HENDERSON — Church leaders from all across East Texas packed a room at the Rusk County Sheriff's office Thursday.

Their plan getting the drop on anyone who wants to destroy their church.

With nine church fires since the first of the year many congregations are growing worried that their church may be next but the Rusk County Sheriff hopes this meeting will prevent that.

"I wanted citizens to be aware that this could happen at their church and we don't want that happening," said Rusk County Sheriff Danny Pirtle. "We want everybody to observe suspicious activity around their churches and communities."

Many of the church leaders say this is a good first step.

"I'm thankful for their diligence and I'm thankful for the fact that they were proactive," said Richard Stillwell, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Henderson.

While other church leaders say the fires are in Gods hands they are still taking extra precautions.