leadership – SemperVerus

Church Security Demands a Higher Standard Than Mere Every Day Carry

Volunteering during worship services and church events as an armed security team member is not the same as being a cursory, every day, concealed firearm carrier for your own self-defense. It requires a higher level of commitment. If you’re going to carry a weapon to protect congregants, you need to approach shooting as a professional skill.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

So says Keith Graves, retired police sergeant and founder/trainer of Christian Warrior Training, in his article, Holding Armed Church Security to a Higher Standard.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview with Keith Graves of Christian Warrior Training ]

He writes, “The responsibility of protecting the flock requires more than occasional practice and casual familiarity with your gun. You need to train as if one day you may face the unthinkable—an armed threat during a service. The odds may be slim, but they are not zero.”

Captive Nations Week 2025

President Donald Trump proclaims July 20–26, 2025, Captive Nations Week. He calls upon “all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to supporting those around the world striving for liberty, justice, and the rule of law.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Global Persecution of Christians Surges in 2024 ]

In his proclamation, President Trump says, “This Captive Nations Week, I offer my heartfelt support to every person living under a totalitarian regime, and I reaffirm my commitment to advancing a new era of peace where freedom is cherished, sovereignty is respected, and every nation can live without fear of tyranny or oppression.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION ]

“In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations Week to counter the emerging threat of communism and declare America’s resolve to defend the fundamental rights of free speech, religious liberty, and self-government. As President, I continue that work today, as far too often, oppressive regimes still silence dissent and persecute their own citizens for practicing their faith.

Lesson From a Firefighter: Don’t Wait to Make a Positive Difference in Someone’s Life

The third practice of the five SemperVerus components is BE, which emphasizes the importance of intentionally reinforcing rectitude in yourself. It’s stated thusly:

III. Be: developing rich personal leadership character of exemplary moral and ethical quality.

In the following brief TED Talk video, volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos shares a life lesson he learned on his first fire emergency:

Or watch it here.

Something to think about as you live a SemperVerus life.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of BE ]

Stay True to what is right. Stay True to your aim.

Invite SemperVerus^® to present its 5 life-changing success-generating components—prepare, aware, be, know, do—to your organization to inspire and motivate your members.

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By semperverus
Posted on 07/14/202507/14/2025

US Military Academy Prayers

The United States Army Cadet Command Prayer was officially commissioned and recognized in 2006 by the United States Army Cadet Command as the fourth official institutional military prayer in US history. It was originally written for the Leader’s Training Course (LTC)—now known as Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, US Military Hymns ]

As it approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, the prayer remains a solemn reflection of the values and mission of the United States Army Cadet Command, contributing to a broader effort to foster spiritual resilience and ethical leadership among ROTC Cadets.