Articles with training

Interview With Cody Blocker, Certified Protection Specialist

SemperVerus interviewed Cody Blocker, Certified Protection Specialist, founding member and past president of the Midwest Church Security Coalition, author of Protecting Your Church: Thoughts on Church Security and Leadership, and founder of Safety Systems Group, self-defense training company.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

Please describe Safety Systems Group.
Safety Systems Group is my consulting and training company that focuses on church security. I teach volunteer church security teams all the “hard skills” like defensive tactics and handguns, but I specialize in training volunteer teams in the “soft skills” of awareness, threat assessment, behavior recognition, and verbal de-escalation.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]

Why have you included the topic of church security in the training you provide?
Security falls under the umbrella of stewardship. We need to protect what God has entrusted to us. I started as the director of security for a large church in the Midwest and saw the need. I have a passion for the kingdom, and I don’t like churches being seen as soft targets. I believe each church needs to have a strong stewardship value and protect itself.

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Interview With Vaughn Baker, President of Strategos International

SemperVerus interviewed Vaughn Baker, president of Strategos International, the global firm specializing in security training, consulting, and executive protection services for school, healthcare, government, law enforcement, military, and faith-based organizations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study ]

Please describe Strategos International and the multiple services you provide.
Strategos International is a national security consulting and training firm dedicated to helping organizations protect their people and purpose. Since 2002, we’ve served clients across corporate, healthcare, K-12/college, government, and faith-based sectors with a comprehensive, values-driven approach that aligns well with SemperVerus’ emphasis on being prepared, aware, and steadfastly “staying true.”

Our Four Divisions
1) Training

  • Conflict management & de-escalation (The S.A.F.E. Approach) for staff and leaders.
  • Active threat response (PREVAIL! e-learning and instructor-led).
  • Church security team development, usher/greeter safety, volunteer protection skills.
  • Workplace violence prevention, behavioral threat awareness, and scenario-based drills.

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Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study

Founded in 2002 with principles strongly guided by the Christian faith, Strategos International comprises a team of over 500 contracted security specialists who provide reality-based training, consulting, and protection services across the globe for businesses, military, law enforcement, health care, schools, insurance companies, and churches.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

Its article, Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study, summarizes various recommendations of how to act in the event of an active killer situation.

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

Strategos describes its white paper as “an in-depth comparative analysis of active threat response models, focusing on the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT methodology, the A.L.I.C.E. response model, the A.D.D. (Avoid, Deny, Defend) approach, and the Strategos 3-OUT (Lock Out, Get Out, Take Out) Response Model. The objective analysis—grounded in research and real-world outcomes—evaluates each model’s effectiveness, flexibility, and applicability across varied situations. Key findings highlight differences in approach, training requirements, and situational responsiveness, underscoring the need for adaptable, comprehensive strategies to enhance safety and preparedness.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Chart: The Spectrum of Potential Threat Personas in Self-Defense and Church Security ]

The models examined are:

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AlertMedia’s October 2025 Quarterly Threat Review

AlertMedia helps organizations respond to critical events with emergency communication solutions. It’s Global Intelligence Team monitors global threats 24/7/365.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness Self-Defense: Seeing Temptation as a Threat ]

After tracking threats between July 2025 and September 2025, its October 2025 Quarterly Threat Review analyzes 5 critical events during that period with significant and lasting impacts.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Chart: The Spectrum of Potential Threat Personas in Self-Defense and Church Security ]

Its focus is primarily businesses, but by extension, can be applied to general self-defense environmental situational awareness and public safety in the church security arena, providing insights into how similar threats might affect their operations—and how to prepare.

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

Here are the 5 analyses with brief annotations:

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