A group of pastors in East Texas recently participated in a training session focused on what organizers described as the threat of Islamification in Texas. The event took place at Pine Baptist Church in Pittsburg and was organized by Pastor Ben Warrick. The session featured presentations by John Bennett, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Oklahoma state representative, and Matt Shea, a former Washington state legislator and Army officer. Both speakers have backgrounds in military and legislative roles and have been active in conservative circles.
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The gathering reflects a growing concern among some conservative and religious groups about the perceived influence and expansion of Islamic institutions in Texas. Organizers of the event argue that Christian churches are a primary target of what they describe as coordinated efforts to introduce Islamic law and practices into American society. They urged local church leaders and community members to take proactive steps in response to these perceived threats.
The training was conducted by the Allied Special Intelligence Group, an organization that describes its mission as educating and training citizens and officials to "legally and lawfully, delay, disrupt, dismantle, and remove Communists/Marxists and Terrorists networks from our communities in order to restore and protect our Constitutional Republic." According to its website, the group offers training to churches and political organizations, drawing on the experience of its members in special operations, law enforcement, and intelligence fields. The group’s stated goal is to equip communities with knowledge and strategies to counter what it sees as ideological threats.
The Training Session
The event began with a screening of filmmaker Chris Burgard's documentary, Remember the Alamo: Don’t Sharia My Texas. The film presents the argument that there is a coordinated effort to introduce Sharia law into American society, with Texas identified as a primary target. Following the screening, Bennett and Shea delivered a presentation in which they claimed that Islamist groups seek the destruction of Western civilization and that Sharia law is fundamentally incompatible with the U.S. Constitution. They referenced several constitutional amendments to support their argument, emphasizing the perceived conflict between Islamic law and American legal principles.
Bennett and Shea cited their own research, claiming that there are at least 314 mosques currently operating in Texas. They referenced a 1991 memorandum by the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said outlines a strategy called "civilization jihad"—a term used by some commentators to describe efforts to advance Islamist goals in the West through nonviolent means, such as infiltrating civic groups and law enforcement agencies. According to the presenters, Christian churches are a main target for such efforts, and they called on attendees to remain vigilant.
Pastor Ben Warrick, who organized the event, expressed his motivation for hosting the training. "I think we’re in a war. It’s a battleground and I would like to be the tip of the spear and be able to do that strategically, but I’m more of a blunt force, so I’ve got some learning to do," Warrick said.
Claims and Historical References
During their presentation, Bennett drew on a range of historical documents, including the Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies, the Mayflower Compact, and George Washington’s general orders at Valley Forge. He argued that the First Amendment was originally intended to protect Christian denominations, citing statements by founding father George Mason. Bennett further claimed that Islam is not solely a religion but a "complete way of life—social, military, political," suggesting that its influence extends beyond religious practice.
Matt Shea introduced the concept of the "Red-Green Axis," a term used by some political commentators to refer to an alleged alliance between far-left and Islamist groups. Shea named organizations such as the John Brown Gun Club, Antifa, Unity of Fields, Sunrise Movement, No Kings, and the Democratic Socialists of America as examples of groups he believes are part of this axis. According to Shea, these groups share common goals and strategies, although the organizations named did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
Attendees and Responses
Among those attending the event was retired Army Lt. Col. Pete “Doc” Chambers, a former Republican candidate for Texas governor. Chambers described the issue as a "caliphate problem" and claimed that there are about 400 mosques in Texas, which he referred to as "lily pads." Chambers stated his belief that Texas is the "number one enemy" to the Islamic caliphate and the main target for such efforts.
The John Brown Gun Club, Antifa, Unity of Fields, Sunrise Movement, No Kings, and the Democratic Socialists of America did not respond to requests for comment. No representatives from Texas Muslim organizations or mosques were quoted in the reporting, and their perspectives on the claims made during the session were not included.
The training session at Pine Baptist Church is part of a broader trend among some conservative religious and political groups in Texas and other states, who have expressed concerns about the influence of Islamic organizations and the potential for the introduction of Sharia law. While the claims made during the event reflect the views of the organizers and presenters, there is ongoing debate about the extent and nature of Islamic influence in Texas and the United States more broadly. The event underscores the continuing divisions and anxieties within some communities regarding religious and cultural change.
