Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment will host a Church Safety Seminar at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 9th, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Guest speaker Jimmy Meeks will address how to overcome barriers that prevent churches from developing a safety strategy.

Meeks has been a police officer for over 34 years, and a minister for 41. He has served as a hostage negotiator, field training officer, school resource officer, detective, supervisor, and crime prevention officer. He has accumulated over 4500 hours of Texas Comission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training. He has also been a certified crime prevention specialist.

Meeks was pastor of a church in the Ft. Worth area for over 11 years, while also serving as a police officer. He has a B.A. in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Certificate of Ministry from Emmaus Road Ministry School. He has conducted over 100 church safety seminars since 2009, at which over a thousand churches have attended. Meeks will speak on the subject of scriptural justification for safety practices at church. It has been said of his presentation, “…there has never been a stronger call to action…”

Meeks and his wife of 35 years, Julie, were married at the First Baptist Church of Daingerfield, Texas, the sight of the June 22, 1980 shooting that killed 5 and injured 10.

This seminar is being presented due to an ever increasing, clear and present threat of violence and persecution toward Christian churches, individuals and ideals in the world.  Questions such as “How far would you be willing to go to protect those whom you love, care about and worship with?,”  “When faced with a threat of physical harm is self-defense and defense of others Biblically justifiable?,”  “What does the law say about conceal carry and open carry inside churches?,”  “What are some legal safety practices that my church could put in place to prevent a tragedy?,” are some of the questions that will be answered at the Church Safety Seminar.

The public is invited to come and join Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment to learn about the very real dangers present in this world and how churches can be prepared to face them, yet still carry out God’s command to love their enemies.

The cost of the Church Safety Seminar is $15 per person.

An optional chicken strip meal will be served at the camp dining hall upon conclusion of the seminar at the cost of $7 per person.  Payment for the seminar and lunch will be accepted at the door.

CLICK HERE for more information or to register for the seminar.