Nehemiah 4:9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat (NIV)
His Armor
About His Armor
His Armor In-Person Training was developed with a vision to offer valuable Active Response Training by a group of professionals with multiple years of experience and expertise. His Armor will give faith-based organizations the necessary tools to help prepare staff and volunteers for potential acts of violence. The 5 F’s training will help equip your team with knowledge and ability to recognize and react to incidents that may occur within the walls of your organization.
CLASSES AND COURSES
"You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me."(Psalm 18:39) (NIV)
In an active killer situation, one can no longer wait for a police or sheriff's office response to immediately stop the horror of the situation. Whether we like it or not, the burden of safety and survival becomes a personal obligation. You are THE first responder if you are present during the initial stage of an active killer incident. Acquiring and maintaining a survival mindset consisting of awareness, preparation, and rehearsal is necessary to increase your chances of surviving such an encounter.
5 "F" TRAINING
FAITH: 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
FLEE: Have an escape route and plan in mind.
FORTIFY: Lock doors, block entry to area of cover.
FREEZE: Hide out of the view of perpetrator. Know the difference between cover and concealment.
FIGHT: As a last resort and only when life is in imminent danger.
Self-Defense Training
His Armor offers courses that are designed specifically to train your faith-based staff members and volunteers. When it comes to faith-based security, there is no such thing as one size fits all. His Armor will tailor a self-defense training plan to prepare your staff and volunteers and to help create a safer environment within your organization.
Emergency Medical Response
Emergency medical response to an active killer situation or any medical episode is a very important key to saving lives. His Armor will help your team members understand beneficial techniques that can be utilized during emergency medical situations and will train you “how to survive once you have survived”.
Force on Force Training
His Armor offers realistic scenario-based training that simulates the stress experienced in real world violence. This training will help your teams respond more efficiently to a violent encounter.
Building Assessment
Criminals, terrorists, and others who wish to inflict harm upon innocent people consider faith-based organizations "soft targets". Most churches do not have security screening procedures to protect them like airports or courthouse provide. His Armor will conduct an assessment and recommend changes so faith-based organizations are intentional in their response to security.
Emergency Response Plan
His Armor will assist your staff in preparing an emergency response plan. A well-developed emergency plan is a proactive approach to disaster that will move your faith-based organization toward empowerment, resiliency, and self-reliance.
His Armor Members
Meet the Team
JON WINKEL CO-FOUNDER
Captain Jon Winkel is a 35-year veteran of the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa Fire Department. He has overseen multiple fire and rescue efforts, in his own community and in various locations as a member of the Iowa Urban Search and Rescue Team. Jon proudly served as a member of the United States Air Force and as a Magistrate in Woodbury County. He was a successful CEO at Longlines LTD in Sergeant Bluff. He served for 20 years on the Woodbury County Sheriff's SWAT team as a Tactical Medic and is also a Plans and Rescue Team Manager and a Certified NRA Firearms Instructor. Jon is currently the mayor of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. He has extensive and specialized training in multiple areas and uses his leadership, knowledge, and experience to assist faith-based organizations develop effective solutions to prepare for emergency situations. Most importantly, as a Lay Minister, Jon has a firm belief in God and credits his wife Nan for keeping him well grounded in his faith walk.
DON ARMSTRONG CO-FOUNDER
Don Armstrong retired as Captain after 39 years of service with the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office. He held various supervisory and command level positions including patrol, SWAT team, emergency management, investigations, jail, courthouse security, transportation, civil, reserves and community policing. He is a certified instructor in firearms, subgun rifle, simmuntion (force on force), and PPCT self-defense. He was the lead firearms instructor at the Western Iowa Tech Police Academy. He has a strong belief in God and feels called to help organizations prepare ofr evil that exists in the world today.
TODD WIECK
Todd retired as Deputy Major from the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office with 30 plus years of service. He spent 12 years in administration, was a member of the SWAT team, Firearms Instructor, Sniper Instructor, Chemical Munitions and Less Lethal Instructor. Also, instructor status in use of force, law enforcement ethics, dignitary protection. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Wayne State College. God, Family, Country!
SAGE LEWIS
Sage is the owner and operator of Lobo’s Boxing Club following a 20-year career with the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office. During his law enforcement career, Sage served as a Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff. He held the position of Lead Defensive Tactics Instructor at both the WITCC Regional Academy and the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, he served on the SWAT Team and as a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator. Sage holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, is a Gracie Jiujitsu practitioner, and trains in boxing. Through Lobo’s Boxing Club, he mentors youth and adults, teaching everything from women’s self-defense to basic defensive awareness. At His Armor, Sage utilizes this lifetime of training and experience to help others master the art of self-defense.
ALEX THOMAS
Alex Thomas grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, where she earned an associates degree from Northeast Community College. She obtained her Bachelor of Science - Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2011 and was employed as a conservation technician for a year. Soon after, she trained at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and began working as a Conservation Officer. In 2013, she met her husband, Josh, and married in 2015. During her four-year career, she served as a defensive tactics instructor, certified in both PPCT and Krav Maga. In 2016, Alex felt God calling her into classroom teaching. She received her teaching degree through the Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure and now teaches middle school science and art, high school biology, and yearbook at Siouxland Christian School. Alex’s passion for teaching extends into her self-defense training where she finds great joy in helping others gain confidence in their skills. Alex also leads youth group with her husband at their church, Holly Springs Bible Fellowship, and sits on the Advisory Board for the Missouri River Outdoor Expo. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, kayaking, hiking, knitting, and doing puzzles.
LIZ FORD - RN, BSN, CCP, MEI
With 44 years to her credit in the medical field, Liz has accomplished many levels of education and training. A registered Nurse with 32 years background in Intensive Care, Emergency Room Care, Level 1 Trauma, and as a Flight Nurse, she has also been in the Emergency Medical Services field for 44 years and is a current Critical Care Paramedic. Holding degrees in Nursing, Psychology and Pre Hospital Medicine she also has a Tactical background as well as Forensics and is a Death Investigator for Woodbury County. Liz truly believes in the Vision of His Armor to help educate and plan for “How to survive once you have survived”. These methods are simple, direct and effective procedures that can help save lives.
ANTHONY GAUL
Anthony is a 28-year veteran of Sergeant Bluff Fire Rescue, currently serving as Fire Chief. He holds certifications as a Firefighter 2, Driver Operator, Fire Inspector 1, and Fire Instructor 1 along with National Incident Management System levels 100, 200, 700, 300, and 400. Additionally, he is an EMT and holds numerous technical rescue certifications. He is a former member and Safety Officer of the Iowa Urban Search and Rescue Team and Woodbury County Emergency Services. Anthony has been a tactical medic for Woodbury County SWAT since 2008 and serves as a Reserve Deputy for the county. Anthony enjoys working with His Armor and believes in the mission to help faith-based organizations prepare.
BRENT JENSEN
Brent is a 26 year veteran with Sgt. Bluff Fire and Rescue where he spent most of his time as captain. Brent is an alert certified, active shooter instructor. Brent has earned multiple certifications including Fire Fighter 1, Fire Fighter 2, Incident Command, and Incident Safety. He is also a reserve sergeant with the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office and a reserve police officer with the Sergeant Bluff Police Department. Brent is very active in his church. He serves as president of the Administrative Board at the Sergeant Bluff Community United Methodist Church.
CHRIS JANSEN
Chris grew up in Sioux Center, Iowa and attended Sioux Center Christian and graduate from Unity Christian 1990. He graduated from Western Iowa Technical Community College in 1992 with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Police Science. In 1998, he began his law enforcement career at the Woodbury County Sheriffs Office working as a correctional officer. In 2001, he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff, working all three shifts, and graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He was assigned to the US Marshalls Fugitive Task Force in the Northern District of Iowa. He was also assigned to the Investigation Division for five years before being promoted to Sergeant covering the afternoon and day shift patrol. Currently, he is the training coordinator and am responsible for training, documenting training, overseeing the reserve program, field training program and drone program. Certifications: Iowa Enforcement Academy Defensive Tactics Instructor, Iowa Regional Academy and Reserve Deputy Instructor, FBI Instructor, Simuntion Instructor, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Instructor (ALERRT) – Level I, Active Attack, Integrated Response (AAIR) and Exterior Response to Active Shooter Event (ERASE)
MICHAEL MONTINO
Michael C. Montino, MPS, CEM®, is an experienced emergency management leader with over ten years protecting communities of all sizes—from small rural jurisdictions to major metropolitan regions. He currently serves as an Emergency Management Director, leading countywide homeland security and disaster response operations. With a background as a law enforcement auxiliary, firefighter/EMT and public health response coordinator, Michael brings real-world, frontline experience to preparedness and resilience. He holds a master’s degree in Emergency & Disaster Management from Georgetown University and is an internationally Certified Emergency Manager®. Through HisArmor, Michael is dedicated to equipping individuals and organizations with practical strategies, resilient systems, and confident leadership to stand firm when it matters most.
Testimonials
Don't just take our word for it.
Nic Scandrett - Superintendent Siouxland christian Schools
As a school administrator, there is no greater responsibility than ensuring the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff. Partnering with His Armor has been one of the most impactful decisions we have made for Siouxland Christian School.
Their expert consultation covers every facet of safety and security, providing us with comprehensive strategies, actionable training, and the peace of mind that comes from true readiness. Thanks to their dedicated guidance, we have transformed our security posture to become one of the most prepared schools in the entire state of Iowa.
While we always pray that we never have to rely on these emergency measures, we rest easier knowing that we are thoroughly equipped for any situation. We are deeply grateful for the professionalism, care, and expertise His Armor brings to our community, and we cannot recommend them highly enough to any organization looking to elevate their security.
Jamie Tooker - Training & Risk Management, Midsteps
At Midsteps, we support individuals with disabilities across 26 locations, and keeping our members, staff, and environments safe is something we take seriously — both professionally and personally. Finding the right safety partner for an organization like ours isn't easy. You need someone who understands the unique dynamics of a care-focused setting, who can engage a diverse staff, and who genuinely cares about the people we serve. That's exactly who His Armor turned out to be.
We brought them in to conduct large group trainings across our organization — twice. The first round was a full training rollout, and the second was a deeper Q&A-style session that gave our staff the chance to ask the real questions that come up when you're working in a human services environment. Both sessions were fantastic. The content was practical, thoughtful, and tailored to who we are and what we do. Our staff didn't just sit through it — they were engaged, they were asking questions, they were talking about it afterward. That doesn't happen by accident. That happens when trainers actually know their audience.
But the trainings were only part of it. His Armor personally inspected all 26 of our locations and provided us with a detailed, well-written report with individualized safety recommendations for each site. Not a generic checklist — actual, specific guidance that reflected what they saw, what concerned them, and what we could do about it. That level of care and thoroughness is rare.What sets His Armor apart, though, isn't just the quality of their work. It's who they are. When I pick up the phone and call them with a question, they answer. They're responsive, accessible, and they follow through — because they believe in what organizations like Midsteps are doing in the community. You can feel that in every interaction. Their team connected with our staff in a way that was genuine and warm, and more importantly, they treated our members with the same dignity and respect that we strive for every day.
If you're looking for a safety training partner who will show up, do the work, and actually care about your people — His Armor is the real deal. We're grateful to have them in our corner - Thank you Don and Todd!
Gene Stockton - Lead Pastor of Heartland Church
"Jon & Don came to Heartland to conduct active shooter training last fall. Jon even came and evaluated our facility prior to the training. He made a list of security vulnerabilities and suggested solutions. It was noticeable from the outset that these guys are men of faith and they have a heart for the local church. They are will-informed, highly experienced, practical and very engaging. Besides the comprehensive active shoot training, they made security recommendations specific to our building. I couldn't have expected more than what these guys provided for us in the way of training and security recommendations. They come highly recommended from the people of Heartland Church."
Rev. J.F. Robertson, Sr. - Senior Pastor Mt. Zion Baptist Church
"I recently attended an active shooter seminar at my church. Like so many others, I believed that a church is a safe sanctuary. These gentlemen presented fact-based information that should alarm every church member. Whether the aggressive person's motive is terror, domestic abuse or mental illness, the class provided education on what to look for, what actions to take and how to keep safe during an active shooter situation. Being naive and passive doesn't stop a bullet. I would recommend this faith based program to minimize and divert danger."
Bill Claeys - Lead Pastor RiverzEdge Church
"One of my concerns as pastor is the continued safety of our members. In today's headlines, churches have been under assault by assailants perpetrating violence. As a result, we had our Security Team undergo training through your organization. The training included a safety evacuation plan, possibilities for security enhancements, probabilities for an active shooter, and a final safety assessment of our facility. Our team expressed that the training was professional, concise, and comprehensive. They have an increase awareness and confidence to keep our church safe."
Jean Thomas - Lead Teacher, Siouxland Christian School
"I would recommend His Armor to every organization who realizes the violent times we live in today. The leaders of His Armor will give you directions, guidance, and defensive tips to prepare yourself if the unspeakable happens. They will inspect your organization to point out the dangerous areas as well as places for shelter or escape. I have been enlightened by their seminar and hope that if I am ever in a situation of violence, that I will respond to be able to help others because of the training I have received. I encourage others to call the team of His Armor to set up a training session to make your environment a safer place to be."
Bill Yanney - Lead Pastor Family Worship Center
"His Armor ministry did an outstanding job in our church to prepare our security team, ushers and other volunteers on what to do in case of a crisis situation such as an active shooter entering our facility. They gave excellent and thorough teaching on why a church must be aware and how to prepare for such a crisis. Also, their presentation showed a genuine reverence for the house of God and love for His people. We were especially appreciative of the hands-on training on different tactics an average church member can do to actually impede an active shooter, rather than simply doing nothing. They also have excellent training on important, practical measures a church should take to prevent sexual offenders from being able to take advantage of those in your congregation. I would whole heartedly recommend that every church have this training!"
Edgar Rodriguez - Pastor of New Hope Church
"As a pastor, I use to worry about how to keep our congregation safe from outside threats that seem to have become perpetual in our society. His Armor ministry does an outstanding job preparing churches to protect the flock from unexpected violence. Their training uncovers the unsettling reality of mass shootings carried out in churches and other gathering places by examining real-life attacks from across the country. Their presentation helps churches of all sizes to overcome security challenges with a comprehensive security checklist and assist church members to prepare and develop an emergency operation plan to prevent, respond to, and deal with a potential active shooter in the premises. I came out of the course feeling confident that our church would be ready for any unexpected and unforeseen encounters with outside threats and create a safe place for our flock to worship in."
More About Us
Jon and Don feel that His Armor is a ministry. God has given them a heart to utilize multiple years of training and experience to help faith-based organizations prepare. For this reason, His Armor does not have a set fee. His Armor recognizes that most faith-based organizations operate on a limited budget. His Armor will work with each organization to negotiate reasonable payment.
- hisarmor97@gmail.com