What Security In Ministry Is All About
and:
The Truth Behind Our Service
Security in Ministry (SIM) is a
good example of people being used and guided by the principles of God to help
change their environment, their situation, their community and circumstances by
combining faith with works and taking a stand as a deterrent against the cruel
craftiness of the worlds ills. therefore ejecting life and hope in their cities,
town and communities.
Security in Ministry (SIM) is made up of volunteers of many
different churches and denominations from throughout Genesee County. Who with
the support, blessing, and courtesy from the Genesee Sheriff's Department, have
been granted the privilege of setting up their own security force with the
Genesee County Sheriff Department (GCSD) guidelines to help protect their own
property and parishioners.
Since the beginning of Security in Ministries, there has been
thousands of dollars saved by the deterrent of theft in church parking lots and
church property during and after church activities. People can now come to
church and worship with a mind of peace. Alleviating the worry of their cars
being stolen or damaged. The preacher can preach to an even more relaxed group
and the word of God can increase to help us take back our streets and cities.
We work very closely with the different leaders representing
each church and have monthly meetings with them. We have security bi-laws in our
non-profit organization that governs the way we deal with each other.
Our Purpose and Reason for Continual Growth (Article 11) states
the following: "To establish and organize as developed by or through the GCSD,
church and religious organizations with the knowledge of instituting in-house
security personnel for the purpose of self protecting their parishioners,
visitors and guest during worship or established hours of educational and
spiritual training."
In order to be a member of SIM, you must be a member of a church
and have a security background records checked by the GCSD, and your
church must be interested in setting up their own security group, which will
abide by the rules of the GCSD.
HOW SECURITY IN MINISTRY CAME ABOUT..
In the 1980s the Reverend J.C. Curry
Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church met with Sheriff Joe Wilson
of Genesee County Sheriff Department, At which time Rev. Curry asked the sheriff
of the possibility of training some members of his church congregation to be
special deputies. To oversee and protect their own property during church and
other religious days of activities. Sheriff Wilson gave this idea careful
consideration. Shortly thereafter, Sheriff Wilson involved Undersheriff Art
Evans and Deputy Bill Brown, Training Coordinator to assist in bringing this
request to pass. Other churches observed the great work that was being done and
sought to be a part of this ministry. As time passed the churches wishing to be
involved increased, adding to a larger church participation.
Arlee Mitchner a retired reserved Flint Police Captain, Scan Special
Deputy and a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend H.B. Dixon
pastor, looked on and was moved by the spirit of God that the church security
needed to be unified with a common leader. "For the Lord God is a God of
organizational structure." When he talked with Sheriff Wilson, the sheriff
appointed him the task of organizing this structured leadership.
As time passed Walli's Restaurant, located on Pierson Road in Flint, Mi. became
an organizational meeting place. during one of these breakfast meetings at
Walli's Restaurant the group was not able to reserve a room for the meeting and
tried to conduct it in a certain section of the restaurant. It became too noisy
and frictional with the customers. The Reverend Archie Powell Jr. pastor
of First Union Missionary Baptist Church, who was also at Walli's Restaurant at
the time, observed the dilemma and inquired as to what was the problem. When he
was appraised by one of his members, Alvin Reid who was a member of SIM, he
advised Mr. Reid to take the group to his church and conduct the meeting there.
That became the birth and official meeting place for The Security In
Ministry Organization.
A well-qualified spiritual filled staff and a trinity of; Col. Ralph Tedford,
1st Major C.J. Henderson, and himself, (General Arlee Mitchner),surround Arlee
Mitchner. These leaders were appointed by the new sheriff of Genesee County,
Robert Pickell, to oversee and be responsible for the Security In Ministry
operations.