Jim Bontrager: Senior Chaplain and Founder of "Warrior on the Wall" Ministries

Breach the Barricade!!

You would be correct if this sounds like a battle cry to you.  What might surprise you is that the man leading the charge is a Police Chaplain.  Not just any Police Chaplain, but a Marine Corp Veteran who has dedicated the latter part of his life to his faith and sharing his journey to help our law enforcement officers survive and thrive in the challenging world of policing. This week's guest on The Coptimizer Podcast is Jim Bontrager.  He is high-octane.  Anytime a man starts a conversation with quotes from G.K. Chesterton, you know he means business.  

"The true warrior fights, not because he hates what's in front of him but  because he loves what's behind him."

I am honored to have had some time to talk with Jim and share the conversation with you.  You will have to search long and far to find someone caring more about today's law enforcement officers' emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being and their families.  Jim works tirelessly with others to support the men and women of law enforcement.  

Every year, in my home state of Indiana, Jim and his team host a weekend event in Elkhart, titled, Breaching the Barricade.  Here is the event description:

• Open to all law enforcement officers and their families, the 2023 Breaching the Barricade Conference features some of the top speakers in the country. Focusing on leadership, family life, resiliency and service to the community, this conference will bring hope and encouragement to officers and their spouses/significant others that attend. The following day features the 29th Annual Officer Appreciation Day. Knife-tomahawk-spear-battle axe throwing, rifle, pistol, cannon, machine gun, skeet shooting, .50 cal. Ma Deuce, children's games and inflatables, fishing competition, bb gun competition, all the food you can eat.

So, a conference where you get to fire machine guns, throw axes and knives, fish, and otherwise just cut loose in a law enforcement family-friendly environment, who wouldn’t want to go?  Well, here is your invitation!

https://rumble.com/v2copwe-2023-fall-le-celebration.html

Jim Bontrager currently serves as a staff chaplain (former Senior Chaplain) with the Elkhart, IN Police Department and is a founder of Warrior on the Wall Ministries. A United States Marine, Jim understands warriors and is firmly convinced that they WILL walk in victory as they look to God for wisdom, strength, and power. Jim speaks at Law Enforcement conferences and retreats and conducts Law Enforcement/ Chaplain training around the country.

He holds his Diplomate Chaplain credentials with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and serves as President-Elect of the Organization (www.icpc4cops.org). He is a certified law enforcement instructor with the State of Indiana and the ICPC. A former national board member with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers USA, he and his team currently spearhead a 28+ year national outreach to strengthen and encourage law enforcement families.

He is the 2012 recipient of the Wilbert A. Cunningham Award for excellence in law enforcement chaplaincy (IN), a 2013 recipient of an Excellence in Leadership Award from Pointman Leadership Institute, the 2016 recipient of the Richard S. Kassel Award and was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Mike Pence in 2015. He the 2016 recipient of the Richard S. Kassel Award, the 2017 recipient of the Pilsung Warrior Award, and a 2018 recipient of the John A. Price Excellence in Chaplaincy Award. He is author of the official law enforcement curriculum for the movie Courageous.

Married to his wife Susie of 36 years, Jim is a father of 9 children. He knows what causes it and enjoys it very much!

You can watch this podcast on our YouTube channel by clicking here.