On a December afternoon while watching football on my couch at home my phone begin to ding. It was a friend from the church. “Are you OK?” The text said. “Are you here? Are you safe?! Please check in with me!” They were reaching out to me to check on my safety because a gunman was roaming the halls of New Life Church in Colorado Springs where I served on the Worship Team. I had been there barely 45 minutes before. The aftermath that ensued that day included a total of five dead, including two girls from one family at our church.
Later I learned that close friends were huddled in fear, trembling for their opportunity to break free from the building and get to their cars and get out. An armed volunteer security guard shot and killed the attacker that day.
Terry Berringer has been crucial in implementing security procedures and plans at The Bible Chapel where I’m now the Worship Pastor. Some of the lessons learned by New Life Church have been implemented here. When locking doors and restricting access to various portions of our building was initially discussed, many were annoyed at the idea of having to alter their routines. Having to enter the building through another door was a pain. Thankfully I was able to draw on my experience to help convince all involved that strategically controlling door access was one very easy way to assume a more prepared posture for security.