“Watch Your Six”

Police officers are familiar with the phrase, “watch your six.” In police tactics training officers learn to pay attention to their surroundings. A threat may come from anywhere. “Watch your six” means to maintain vigilance all around, not allowing yourself to be exposed to danger needlessly. This means keeping a lookout for threats that may be to your left, your right, or behind you—your “six.” Pastor Jonathan Parker is a former police officer and has a ministry to police officers and their spouses called “Watch Your Six” podcast. Pastor Parker uses the familiar phrase to equip law enforcement families to “watch their six” by protecting six vulnerable areas of life often left exposed to danger. These six area are: Mental; Marital—relationships, to include parenting; Muscle—physical; Money; Missional—leadership, current events; and Ministry—spiritual. In his podcasts, Pastor Parker interviews guests that helps officers shore up areas of vulnerability.

Earlier this year, Pastor Parker learned about The Strong Blue Line ministry after receiving a copy of Winning a Gunfight from Jimmy Meeks. Pastor Parker read the book and wanted to provide exposure for the book and ministry. He contacted me and requested an interview to be aired on his “Watch Your Six” podcast. The podcast aired a couple of weeks ago. To listen to the podcast, click here.

3-8-17 Detective Joe Dubs ordered twenty copies of Winning a Gunfight for a new police ministry being launched. Detective Dubs is starting a Bible study specifically for law enforcement officers and wants to use Winning a Gunfight to spur conversation and draw officers to the study. Keep Joe’s ministry in prayer.

3-10-17 Sgt. Tony Anderson (Idaho State Police) purchased 30 books to give out at a training course he was scheduled to teach for ISP officers.

3-10-17 Calvary Alliance (Pocatello, ID) and Marsh Valley (Idaho) churches joined forces and purchased 40 books for the Bannock County Sherriff’s Office.

3-14-17 The widow of a fallen officer contacted me through the website and wrote these encouraging words: “Hello, I am the widow of a fallen officer and mother of two young children. I would love to help support your ministry and bring it to my community. I only have a minute to reach out but heard about you on the radio so I wanted to at least say thank you for what you are doing!! God bless ❤️”

3-19-17 A purchase was made for a friend whose son is a Las Vegas officer.

3-20-17 Detective Joe Dubs told me his church (Cornerstone, San Antonio) hosted a First Responders appreciation dinner sponsored by their Guys Night Out men’s group. Twenty copies of Winning a Gunfight were given out to San Antonio area police officers and deputies.