“Protecting Houses of Worship” Safety and Grant Training in Macon Next Month
Leaders of Faith-Based Communities in Central Georgia Encouraged to Attend
MACON, Ga. / Friday, September 18, 2026 – Federal, state, and local law enforcement will join members of the faith-based community in Macon for a “Protecting Houses of Worship” safety training along with information on related grants on Oct. 8, 2026.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We strongly encourage faith-based leaders to participate and gain valuable insights into best practices for security, as well as information about available grants to help ensure houses of worship remain safe.”
“The Protecting Houses of Worship symposium will offer insightful information to equip faith leaders to navigate the complexities of our current social climate,” said Paul Little II, Pastor, Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church.
"Everyone who attends a service deserves the right to do so in peace,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “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.”
“Keeping our communities safe is a team effort and a top priority of the GBI,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Through safety training and collaboration with faith-based, nonprofit, and community organizations, we can strengthen our communities and help ensure leaders are prepared to recognize and respond to potential threats.”
“Our houses of worship should always be places where people can gather in faith, fellowship, and peace without fear for their safety,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “Protecting these sacred spaces requires preparation, awareness, and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the faith community. This training gives our religious and community leaders practical tools to help keep their places of worship safe and their congregations informed. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support our federal, state, and local partners in this important effort.”
The half-day seminar will be held at Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church on Avondale Mill Road in Macon on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the event will finish at approximately 12:30 p.m., with presentations from federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
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.
Since 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has organized this training that brings faith-based leaders and all those involved with security at churches, synagogues, mosques, and places of worship together to provide education and a forum for discussion around topics including safety, security, emergency action plan preparedness, hate crimes, and the growth and management of threats.
This training is offered as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia
