Kinder Terror: Children Evacuated from Michigan Synagogue after Armed Attacker Slams Vehicle into Preschool
The attempted attack at Temple Israel has shaken Jewish communities and faith leaders across the country. A man drove a vehicle into the synagogue complex—home to an early-childhood school—before security intervened and stopped him. Roughly 140 children and staff inside the preschool were safely evacuated, preventing what could have been a far more devastating tragedy.
Three experts who approach the issue from very different angles are available to discuss the deeper meaning of the incident and the broader surge in antisemitic threats: Grant Berry, founder of Reconnecting Ministries; Pastor Mark Biltz, founder of El Shaddai Ministries; and Stephen Willeford, spokesman for Gun Owners of America and the man who stopped the gunman during the Sutherland Springs church shooting.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER BERRY’S BOOK, ROMANS 911: Time to Sound the Alarm
- Antisemitism is the world’s oldest hatred—and it’s mutating again.
- When tensions rise around Israel, attacks on Jews worldwide follow.
- Houses of worship are increasingly on the front lines of domestic terrorism.
- Silence from faith leaders allows antisemitism to spread unchecked.
- Prepared congregations save lives when seconds matter.
Grant Berry argues the Michigan attack is part of a disturbing pattern of resurging antisemitism that must be confronted not only politically or culturally, but spiritually. Through Reconnecting Ministries, Berry focuses on healing the historic divide between Christians and Jews and confronting the theological misunderstandings that have fueled antisemitism for centuries. He warns that antisemitism often adapts to the political climate of the moment—sometimes cloaked in conspiracy theories, sometimes disguised as political hostility toward Israel—but its core animating force remains the same. Berry believes Christian leaders must play a central role in confronting the problem and standing publicly with the Jewish community before rhetoric escalates into violence.
Mark Biltz brings a geopolitical and prophetic lens to the conversation. In his 2023 book America at War 2024–2026, Biltz argued that global tensions involving Israel would increasingly reverberate within the United States. As conflicts in the Middle East intensify and global alliances shift, Biltz believes antisemitism historically rises in parallel. From his perspective, attacks on Jewish institutions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader global dynamic that scripture itself warned would unfold during periods of geopolitical upheaval.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER AMERICA AT WAR 2024-2026: The Sons of Light vs. The Sons of Darkness
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER MARK BITZ’S NEW BOOK, THE FINAL TYRANT
Stephen Willeford offers the security perspective shaped by firsthand experience. Willeford famously confronted and stopped the shooter during the Sutherland Springs church massacre in Texas, preventing additional deaths. Today he speaks nationally about protecting houses of worship and the importance of preparedness. Willeford argues that the Michigan synagogue attack demonstrates why congregations—churches and synagogues alike—must take security seriously and ensure trained individuals are ready to respond when threats emerge.
Click here to order Stephen Willeford’s book, A Town Called Sutherland Springs
Together, Berry, Biltz, and Willeford can help audiences understand why antisemitic violence appears to be rising, how global conflicts are influencing domestic threats, and what communities of faith can do—spiritually and practically—to protect themselves in an increasingly volatile moment.
Related Articles:
Temple Israel attack: Kids ‘just thought an alarm had gone off’
Q&A:
- What does the attempted attack at the Temple Israel synagogue say about the current state of antisemitism in America?
- Why do antisemitic incidents often surge during periods of global tension involving Israel?
- Are we witnessing a cultural shift in how antisemitism is expressed compared with previous generations?
- How should Christian leaders and congregations respond when Jewish institutions become targets of violence?
- Do global geopolitical conflicts—particularly in the Middle East—tend to fuel domestic antisemitism in the United States?
- What practical steps should synagogues, churches, and other houses of worship take to protect themselves from potential attacks?
- What role does faith, theology, and education play in reducing antisemitism before it escalates into violence?
- What warning signs should communities watch for that may signal rising threats against Jewish institutions?
ABOUT GRANT BERRY…
Grant was born in London, England. He is a student of Scripture and a close follower of geopolitics. He also led missions teams to the former Soviet Union (Russia) from 1993-1997. Berry is the founder of Reconnecting Ministries and Producer of The Romans 911 Project that builds bridges of understanding between Israel and the nations.
Grant has written five books, The New Covenant Prophecy, The Ezekiel Generation, Romans 911 – Time to Sound the Alarm!, Romans 911 Study Guide, and The Reconnection Mandate. He also writes for Charisma Magazine and sits on the board of multiple organizations.
As a marketplace leader, Grant was also an entrepreneur in the Cosmetic industry for more than 30 years.
Grant is married to Hali Berry, and they have five children.
ABOUT PASTOR MARK BILTZ…
Pastor Mark Biltz is the founder and Senior Pastor of El Shaddai Ministries in Washington State. Biltz is a student of Biblical prophecy and geopolitics. The importance of Judaism and Christianity in prophecy is prolific and Biltz highlights those connections like no other, with a strong emphasis on interpreting current events. He is a well-known and popular speaker on the Feasts of the Lord and has authored four best-selling books and videos on the Feasts that have gone global.
You can learn more about Pastor Biltz’s ministry and his book, America at War: 2024 – 2026 by visiting www.esm.us
ABOUT STEPHEN WILLEFORD…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. He is the author of the book A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com and www.gunowners.org
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
