SBC President Willy Rice’s Florida congregation will host a January event as the Fortify initiative grows.
Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice’s church will host abuse-prevention training January 19, 2027, as the denomination expands a program designed to help congregations protect children and respond to allegations.
Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, will host the event with two regional Baptist associations and the SBC Executive Committee’s Abuse Prevention & Response team.
Rice urged churches to maintain ongoing training, establish protective procedures, take allegations seriously, report them to law enforcement and cooperate with investigations.
The gathering is part of Fortify, an initiative that allows Baptist associations and state conventions to organize training suited to their local churches.
Its published goals include recognizing abuse and grooming behavior, understanding mandatory-reporting laws, protecting vulnerable adults and children, and connecting churches with practical resources.
Program director Jeff Dalrymple told The Christian Post that about five training events had been completed and nearly two dozen others were being planned nationwide.
The expansion follows a 2022 investigation by Guidepost Solutions that found Southern Baptist leaders had mishandled abuse allegations and mistreated survivors.
Fortify provides training materials, presenters and planning assistance. Its website also encourages churches to consult legal counsel when developing local policies and practices.
