SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

gETTING INVOLVED

The evidence shows that threats to Houses of Worship continue to grow, and many HOWs are eager for guidance on how to better protect their staff and members, yet often are unsure where to begin. The PHOW Series offers practical information and meaningful connections to HOWs across the community, helping them think through safety long before an incident occurs. HOWs face many of the same risks as businesses—employee theft, parking lot accidents, power outages, severe weather, and family disputes—but unlike businesses, they typically do not use ID badges or access controls to verify who should be on site. This makes it even more important for Faith and Safety teams to stay alert, well-trained, and prepared to respond in alignment with their HOW’s plans and local laws.

To launch a PHOW series in your community, start by asking a simple “What if?” What if a serious event occurred at a House of Worship nearby—could they have been better prepared if the PHOW Series were in place? In most cases, the answer is a clear yes, and taking the lead to create this series becomes a meaningful investment of your time with a strong return in readiness and confidence. The purpose of PHOW is not to create fear, but to equip HOWs with practical tools and knowledge so they can strengthen safety in a thoughtful, mission-aligned way. HOWs need support to identify their risks, develop plans, and train for the range of situations they may encounter, recognizing that physical threats during services are only one part of a much broader risk landscape. By planning for diverse scenarios, HOWs can build comprehensive strategies and supportive networks that reinforce resilience.

Although we all hope your community never experiences a major incident, taking proactive steps now helps ensure that, if something does occur, your HOW will be informed, prepared, and supported. By initiating a PHOW series, you help your Houses of Worship move from uncertainty to readiness, nurturing a safer, more connected, and more resilient community of faith.

Reach out via our E-mail address to discuss more about how you can take our model and implement it in your community after signing up for our newsletter.  Visit our Connect with Us page for more information. 

Keys to Successful engagment 

1. Recognition & support by Faith Ministry that Safety is a pillar of every HOW

2. Staff/Volunteers to build and support the Safety Ministry (knowledge)

3. Identify community risks and develop proper procedures

4. Campus layers of awareness, identification & real time communication

5. Making safety a part of every HOW DNA with awareness, training, and re-training

6. Collaboration & networking with community HOW’s / Public Sectors

7. Communicating basic safety plans, at least annually, with your members during a live service