, keeping in mind that the truth is what ultimately matters. We don’t always get justice, but we can support our clients in finding as much of the truth as possible.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the Essence of Leadership

General Douglas MacArthur was Supreme Allied Commander, South West Pacific Area in WWII, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers overseeing the occupation of Japan following the war, and Commander-in-Chief of United Nations Command in the Korean War. He is one of only five people to hold the rank of General of the Army.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Medals of Honor and Valor ]

In receiving the Sylvanus Thayer Award at the US Military Academy at West Point on May 12, 1962—two years before his death—he gave a commencement address that has come to be revered for its patriotism and emphasis on the moral and ethical responsibilities of future leaders.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of LEADERSHIP ]

Five paragraphs of his speech, especially, read like a handbook of timeless leadership virtues. He began with the West Point motto—Duty, Honor, Country—to which he appended the virtues of courage, faith and hope:

Life Lessons to Learn From a Space Capsule Failure

Law Enforcement Officer Badge How do you handle unexpected and prolonged difficulties in your life? With frustration? Anger? Despair? Doubting God’s oversight and sovereignty in your situation?

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of SPIRITUAL FITNESS ]

Instead, take the SemperVerus way: Stay True to what is right and Stay True to your aim, trusting God with all your heart.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness: Top 12 Acts for a Christian ]

What was scheduled to be an 8-day test flight of the Boeing Starliner capsule for US astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunni Williams turned into a 286-day test of endurance and conviction during an unexpected life-limiting stay in space aboard the International Space Station due to the capsule’s technical problems including helium leaks in its propulsion system and the failure of several reaction control system thrusters.

Wilmore, a devout Christian, leaned on his faith throughout the extended mission. He described his spiritual connection as “vital to existence,” emphasizing that knowing God was in control sustained him during the 9-month ordeal.

Organizing, Training & Running a House of Worship Armed Congregant Security Team

Emanuel Kapelsohn The Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network (ACLDN) is a membership organization that helps members in the legal fight after they justifiably use force in self-defense by paying for the services of attorneys, expert witnesses, private investigators, and more. It also educates members in the law governing use of force in self-defense and how armed citizens can protect against unmeritorious prosecution.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Review: House of Worship Firearms and Use of Force Policy ]

Attorney, court expert witness, and ACLDN Advisory Board member Emanuel Kapelsohn, president of The Peregrine Corporation, and author of the House of Worship Firearms Use of Force Policy Bundle (as a service to SemperVerus readers, Emanuel Kapelsohn is making this computer-fillable formatted policy bundle available at a $25 discount from the regular price. Order the bundle here. Then, on the checkout page, simply type in the discount promo code SEMPERVERUS25.), is interviewed in the ACLDN Journal on the subject of “Organizing, Training & Running a House of Worship Armed Congregant Security Team.” Below are the complete 2-part video interviews, links to the Journal print articles, and bullet points of salient information from the interview:

Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams

Gentle Response is the organization founded by John Riley, a retired police officer and certified crisis intervention specialist with the National Anger Management Association. He and his team travel all over the United States conducting Conflict De-escalation Training seminars.

SemperVerus attended this excellent seminar, held in Immanuel Church, Holland, Michigan, May 14, 2023. With Mr. Riley’s permission, here are notes we took during that seminar and scenario training:

• “A gentle response defuses anger” Proverbs 15:1 (MSG)

• Conflict de-escalation: lowering the intensity of an agitated person to minimize a potentially volatile situation from becoming a critical violent incident.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

• Peacemaking and de-escalating people’s anger is the goal, while staying alert to your own personal and public safety. When overwhelmed, stay safe and be an expert witness.

• Mindset Priority: Each church security team member must have a “ministry mindset” — Every contact (even eye contact) is a ministry opportunity to represent the mission of the church. Don’t let your actions be heavy-handed and damage that mission.