About Us

Who We Are

What is Concilium?

Concilium is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a goal of building capacity and resilience in Gospel advance through critical security support, risk analysis, and resiliency resources. We were founded in 2013 by Scott Brawner, a former Army Ranger, pastor, educator, and ministry mobilizer, and J.D. VerHoeven, a civilian analyst and disciple maker.

At Concilium, we offer a range of security training, critical security support, risk analysis, and resiliency resources. We believe that the Gospel is our highest value and the safety of God’s people on mission is our highest priority. Our team is made up of men and women from diverse backgrounds in the private, public, and ministry sectors, and we work to provide top-quality services to our fellow Christians, both locally and globally.

Each year, we equip and train Christian workers from around the world, enabling the Gospel to enter and thrive in difficult places. We support Christians serving in various locations and using various ministry paradigms, so we must be adaptive and cutting-edge as we provide security best practices, global risk analysis, and member care resources to our global partners.

We are committed to advancing the Great Commission by protecting and empowering Christians on the mission field. Thank you for choosing Concilium. We are excited to serve you and support you in your journey of faith.

MISSION

To build capacity and resilience into Gospel advance
so others may hear and live.

VISION

To see Christians of all ages engaged in serving the Lord
with boldness, legitimacy, and competence.

Our Team

Having worked in mission sending and security endeavors for more than 20 years, Scott is Concilium’s co-founder and senior leader. Scott accepted Jesus as his personal Savior in January of 1987 and served in the United States Army with the First Ranger Battalion. Scott was called to Gospel ministry while on active duty and is a licensed and ordained pastor. After serving, Scott pursued a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in Christian Education. He served seven years as Director of Risk Management for the International Mission Board (IMB), and is Co-founder and Executive Director of the Risk Management Network.

Professional affiliations include Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Risk Management Network, American Legion, US Army Ranger Association, NGO Security Network, and the International NGO Safety and Security Association (INSSA).

With a Master’s of Science in Strategic Intelligence and over 14 years of professional experience, Concilium’s Co-Founder J.D. VerHoeven has spent his entire career serving in Christian ministry. He is passionate about analyzing conflict, crime, and their impacts on Gospel workers both in the United States and internationally.

J.D. leads Concilium’s analytical team, Insight, which has written or edited nearly 2,000 reports on conflict, terrorism, crime, and persecution worldwide since 2010. He is a regular speaker for Christian ministry security conferences and is dedicated to providing open-source threat analysis to support Christian ministries.

In addition to his work with Concilium, J.D. has volunteered extensively in public safety organizations for more than 20 years and has led his church’s security ministry for the past several years. His dedication to public safety and security has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the field.

Overall, J.D.’s expertise in strategic intelligence and his commitment to serving the Christian community make him a critical member of the Concilium team. Concilium Insight, under J.D.’s leadership, is the premier provider of open-source threat analysis for Christian ministries.

A dedicated missionary and former law enforcement officer with a passion for serving others. Hiram’s journey has taken him from the streets of Minnesota as a patrol officer to the mission fields of East Africa, to the mountains of Colorado.

During his time in Africa, Hiram worked on a church planting team among an unreached people group in Madagascar and also served in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Chad, ensuring the security of missionaries across the continent. Hiram’s dedication to his work and his compassion for others have made him a valuable asset to the communities he has served.

Before his time in missions, Hiram obtained a degree in Criminal Justice and worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, and SWAT sniper. His training and experience in law enforcement have given him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by communities in East Africa and have prepared him to serve in a variety of roles.

Overall, Hiram’s dedication to service, his commitment to his faith, and his unique set of skills and experiences make him a valuable asset to Concilium.

With over 20 years of experience in detention, street patrol, undercover narcotics operations, and SWAT, J.P. has dedicated his career to keeping communities safe and secure.

Throughout his tenure in law enforcement, J.P. has earned numerous awards and accolades, including a life-saving award, a silver medal, and the department’s second-highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal. As a certified firearms and tactical instructor and police academy instructor, J.P. has trained countless officers and helped to shape the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

But J.P’s passion for service extends beyond his work in law enforcement. As a child, he grew up in a family focused on ministry and even served as a missionary kid in Mexico. Today, J.P. lives in Thailand with his family, where he serves with Concilium, bringing his unique expertise to bear in protecting Christian ministries and workers around the world.

With his extensive experience in law enforcement and his heart for ministry, J.P. is an invaluable member of our team.

Osmar is a multifaceted individual whose life has been marked by a profound commitment to service, faith, and compassion. Having served as an army paratrooper and combat veteran with the 101st Airborne Division and 7th Psychological Operations Group, he brings a wealth of experience and resilience to his current role as a pastor in the Watts community of Los Angeles. Osmar’s journey has taken him far and wide, from discipled gypsy orphans in eastern Europe to rescuing sex-trafficked victims and supporting humanitarian efforts in disaster areas worldwide. His unwavering dedication to marginalized communities both domestically and internationally is a testament to his extraordinary character.

With a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies, Osmar combines academic expertise with real-world experiences to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he provides security training and management internationally, empowering individuals and organizations in dynamic and hostile environments. Osmar’s global impact and commitment to promoting love, compassion, and justice inspire those around him, making him a catalyst for positive change. As the Director of Training at Concilium, his leadership continues to leave a lasting impact on individuals and communities, exemplifying his ongoing dedication to service, faith, and compassion.

Daniel, a seasoned security professional with a background in law enforcement and a passion for serving his community. Based out of Missouri, Daniel has extensive experience working as a SWAT unit member, for the Department of Corrections, as a patrol officer, and currently serves as a violent crimes detective.

Daniel’s commitment to safety and crisis response training led him to obtain Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) training. His upbringing as the grandson and son of a pastor instilled in him a deep sense of faith involvement, which has lead him to positions such as small group study leader to being the former security director for a multi-campus church. Bringing all this to bear as a valued member of Concilium, Daniel has contributed his expertise in security assessments to ensure the safety of clients and their assets.

Daniel is married with three children and continues to pursue his passion for serving his community through his work with Concilium and beyond.

More staff bios coming soon!