Gate Keepers Offers Church Security Services
Chuck Chadwick, founder and president of the National Organization for Church Security & Safety Management (NOCSSM), is often called the “Godfather of Church Security” because he was the first to push churches to take proactive security measures long before it was common.
Chuck Chadwick is based in Texas and is one of the most recognized leaders in modern church security training and program development.
For over two decades, Chadwick has been a trailblazer in safeguarding America’s houses of worship, earning the title “Godfather of Church Security.” His innovative approach has trained thousands of volunteers across hundreds of churches, transforming how congregations protect their communities.
A Texas native and son of a Methodist minister, Chadwick brought 40 years of private security experience to church security. His career included protecting fine art and earning certifications like Certified Protection Specialist along with numerous law enforcement and private security instructor licenses and certifications. The 9/11 attacks in 2001 inspired him to focus on faith communities, leading him to be the first Director of Security at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas (2002–2005), managing a 40-officer team as the multi-site congregation grew from 6,000 to 20,000.
In 2002, Chadwick founded the Gatekeepers Alliance to connect church security directors. By 2005, he launched the first National Church Security Conference at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Gatekeepers Alliance became the National Organization for Church Security and Safety Management (NOCSSM) in 2007. He established Gatekeepers Security Services in 2006 to provide churches with traditional security services by volunteers long before volunteer security in churches became legal in 2015 by Texas senate bill 2065. In 2009 he founded the Christian Security Institute (CSI) in Frisco, Texas training volunteers as state licensed security officers from a Christian church perspective.
Unlike the recently adopted Texas laws that allow armed security teams to operate exempt from state licensing regulations or any mandatory training or financial responsibility, Chadwick’s programs target both small and larger churches with state-licensed armed teams.
Chadwick also created the Gatekeepers Program, which equips church volunteers with training that meets professional state security officer licensing requirements in Texas. This program has been adopted by hundreds of churches as a model for blending professional-level security with a ministry mindset. The program also provides private Christian schools a way to have armed security by training, certifying and licensing staff members as armed security.
CSI’s professional state security curriculum includes firearms, hand-to-hand combat, police baton use, handcuffing and use of force; all in compliance with Texas’s professional private security regulations. The Gatekeepers Program trains volunteers to balance vigilance and hospitality, inspired by biblical “Gatekeepers” (1 Chronicles 9:21–24). Chadwick’s family, including wife Marian and son Will, supports operations and instruction.
Chadwick’s faith-driven approach has made him a leader in church security. His organizations deliver training, conferences, and tailored plans, ensuring safe worship.
After each church shooting like Sutherland Springs church shooting (2017) and the West Freeway Church of Christ shooting (2019), national media outlets (NBC, CBS,KERA, KBTX, World News Group, and others) highlighted his work. He’s been interviewed as an expert on how churches can prepare to respond to violent threats.
Chadwick’s training has impacted hundreds of churches across the U.S., and his framework is often the reference point for other trainers. He’s known not only for teaching firearms and tactics, but also for emphasizing the Christian mission of protection and service.
When it comes to church security, Chadwick is widely regarded as the most recognized figure – thanks to his pioneering training programs, statewide reach, and developing a trusted model that has empowered churches to proactively safeguard worship environments. To learn more visit gatekeeperssecurity.com.
(SOURCE: Christian Security Institute)
