Fortify: Abuse Prevention & Response Training – Feb 22 – Iowa City

Churches are called to be places of safety, healing, and hope—especially for children, youth, and other vulnerable people in our care. Tragically, abuse can and does occur in ministry settings when safeguards are weak or missing.

This half-day training will help pastors and ministry leaders understand what abuse is, how it impacts individuals and church communities, and how your church can put wise safeguards and response plans in place. Together we’ll learn from practitioners in abuse prevention, law, and law enforcement, and we’ll highlight resources available through the SBC’s Abuse Prevention & Response work.

This event is designed especially for:

• Senior/lead pastors and elders
• Executive pastors, administrators, and office managers
• Nursery, children’s, youth, and college ministry leaders
• Special needs ministry leaders
• Biblical counselors and care ministry team members
• Any church leader involved in screening, training, or supervising volunteers and staff

Jeff Dalrymple
Jeff serves as Director of Abuse Prevention & Response with the SBC Executive Committee. He works with churches, associations, and state conventions to promote abuse prevention, care, and response best practices across Southern Baptist life.

Debbie Hansen

Debbie has served with ECAP’s Accreditation Program since early 2022 and is now the Accreditation Program Director. She enjoys assisting organizations with the important mission of protecting children and workers. Debbie’s background is in teaching and Christian School Administration, and has served as an Auditor on ACSI Accreditation Teams.

Steve Bensema

Steve served seven years in pastoral ministry, including helping launch and lead a church plant in Iowa in 2021. Today, he serves as an agent with Lightwell Insurance, helping churches and ministries across Iowa navigate risk and protection. Prior to ministry, Steve worked as an entrepreneur in real estate, property investment, and business ownership.

10:00am-10:15am – Welcome & Opening Prayer
10:15am-10:45am – Session 1
10:45am-11:15am – Session 2
11:20am-11:30am – Break
11:30am-12:00pm – Session 3
12:00pm-12:15pm – Lunch
12:15pm-12:45pm – Q&A Panel (over lunch)
1:00pm – Conclusion