Mega Church Security Directors Panel
- Panel Discussion
- the (FELLOWSHIP HALL 2)
- July 24 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Large churches face unique security challenges—multiple campuses, thousands of attendees, complex facilities, large volunteer teams, and the responsibility of creating safe environments while protecting the mission of the church.
Join some of the nation’s leading church security directors and public safety professionals for a candid conversation on what it takes to lead security operations at a mega church. This experienced panel will share lessons learned from decades of law enforcement, executive leadership, ministry security, and crisis management experience.
Topics will include developing effective security teams, balancing ministry and security priorities, volunteer recruitment and training, threat assessment, emergency response planning, leadership development, working with law enforcement, and building security programs that can scale with a growing congregation.
Panelists bring decades of combined experience protecting communities, serving churches, and leading high-performing security teams:
David Dixon – Executive Director of Operations for Second Baptist Church, where he has served nearly 40 years. David is a Texas law enforcement officer with more than 35 years of service and currently serves as the sworn Police Commissioner for the City of Spring Valley. A former Special Response Team member, active shooter instructor, and nationally recognized church security expert, David brings a unique perspective on integrating law enforcement principles with ministry operations.
Mike Everett – Director of Security Services at Bellevue Baptist Church, overseeing safety and security operations for one of the nation’s largest churches. Based in Memphis, Mike brings extensive experience in law enforcement and emergency management, with expertise in risk assessment, crisis management, and security protocol development. Prior to serving at Bellevue Baptist Church, Mike served as Sheriff of Wayne County, where he developed significant experience in emergency response, personnel leadership, and community engagement.
Trent Steele – Director of Safety and Security and former United States Secret Service Agent with 21 years protecting our nation’s leaders. Trent is a subject matter expert in security planning, intelligence analysis, threat assessments, personal protection, and security training. He brings a unique national security perspective to protecting churches, schools, and organizations.
Jared Tetzlaff – Pastor and Safety & Security Director at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona, where he leads a volunteer security force of more than 150 members. With over 25 years of experience spanning public safety, nonprofit ministry, and executive leadership, Jared specializes in leadership development, crisis response, risk management, and building ministry-focused security cultures.
Stason Ikenouye – Safety Director for Flatirons Community Church, ordained pastor, and leader with The Herd ministry. A former SWAT operator, detective, and Crisis Intervention Team coach, Stason brings more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, security, and ministry. He is also an advocate against human trafficking and serves with a passion for justice and protecting the vulnerable.
Robert Reeves – Chief Operations Officer for First Baptist Church of Dallas and current law enforcement officer with Dallas Baptist University. A retired Irving Police Department officer, Robert brings extensive experience in operations, public safety, and law enforcement leadership.
Troy Thompson – Director of Safety and Security at Southeast Christian Church and a law enforcement officer with 29 years of service across Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His law enforcement background includes field training, leadership development, homicide investigations, and Professional Standards/Internal Affairs. Troy combines decades of public safety experience with six years serving in church safety ministry leadership.
Whether you lead security for a large campus, a multi-site ministry, or a growing church preparing for the future, this panel will provide practical insight from leaders who are doing the work every week. Discover how some of the nation’s largest churches build teams, develop leaders, prepare for threats, and protect the people they serve.
