Protecting Our Young People from Modern Extremism

764: A Critical Briefing for Ministry Leaders

Protecting Our Young People from Modern Extremism

Information for Pastors, Parents, and Youth Leaders

Executive Summary

The 764 network represents a critical threat to young people and has recently been classified by federal law enforcement as ‘modern-day terrorism.’ This briefing provides essential information for protecting the vulnerable youth in our communities, with particular sensitivity to the experiences of those in recovery or rebuilding their lives.

What Is the 764 Network?

The 764 network is a decentralized, international extremist organization that operates primarily online. Founded in 2021 by a teenager in Texas, 764 has expanded to become a coordinated network of predators that targets vulnerable youth globally. Federal law enforcement officials, including the FBI Director, now refer to 764 activities as modern-day terrorism.

Core Characteristics:

Nihilistic worldview rejecting moral norms and valuing chaos over society
Targets vulnerable youth, particularly those struggling with mental health, isolation, or trauma
Uses sexual exploitation, coercion, and psychological manipulation as primary tools
Members gain status by producing increasingly violent content and coercing victims

The Scale of the Problem

Current Law Enforcement Activity:

The FBI is conducting over 350 active investigations tied to 764 and similar networks
At least 28 people have been charged federally; some face terrorism charges
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is tracking nearly 2,000 abuse reports annually
Experts estimate 10,000 people worldwide are actively engaged in the 764 ecosystem

Where 764 Operates

The 764 network primarily uses mainstream gaming and social media platforms to find and target victims. These platforms are not inherently dangerous, but predators exploit them:

Discord – Gaming chat platform where 764 originally formed
Roblox – Youth-oriented gaming platform
Telegram – Encrypted messaging application
Instagram and other social media

How 764 Operates: The Grooming Process

Understanding the operational method is crucial for recognition and intervention. Predators follow a deliberate progression:

Initial Contact – Members identify vulnerable youth in gaming servers or social platforms, often targeting those who appear lonely, isolated, or struggling
Relationship Building – They establish trust by showing interest in the youth’s hobbies, struggles, and vulnerabilities
Information Extraction – Personal information is gathered: family details, mental health struggles, insecurities
Exploitation Escalation – Victims are coerced into producing sexual content or self-harm imagery
Blackmail and Control – Material is used to extort further compliance and deeper harm
Live Streaming – The most severe cases involve livestreaming self-harm or violence while the network watches and encourages escalation

Critical Warning Signs

Parents, pastors, and youth leaders should be alert to behavioral changes that may indicate a young person is being targeted or is already being exploited:

Behavioral Changes

Online Indicators

Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
Unusual secrecy about online activities
Unexplained injuries, especially self-harm marks
Significant mood swings or depression
Resistance to parental oversight

Excessive time online, especially late at night
Use of encrypted or private chat applications
Interest in disturbing, violent, or gore content
References to 764 or glorification of past violence
Requesting privacy on devices or hiding screens

Practical Guidance for Different Audiences

For Parents

Establish Open Communication

Have regular, non-judgmental conversations about online safety and the risks of predatory networks
Ask your teen to show you their games, online spaces, and social media—frame it as interest, not surveillance
Discuss current events and news stories about online predators in age-appropriate ways

Use Reasonable Monitoring and Limits

Implement parental controls on devices; balance privacy with safety
Consider device-free times or keeping devices out of bedrooms, especially at night
Know which platforms your teen uses and familiarize yourself with their features
Follow their social media accounts if possible; watch for sudden changes in friend groups

Strengthen Mental Health and Resilience

Predators target vulnerable youth—isolation, loneliness, and low self-esteem are risk factors
Encourage in-person friendships, activities, and involvement in faith communities
Seek professional counseling for teens struggling with mental health, trauma, or identity issues
Help your teen develop a strong sense of worth that isn’t dependent on online validation

Know What to Do If You’re Concerned

Report suspected exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (CyberTipline.org) or the FBI
Contact local law enforcement immediately if your child has been harmed or is in danger
Seek trauma-informed counseling for your teen; recovery will require professional support

For Pastors and Youth Leaders

Create a Trauma-Informed Ministry Culture

Establish a culture where teens feel safe disclosing struggles, concerns, and fears without judgment
Remember that young people targeted by 764 are often those carrying shame, struggling with identity, or rebuilding after hardship
Use trauma-sensitive language that recognizes vulnerability as a sign of courage, not weakness
Emphasize that God meets people in their current darkness, not after they’ve “fixed themselves”

Host Educational Discussions

Organize group conversations about online safety and the dangers of networks like 764
Use real-life (anonymized) examples to illustrate how predators operate and how quickly manipulation escalates
Discuss how isolation makes youth vulnerable and why faith community provides protection
Help young people develop spiritual discernment about truth, deception, and their own worth

Partner With Parents and Provide Resources

Provide parents with fact sheets and resources about 764 and online predator tactics
Host parent education events on digital safety and mental health support for teens
Create clear protocols for how to respond if a teen discloses exploitation or abuse
Know local counseling resources and have trusted professional referrals available

Understand Your Mandatory Reporting Obligations

Familiarize yourself with your state’s mandatory reporting laws regarding child abuse and exploitation
Know that in most states, clergy members are mandated reporters
If a teen discloses exploitation, do not promise confidentiality—explain that you are legally required to report
Report to child protective services or law enforcement immediately

Essential Resources

Reporting Suspected Exploitation

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): CyberTipline.org – Submit suspected CSAM or exploitation
FBI: tips.fbi.gov – Report suspected extremism or violent threats
Local Law Enforcement: 911 or your local police non-emergency line
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

Mental Health and Counseling Support

SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 – Free, confidential, 24/7 referrals to mental health services
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 – Text-based crisis support
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 – Call or text for immediate support

Educational and Advocacy Organizations

Institute for Countering Digital Extremism – Research and resources on online extremism
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – Resources on extremism and hate groups
Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) – Federal legislation to require platform safety tools for minors

Conclusion

The 764 network represents a modern threat to young people that requires vigilance, partnership, and compassion. The most vulnerable among us—those struggling with isolation, shame, mental health challenges, or past trauma—are precisely those whom Jesus called us to protect and heal.

As pastors, parents, and youth leaders, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity. By staying informed, maintaining open communication, creating safe communities, and responding swiftly when concerns arise, we can protect our young people and offer hope to those who have been harmed.

Let us be vigilant, compassionate, and proactive in safeguarding the next generation.

Eighteen with 49 Years of Experience: Its been a Wild Ride

John Hargrove January 2025

Eighteen with 49 Years of Experience: Its been a Wild Ride

I have never felt completely sure of myself. But that never stopped me from trying things anyway. Life has been a mix of near-disasters, small victories, and the occasional moment of brilliance—sometimes all in the same day..

Looking back, I’ve built things, broken things (intentionally and otherwise), raised a family, started companies, rejoined companies, and somehow managed to survive a quarter horse with a mean streak. I’ve designed nuclear security systems, climbed radio towers, and watched Star Trek recover from its worst movie (looking at you, 1979). Through it all, I’ve realized that work was never just work—it was always fun. And somehow, I’m still here, still learning, still trying.

Along the way, I’ve designed electrical control systems for substations and regional grids, implemented one of the first utility fiber control systems (1982), and developed leading-edge cybersecurity systems for power plants and grid transmission.

All that said, I still feel like an 18-year-old with 49 years of experience.

The Best Times of My Life

(In Chronological Order, Because That’s How Time Works)

The Early Years: Learning, Surviving, Horses That Bite, and Learning Things the Hard Way

Age 11

Age 12 – Survived the mile swim. Earned a merit badge for not drowning.

• Age 13 – Earned Eagle Scout rank, proving I could navigate the woods, tie knots, and not set the camp on fire.

• Age 14 – Discovered Newton’s Laws the hard way by losing control of my quarter horse while riding bareback. As I rotated around to her neck, she decided to bite me while at full gallop—which seems like an unfair move in hindsight.

• Learned drafting from my grandfather, setting the stage for a lifelong appreciation of good engineering (and good erasers).

• Spent summers on the Neches River at my dad’s camp, developing a deep love for nature and mosquito repellant.

Graduated Buna ISD

The Family Years: Running From Kids, Finding Purpose, and Speaking in Public

• Pretended to run from my 3-year-old son, because making toddlers think they are faster than you is part of the Dad Code.

• Thirty-nine years later, repeated this with my grand-nephews and niece (ages 4 and up). Kids never get tired. I do.

• Got my BSEE from Lamar University (1981)—a degree that would later justify many of my wildest projects.

• Became a telecommunications engineer because my boss discovered I knew Morse code.

• Married Leisa, a moment of sheer brilliance on my part.

We had a Son – Joshua Blake Hargrove – a gift from God. 1984-2002

• Age 42 – Had the life-changing realization that Jesus loves me, this I know. That moment when you TRULY know it, and realize you were ignorant before. This alone saved me from what was to come in less than two years.

• 1994 – My wife twisted my arm into attending Toastmasters to learn public speaking. I physically got sick before my first talk. Turns out, you don’t actually die from it.

The Career Years: Work Was Never Just Work

• Started an internet company—because apparently, I like a challenge. During a pandemic…

• 1993-1995 Redesigned and oversaw a replacement and rebuild of a transcontinental microwave system from Houston to NYC, proving that yes, sometimes the right people DO get put in charge.

• 2010-2019 Designed cybersecurity systems for power plants and the grid—because keeping the lights on is kind of important.

• Put in one of the first utility fiber control systems in 1982, back when fiber optics were considered risky and cutting-edge.

• 2002 onward – Led Bible studies, where I saw the Word come alive in me and others.

The “Geezer Paradox” Years: Dancing, Trek, and Perspective

• Age 64 – Learned that I can dance like no one is watching and, more importantly, not care if anyone is. Look up the “Geezer Paradox”—it’s real.

• The Worst Times of My Life (Because Life Isn’t Always Fun and Star Trek)

• 2002 – The death of our son, Joshua. Until then, I did not know pain. Afterward, grief became a constant companion—one that never leaves, but you learn to live with.

• 1983 – The passing of my maternal grandfather at age 26. The first close relative I lost. I didn’t know how to process it.

• 2013 – The passing of my father at 85. He had a full life, but I wasn’t ready to let him go.

Final Thoughts: What I’ve Learned

No one ever feels truly complete. I’ve done a lot—some impressive, some just weird—but in the end, I’m just a guy who tried his best and constantly fell short in his own eyes. I’ve been a legal adult since 1976, but some days I still feel like a kid. Some days I act like one.

Sometimes I’m proud of what I do, sometimes I’m not.

But whether good or not-so-good, I rinse and repeat. Adjust. Keep going.

Looking back, I’ve been privileged to lead in both professional and personal areas. And yet, I still feel like I have so much left to do.

Family is huge, they made me who I am.

Each day, I try to be better and not be a burden to others.

I think I may finally be succeeding at life.

Final Words of Wisdom:

Have a great life. If I can, you can too.

Joshua painted this for me in 1999 The signature says from Paco to Dad.

My Maternal Grandfather when he was in his 20’s

Joshua Blake Hargrove

On Father’s Day

while many celebrate the loving and nurturing relationships they have with their earthly fathers, it’s important to acknowledge and embrace the reality that not everyone shares this experience. For those whose relationships with their fathers have been marked by absence, disappointment, or pain, the concept of fatherhood can evoke mixed emotions. However, within the Christian faith, there is a profound and comforting portrayal of God as the ultimate embodiment of fatherhood—offering unconditional love, boundless grace, and unfailing support to all His children.

The biblical depiction of God as a loving Father is a cornerstone that can provide immense comfort and strength. Scriptures like Psalm 68:5, which describes God as “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,” and Matthew 6:26, where Jesus reassures that God cares deeply for His creation, asserting that not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside the Father’s care, offer powerful reminders of His encompassing and protective nature.

In reflecting upon this divine fatherhood, we see a Father who is ever-present—not distant or disinterested. This is a Father who listens to prayers, who sees every tear, and who walks alongside His children through both the valleys and mountaintops of life. Unlike human relationships that may fail or falter, God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging.

For those who feel the absence of a paternal figure, God offers Himself as a sanctuary and guide. The reassurance found in Deuteronomy 31:8, where God promises never to leave nor forsake His people, can be incredibly comforting. It’s an assurance that you are not walking this journey alone, but are accompanied and loved by a Father whose commitment to His children is eternal and all-encompassing.

On this day, if the traditional celebrations of fatherhood don’t resonate with your experiences, you might find solace and hope in the relationship offered by God. In Him, you can find the qualities of the ideal father—compassion, protection, guidance, and an everlasting love that does not disappoint.

In the spirit of Avicii’s “Hey Brother,” the message that “there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do” reflects not only the depths of human sibling bonds but can also be seen as a mirror of the divine love God extends. He is a Father who, in the person of Jesus, demonstrated that there truly is nothing He wouldn’t do for His children—even to the point of giving His own life.

Today, whether you are celebrating, reflecting, or finding a new understanding of fatherhood, may you feel the deep, unending love of the Father who calls each of us His own, who knows us by name, and who offers us a place in His eternal family.