Carl Chinn had a chip on his shoulder against law enforcement officers. Although a Christian, officers just rubbed him the wrong way. That attitude changed in 1996 the day he and three others were held at gunpoint by a deranged man who threatened to blow up the Focus on the Family building and everyone inside. Outside, a SWAT officer stealthy moved in and gave Carl a subtle nod of confidence that said, “I’ve got your six.” By that simple gesture, he knew the warrior was prepared to “dish out some serious dookie” (Carl’s words) if the bad guy decided to escalate. Fortunately, all ended well, and no hostages were harmed. Since that incident, Carl has become one of the fiercest supporters of law enforcement I know. In 2007, Carl found himself smack-dab in the middle of the New Life Church deadly shooting in Colorado Springs. These events in Carl’s life drove him to explore and become an expert in security for faith-based organizations. As president of the Faith Based Security Network, Carl travels the country speaking and promoting church security.
Last month, my good friend Carl was passing through Idaho Falls and graciously stopped to visit and give his Value of Vigilance seminar to faith-based organizations in Idaho Falls. For more information about Carl or to find out where he’s speaking, visit his websites: CarlChinn.com. and FBSNAmerica.com.
On the second weekend of March, Jimmy Meeks took his Sheepdog Seminar to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. The seminar featured Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, Pastor Frank Pomeroy (Sutherland Springs, TX), Officer Greg Stevens (Garland PD, TX), and Carl Chinn. Jimmy told me he expected a hundred law enforcement officers to attend and asked if I could provide copies of Winning a Gunfight for them. Supporters of the Strong Blue Line provided 100 books for the officers, click here and scroll down to “book distribution” for a short video of officers lining up to get a copy from Officer Stevens.
Old Faithful Christian Ranch (OFCR) hosted the 2019 Engage Men’s Retreat at their camp that’s tucked away in the beautiful Idaho Rocky Mountains, next to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For the past three years, Tim Lindsey (OFCR Program Director) has asked me to bring some guns for the men to shoot and serve as “range guy”. After a month of record-breaking snow, the day we shot was gorgeous, and the guys had a blast. But the fun of shooting was a distant second to the teaching and camaraderie the retreat provided.
As you read this, I’m on the road in Emporia, Kansas. Sergeant Jacob Welsh invited me to speak at the Lyon County Sheriff’s 14th Annual Sheriff’s Spring Training. They are expecting about 200 law enforcement officers from around Kansas to participate in the training. Later this month, I’m scheduled to be in Missoula, Montana at the annual Rocky Mountain Bible Mission’s Shepherd Conference. This year’s key-note speaker is Bible scholar and author D.A. Carson from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I’ll be promoting the Strong Blue Line at a display table. Pray I can make connections with churches who want to support getting copies of Winning a Gunfight to officers in their communities in the Northern Rocky Mountain area.
As mentioned last month, Cop Church Idaho Falls and the Strong Blue Line will be donating copies of Winning a Gunfight to be given out in Washington DC at the National Police Week Memorial Service. Please consider making a donation. Click here to support this effort.
Next month it’s off to Billings, Montana for a Winning a Gunfight seminar, then to Meridian, Mississippi and Birmingham, Alabama for Winning a Gunfight and Pistol in the Pulpit seminars. For more information on these events click here. Pray for your police.
