Video Analytics and Grant Funding Help Faith Organization Improve Campus Security

Pathway Church, a Wichita, Kan.-based faith organization serving thousands of congregants each week across multiple campuses, has upgraded its physical security and facility monitoring capabilities through the deployment of a new i-PRO video surveillance system.

Founded in 1959, Pathway operates three primary campuses — Goddard, Westlink and Valley Center — along with 16 additional leased or hosted worship locations. Its facilities vary widely in size, ranging from approximately 25,000 square feet at the Goddard campus to roughly 195,000 square feet at Westlink. Beyond worship services, the church also manages a large preschool and children’s ministry.

Like many organizations, Pathway began reassessing its security posture following the COVID-19 pandemic. Budget constraints and limited staffing made it difficult to consistently monitor expansive campus environments and multiple entry points while maintaining appropriate oversight of children’s areas and meeting insurance requirements.

“We didn’t have the manpower to cover every corner of our buildings,” said Dan Doerflinger, facilities director at Pathway Church. “We needed a camera system that could help us extend our reach, so one person can monitor spaces that would otherwise take multiple staff to oversee.”

Grant funding supports system deployment

To support the project, Pathway independently applied for funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides up to $200,000 per location to help high-risk nonprofit organizations — including faith-based institutions — strengthen their physical security and reduce vulnerability to potential threats.

Using funding from the NSGP award, Pathway selected i-PRO for its advanced camera technology, cost efficiency and seven-year warranty. The deployment at the church’s Goddard and Westlink campuses includes a mix of S- and X-series cameras, such as multi-sensor units for exterior coverage, fisheye and dome cameras for interior monitoring, and bullet cameras positioned throughout parking areas. The cameras are managed through the VideoInsight video management system, which the church selected for its scalability and no-license-fee structure that supports long-term budgeting and future expansion.

“The lack of recurring licenses made a huge difference for us as a nonprofit,” Doerflinger said. “It meant we could budget gradually and know the system would be scalable long-term.”

AI analytics improve visibility and efficiency

The deployment also incorporates AI-enabled analytics designed to improve operational awareness while reducing nuisance alerts. Object detection helps filter out false alarms caused by environmental movement, such as trees blowing in the wind, while people-counting analytics provide insights into service attendance patterns. Search tools that allow operators to locate individuals by clothing color can also speed up investigations in busy facilities.

Privacy considerations were another priority, particularly for the church’s school and children’s programs. The system includes facial masking capabilities to help protect student identities when video footage must be exported for incident review.

Implementation was carried out with support from Wichita-based systems integrator ADS of Wichita, which also provided training so church staff could operate the system independently.

Expanded coverage and operational benefits

According to Pathway officials, the system has already improved day-to-day monitoring across its campuses. Monitoring stations now provide live oversight throughout the week and during weekend services, while remote access allows staff to verify alerts without needing to travel to campus after hours.

Video footage has also proven useful for resolving incidents. In one case, recorded video confirmed that damage to a vehicle window was caused by an accident rather than vandalism, helping resolve an insurance claim.

Pathway plans to expand the system further, including installing cameras in all 46 classrooms at its main campus by next year. Church leadership is also exploring additional capabilities such as vehicle counting and potential integration with a broader safety platform.

“Our congregation values knowing we’re proactive about safety,” Doerflinger said. “The cameras help us protect our members, support our staff and steward our resources wisely.”

While Pathway applied for NSGP funding independently, nonprofits pursuing similar projects can also seek assistance through grant-support programs — including one offered by i-PRO — that help identify funding opportunities and support technology-driven security initiatives.