Our prayers go out to the church family in Edgemont and to Louise Gray and the entire Gray family upon the loss of Marion Gray, retired pastor of Edgemont Baptist Church.  Marion passed away on November 7th after spending 33 years in ministry as pastor of Edgemont and 3 years of retirement.  Marion was 81.  He will be missed as we honor his years of service in Edgemont as a bi-vocational pastor.  He was a friend, colleague and faithful servant.  We will miss him.

Since the tragic events in Sutherland Springs, Texas, there have been questions about how churches can provide security for their worship services and gatherings.  At this time, the DBC is researching what we can do to provide information and training in the area of church security.

For more immediate help, let us suggest the following:

1. Pray and acknowledge that true security comes from God's protection and presence.  Pray together for wisdom to know how best to provide security at your worship and gatherings.
2. Contact your local law enforcement and ask if they could provide training or information concerning security.
3. Contact your insurance agent and see if they provide information and help in the area of security.
4. Discuss with your church leaders how you might take steps to provide more security during church gatherings:
   • Station someone at your entrances during church gatherings to monitor who comes in and out.
   • Discuss the issue of concealed carries and how that issue can impact your security.
   • Post signs that your church gatherings are attended by individuals that are trained and have the means of deterring any threats to the security of your gatherings.

While we want to take prudent steps toward creating a safe environment for our church gatherings, we want to be sure not to create an environment that would discourage individuals from attending our gathering.  We want a safe place, not a fortress.