Macon Faith Leaders Invited to Oct. 8 Safety Training for Houses of Worship

MACON, Ga. – Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will join faith leaders in Macon on Oct. 8 for a safety training program aimed at helping churches and other houses of worship prepare for potential emergencies and security threats.

The half-day “Protecting Houses of Worship” seminar will be held at Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church on Avondale Mill Road. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the program expected to conclude around 12:30 p.m.

The training is intended for leadership and security teams representing more than 400 houses of worship in Macon and surrounding communities.

Presentations will cover safety and security practices, emergency action plans, hate crimes and identifying and managing potential threats. Organizers will also provide information about grants available to help houses of worship improve security.

“This specialized training is designed for the leadership teams of the more than 400 houses of worship in Macon and its surrounding communities, with the goal of enhancing safety and preparedness,” U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes said.

Representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will participate in the program, including the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

“Everyone who attends a service deserves the right to do so in peace,” FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said. “One of the best ways to secure our houses of worship is to ensure that our faith-based leaders have the information and resources they need to help protect their properties and congregants.”

The event is available to registered leaders and/or their designees from houses of worship, nonprofits, and community organizations. To register, please visit: https://bibbmtzion.elexiochms.com/external/form/49c608ca-682a-45e8-b9e3-955c6779ecc5.

For more information, please contact Dion Lyons, Law Enforcement Coordinator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at dion.lyons@usdoj.gov or call (478) 733-9659. There is no deadline to register, although seating is limited for this training. There is no cost to attend.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has organized Protecting Houses of Worship training programs since 2017. The sessions bring together leaders and people responsible for security at churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to discuss preparedness and potential security concerns.