From Practice to Preparedness: Six Real-World Tips to Strengthen Your Next Drill

Running a missing child drill isn’t just about following a process—it’s also about shifting how your team sees their role in keeping your church safe.

Step 1: Build Your Team (Keep it Simple and Open)

Tip: Don’t overcomplicate the invite. Just get people in the room.

Don’t send out overly detailed training packets or long emails. Simply invite members to show up for a safety session. 

The Lesson: Involvement starts with invitation. Keep it broad—but be intentional. 

Step 2: Divide Your Church into Zones

Tip: Use your building map to create zones that match your layout.

There’s no one-size-fits-all. A smaller church might need just a few zones; a larger campus might need more. Base your zones on what makes sense for your space, so each team knows exactly where to focus.

The Lesson: Clear, simple zone structure reduces hesitation and builds confidence. 

Step 3: Explore Each Zone and Identify Hiding Spots

Tip: Change the lens—ask, “Where would a child hide or be hidden?”

Look at the building through a child’s perspective, but also through the lens of someone who wants to do harm. This is difficult, but necessary.

The Lesson: Involve kids if they’re present, and force yourself to consider difficult truths

Step 4: Run a Soft Version of the Drill

Tip: Let the first drill be imperfect—it’s about learning, not speed.

Don’t get frustrated with timing right away. The first drill exposes assumptions, communication gaps, and blind spots. 

The Lesson: The first round isn’t about performance. It’s about revealing what needs to change. 

Step 5: Gather Feedback and Implement Changes Immediately

Tip: Treat feedback like part of the drill—not an afterthought.

Debrief as soon as possible. Point out what works and adopt solid suggestions on the spot.

The Lesson: Listening builds buy-in. When people see their input valued, they take more ownership.

Step 6: Run the Drill Again

Tip: Make space for repetition—it builds confidence.

With just one round of learning under your belt, the next drill can slash time and improve efficiency.

The Lesson: Practice normalizes safety. It builds muscle memory—and trust.

A successful drill isn’t about perfection. It’s about people learning, responding, and growing. 

Ready to take the next step?

Visit SafetySabbath.org to access everything you need to run a missing child drill at your church. The registration is simple, and the toolkit includes guidance, resources, and templates to help you plan, prepare, and lead your church in better protecting your children.