Every service Shepherd's Shield provides is delivered free of charge to participating congregations. From initial assessment through implementation support, our certified professionals — with backgrounds in law enforcement, federal service, military special operations, and emergency management — walk alongside your leadership team every step of the way.
Our flagship service is the Houses of Worship (HOW) Security Assessment — a comprehensive, on-site evaluation conducted by a certified SSSF assessor using our proprietary 10-pillar framework.
No two houses of worship are alike. Our assessors visit your specific facility, interview your leadership, observe your operations during services, and evaluate every dimension of your security posture — from how you handle parking lot safety to how your children's ministry operates on Sunday morning.
You receive a written assessment report with scored findings, specific vulnerabilities, and a prioritized action plan with recommendations organized by urgency and cost.
Request an AssessmentTeam organization, training, and operational readiness
Entry points, perimeter control, and visitor management
Exterior security, lighting, and crowd management
AED access, first aid capabilities, and response protocols
Camera coverage, recording capability, and monitoring
Internal comms, radios, and notification systems
Written plans for fire, active threat, medical, and weather events
Frequency, quality, and documentation of training exercises
Pastoral buy-in, leadership participation, and safety culture
Sanctuary safety, children's check-in, and restricted access
Many houses of worship have no written emergency action plans at all. When a crisis occurs — a medical emergency, fire, severe weather, or active threat — the absence of a documented plan can cost lives.
Our team works directly with your leadership to develop comprehensive, facility-specific written emergency action plans covering:
All plans are written in plain language, reviewed with your team, and designed to be actionable — not filed away and forgotten.
Request This ServiceIn a crisis, people default to their training — and if there is no training, they freeze. A written, practiced emergency action plan is the single highest-impact step any congregation can take to protect its people.
Our assessors consistently find that emergency action plans are among the most critical gaps in security programs. SSSF exists to close that gap — at no cost to the congregation.
A completed HOW Assessment and written emergency action plan also serve as formal vulnerability documentation — the same type of documentation required by federal grant programs like FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Houses of worship that complete an assessment with SSSF are better positioned to pursue grant funding for physical security improvements.
After your HOW Assessment, we help you understand which vulnerabilities to address first based on risk level, likelihood, and available resources. We build a phased remediation roadmap tailored to your congregation's capacity.
Access control upgrades, camera placement, lighting improvements, door hardware — we provide specific, budget-conscious recommendations and help you prioritize investments that deliver maximum protection per dollar.
Pastoral and leadership buy-in is essential to building a safety culture. We work with senior pastors, executive pastors, and elders to help them understand security as a ministry — not a liability program.
We help you recruit, structure, and establish your volunteer security team — including position descriptions, scheduling, chain of command, and communication protocols that integrate with your existing ministries.
Clear written policies protect your congregation legally and operationally. We develop security policies covering use of force, volunteer screening, incident reporting, and information handling.
Security is not a one-time project. We provide follow-up consultations, annual re-assessments, and ongoing support to help your congregation maintain and improve its safety posture year over year.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), administered by FEMA through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides federal funding to eligible nonprofit organizations — including houses of worship — for physical security enhancements.
NSGP grants can fund cameras, access control systems, door hardware, lighting, fencing, alarm systems, and other physical improvements. These are not loans — they are federal grants that do not require repayment.
One of the foundational requirements for a successful NSGP application is a formal vulnerability assessment documenting your facility's security gaps and risk exposure. The SSSF HOW Security Assessment generates precisely that documentation — and SSSF can help your leadership understand how to leverage it for a grant application.
NSGP eligibility is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, including faith-based nonprofit organizations, that are at elevated risk of terrorist attack. Applications are submitted through your State Administrative Agency. SSSF can help you understand whether your congregation may qualify.
Note: SSSF does not submit NSGP applications on behalf of houses of worship and is not a grant writer. We provide guidance, assessment documentation, and referral support. Grant application timelines and award amounts vary by state and funding cycle.
All services are provided free of charge. Choose the level of engagement that fits your needs.
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Request a free HOW Security Assessment for your congregation. No cost, no obligation — just experienced professionals committed to keeping God's house safe.
Request a Free Assessment