Simon Osamoh
Security Advisor, Westwood Community Church, Minnesota - Kingswood Security - Worship Security Academy
When Protest Enters the Sanctuary: Lessons from the January 18 Disruption at Cities Church, Saint Paul
Repeat- Breakout Session
- room ATCR207
- July 24 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Simon Osamoh was engaged by Cities Church in the aftermath of the January 18, 2026 disruption to help guide their recovery and implement comprehensive security measures. Drawing on his expertise, he worked closely with church leadership to assess vulnerabilities, introduce best practices, and restore congregants’ trust. This presentation uses that same January 18 disruption as a case study in crisis response, disruption management, and organizational resilience. The focus is not on criticizing one church’s actions but on drawing practical lessons for leaders, security teams, and congregations. It will examine the events of the incident, the public and legal fallout that followed, and the broader lessons on crisis communications, responding to agitators, protecting people, and leading calmly under pressure. The goal is to help audiences apply those lessons to their own churches and organizations.
