Lessons from New Life Church - The Attack That Shaped this Endeavor
- Keynote
- the Sanctuary
- February 5 2027 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
On December 9, 2007, an armed attacker entered New Life Church in Colorado Springs with the intent to commit mass murder. What unfolded in the minutes that followed forever changed the conversation surrounding ministry security.
Drawing from his firsthand experience as a member of the church's Life Safety Team, Carl Chinn shares the events of that day, the lessons learned, and how one tragic incident accelerated a national movement toward intentional preparedness in houses of worship.
This keynote traces Carl's journey from responding to violent attacks at Focus on the Family to helping establish one of the nation's first comprehensive church security ministries and ultimately founding the Faith-Based Security Network. More than a historical account, this session challenges attendees to understand why preparation matters and why every ministry has a responsibility to protect those entrusted to its care.
As the opening keynote of the conference, Carl's firsthand account sets the tone for two days of practical instruction, professional development, and meaningful discussion—reminding attendees that effective ministry security begins with understanding the realities of violence, learning from those who have experienced it, and committing to the preparation necessary to protect others.
