We protect those who spread the Gospel.
At Circumspect, we equip missionaries with timely, accurate, and relevant intelligence, risk mitigation strategies, and training to help them navigate dangerous environments, protect their families, and strengthen their ministries as they fulfill the Great Commission.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.”
– Ephesians 5:15-16
Michael Burris, Founder & CEO
Having worked as a security and intelligence professional for over 30 years, Michael (Mike) Burris has led risk assessments, vulnerability analysis, and security countermeasures operations for Special Operations’ missions across the globe. As he watched the world become a more dangerous place for everyone, particularly for Christians, the Lord burdened him with the question: “Why don’t Christian missionaries have the same security resources that others do when they go into dangerous areas?”
After much prayer, the Lord directed him to create Circumspect Group Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing Christian missionaries with elite intelligence, comprehensive training, and around-the-clock support, so they can spread the gospel, advance their ministries, and serve longer in high-risk locations. Since its founding, Circumspect has grown into a group of military and medical professionals who are trusted ministry partners that successfully enhance the safety of missionaries around the world.
Education: Mike Burris has a Master of Science degree from the National Intelligence University (NIU) in Strategic Intelligence, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Development from Bluefield College, and a Leadership Certificate from the Army Staff Management College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Currently, he also studies Bible at the Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN) Bible Institute (BI).
Awards: He is the recipient of the 2021 Director of National Intelligence, National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) Information Security Award for his involvement in Operation Warp Speed, which resulted in the safe development and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines during the 2020 pandemic. Additionally, Mr. Burris has received over 30 military and civilian awards related to intelligence and security support in humanitarian, counterterrorism, and conventional military operations.
Family: Mike has been married to his lovely wife, Cynthia (Cindy) Burris, for 35 years and they have 3 adult children. He currently serves in his local church.
Why Circumspect?
With over 130 years of combined military, security, and medical experience, we empower missionaries with cutting-edge intelligence and support that enhances their safety and protection worldwide.
45% of our staff currently serve as military, federal, or federal contract personnel, specializing in National Security or Emergency Management.
Our volunteers are Subject Matter Experts (SME)s with advanced degrees in various fields, including Strategic Intelligence, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Planning, and Crisis Management.
Our team holds FEMA, Paramedic, Security, and EMT certifications.
Mission Statement
A leader in the Collection, Analysis, and Dissemination of geopolitical, socioeconomic, environmental, and threat information. Providing timely, accurate, and relevant information to Christian Missionaries and Organizations, enabling risk identification and mitigation, all to the Glory of God.
Vision Statement
An indispensable partner with Christian Missionaries and Organizations, providing predictive analysis and near real time information that allows for risks to be identified and mitigated, advancing the safety and protection of those who go into all the world for the spreading of the gospel
Statement of Faith
Circumspect Group Inc. is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to protecting, equipping, and supporting evangelical Christian missions boards, missionaries, and local churches worldwide. We affirm the following Statement of Faith as our shared confession, and we ask all board members, staff, and volunteers to embrace these truths willfully as the foundation of our service.
The Word of God
We believe the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is without error and is the sole authority for Christian faith and practice.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
The One True God
We believe in one self-existent, sovereign God, eternally existing in three Persons: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Though three Persons, they are one in essence.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)
The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the full deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, miraculous
power, substitutionary death as the atonement for the sins of all men, bodily resurrection,
ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal, imminent return in power and
glory.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (Philippians 2:5–6)
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We believe that all men are lost and face the judgment of God, and that the only way of
salvation is through repentance of sin and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
resulting in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is wholly by grace, not by works.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling empowers the
believer to live a godly life, to walk in truth, and to serve faithfully.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
(Galatians 5:16)
Resurrection and Eternal Destiny
We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost: the saved unto
everlasting life with Christ in heaven, and the lost unto everlasting judgment and
separation from God in hell.
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life
eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
The Church and Unity of Believers
We believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who
together form His Body, the Church. The New Testament teaches the establishment and
continuance of local churches, which is an assembly of believers who have followed the
Lord through the waters of baptism, and who are associated together under the direction
and government of the Holy Spirit for worship, evangelization, edification, and
education.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members… so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians
12:12)
Marriage and Human Sexuality
We believe God created man and woman as distinct biological sexes to complement one
another, and that marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman, as
ordained by God, and that it is intended to be an inseparable union until death.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
The Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that human life is sacred, beginning at conception and continuing until natural
death, and that we are called to protect and care for the physical and spiritual needs of all
people.
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm
139:13)
Our Core Values
Circumspect is grounded in 4 principles:
Our Three Areas of Focus
We leverage state of the art technology to include artificial intelligence, machine translation, dynamic intelligence feeds, and smart data visualization to support missionaries in three key areas.” “Discover how Circumspect can support your ministry by exploring our range of services below:
Client Testimonials
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