October 2, 2026
IRVINE, Ky. (KT) – A recent shooting at a church in Lexington, Ky., underscored the importance of training for the improbable for Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Tim Roberts.
On Saturday, Calvary Baptist will host a church security training session, with a certified instructor leading the training. Jim Wilcox, the owner of Fearless Defense LLC in Ashland, will be instructing attendees who are welcome to come at no charge.
The recent shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church sparked conversation at Calvary Baptist Church about the necessity of security training, Roberts said.
“When we had the recent shooting that took place in the church toward Lexington, this alerted me that maybe we need to update our education and awareness,” Roberts said. “Events like that, frankly, will motivate pastors to call me, if they’ve been on the fence.”
Things can escalate quickly and unexpectedly, like what happened at Richmond Road Baptist Church last month, which resulted in the deaths of two women and the suspect, who was shot by responding officers.
While the shooting was heartbreaking, it fostered eagerness and awareness of the importance of church security training, the pastor said.
“My heart is for awareness and observation, and maybe be more alert to the potential of something that we hope would never happen happening,” Roberts said.
Wilcox instructs in northern Kentucky for concealed carry licensing, pistol training, women’s handgun fundamentals, and holds five USCCA certifications. He has nearly 400 five-star reviews of his training sessions and has increased conversation around gun safety in churches.
He is familiar with Kentucky Baptist churches, having served as worship pastor at Russell First Baptist for 22 years before retiring.
“It just seems that God has opened an avenue door to do more church security training,” Wilcox said.
While CBC is hosting the event, Roberts hopes other area churches take advantage and attend.
“I believed we needed an update, and not just our congregation, but other congregations as well,” Roberts said.
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