On April 30, 2026, church leaders and ministry workers from across the Nashville area gathered for the Abuse Prevention and Response Training, hosted by the Nashville Baptist Association.
The morning featured three expert presenters:
- Jeff Dalrymple, Director of Abuse Prevention and Response for the SBC Executive Committee;
- Dani Bryson, Assistant District Attorney; and
- Matt Espanshade, Executive Pastor at The Journey Church in Lebanon, TN and retired FBI Special Agent.
Together they addressed the critical topics of identifying and understanding abuse, legal responsibilities and challenges facing churches, and practical prevention strategies from both a law-enforcement and executive leadership perspective.
Attendees left equipped with actionable resources and a clearer framework for building safer church environments. The training reflected a shared conviction that protecting the vulnerable is not merely a legal obligation but a gospel imperative — and that informed, prepared church leaders are one of the most important lines of defense for those in their care. The presentations from each speaker are available below for download and reference.