with Jesus on patrol E-Book

Günther Kunstmann

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 207

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

This book tells in an entertaining but profound way how Jesus can be present in over 40 years of service of a police officer and even miracles happen. So-called police-service miracles. What empowered prayer can do and thus also lead police investigations to success. Amazing true reports and experiences that inspire and motivate, make you wonder, hope and pray, and activate your own position as a Christian and your mission in society in a new way. Ended accident and burglary series, busted drug rings and caught big dealers, all these self-experienced things of the police everyday life and much more, are told in this book. Connections with biblical truths, practical implementation and the dangers of passive Christianity are also shown. Nothing is impossible for Jesus!

Leseprobe

Dedication

I dedicate this book to all colleagues who risk their lives and their health day and night to master one of the most difficult tasks of our society - the police profession!

Sure, there are lots of other jobs in which men and women master similar challenges and do deserve great appreciation and thanks – but I have been and still am a police man with all my heart, so my dedication is aimed to this profession.

When others are at home with their families and friends, celebrating, sleeping, relaxing, pursuing their hobbies, enjoying Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, public holidays, and many other good times, police officers are on duty to serve, protect, and serve people conscientiously, with motivation and dedication. To take care of their needs and helplessness and to find the best possible solution.

Despite the hostility, insults, resistance and injuries, they never give up but accept the challenge again and again and go on patrol which is admirable.

Thank you for all the years serving together, having fellowship, mastering difficult police operations together, thank you for your backing in dangerous situations, your advice and help – not only in official affairs.

You are awesome!

Personal foreword

In this book you will read about …

… my life, my life as a convinced Christian being a police officer.

… my partly curious experiences on the streets during lots of police operations.

… my practical experience and – connected to that – a more sensible perception, my spiritual development and my growing enthusiasm about my faith in Jesus Christ.

... the connections between police investigations, dangerous situations and principles of the biblical faith.

… the changing power of prayer and the practical impact on the investigative processes, social influences and the lives of people.

These are real life stories, some are hard to imagine or sound unlikely. Funny, strange, unbelievable, not scientifically provable or discussed. Sad, depressing, but also joyful when you see the positive change in people's lives.

I have seen ups and downs of people, looked into psychological abysses and terrible fates. From the little innocent child to the brutal professional gangster, I got to know them all. I have seen things you will never find in a crime thriller, but still happen again and again.

I was on the streets most of my time in the police. There I felt comfortable, it was my place. Very close to the action, if possible the first one to arrive at the scene. Out there, life was pulsing with all its positive and negative aspects.

Right there I belonged as a Christian - to the "front line", where I or where prayer was needed.

Official background:

Of course, I can't always give you all the details here, because people are still alive and nobody has to know about official procedures (even though they might be interesting...). I can´t tell you about many stories because they are too terrible. There are pictures which are burnt into my soul and took me weeks to get over, but I could not forget what I had seen. Only through prayer and conversations with my wife these experiences lost their fright, but they are still present today.

I have changed names, locations, radio paging names and other details to guarantee the best anonymity and data protection, but still to be able to tell the stories excitingly, vividly and truthfully.

I am writing about my experiences as I can remember them. Unfortunately I have not kept a diary during my time of service. I should have done it. But I can still remember lots of things and details of all these times.

In November 2017 I retired from over 40 years of police service and I thank God for the things I got to experience. It is not self-evident, especially if you get a heavy brain hemorrhage shortly before the retirement and the doctors give you two more days to live. Also here, the power of prayer was the reason I survived, experienced two miracles, I could even go back to my police work after a long period of illness (unfortunately only office work) and was then officially retired at the age of 60.

You can read about this part of my life in my first book called “Acts 29”. More details are found at the end of this book.

I certainly didn't do everything right, hadn't been prepared for many scenarios in training (1976 – 1979) even though it was very good. Over the years I suddenly was confronted with a certain situation that I had never experienced before, I had no idea what to do, but I had to find a good solution nevertheless. I was often forced to improvise or find an unusual way to manage that situation. Always according to the law and to my best judgement. Afterwards, I thought very often to myself: “How on earth did you come upon that?!”

I was not perfect (and unfortunately still I´m not!), I have made mistakes, treated colleagues the wrong way and made them angry or hurt them. At this point I want to say again:

“I´m sorry, I apologize and please forgive me!”

For many years there were only men in the police, the girls came years later. They changed the police climate, broke the male domain, made many areas easier for us boys and some more difficult. Many female colleagues were absolutely super, even in difficult missions, others were not.

For the sake of simplicity, I will only write about "colleagues" or "policemen" in the book, even if female colleagues were involved.

Please excuse me for that.

If necessary, I will mention the fact that a police officer was female.

This way of phrasing does not represent a degradation of her person or femininity on my part, it is also not a "Macho Act", it is simply easier to write and read.

For me, terms such as colleague, citizen, policeman, etc. are gender-neutral, even if it is partly seen differently. But as we all know, this is a matter of discussion.

Personal background:

Together with my wife Andra I´m leading an independent charismatic church in Bamberg / Germany,

the “Jesus Gemeinde Bamberg”. (www.jesus-gemeinde.de)

For more than 25 years we have been the pastors and leaders of this church and during all the years I have experienced the support and the carrying prayers of brothers and sisters in faith. Also my parents and physical sisters have accompanied me in prayer over all these years.

Thank you so much for that – you are true heroes.

Andra has been and is my support, my counselor, motivator, my brake when I was / I´m too fast, the acceleration, when I was / I´m too slow, the shoulder I could cry on, and so much more. Without her, my time on the streets as a policeman would have been way more difficult.

She is a God-given present to my life, a faithful companion at my side.

Blessed is the man with such a woman at his side!

And that is me!

In many preachings I have told many examples from my everyday life as a police officer, I have asked my church for support with prayer for many cases, with partly, prompt and resounding successes. But while preserving the secrecy of the police service! Claro (= spanish/portugues and means “of course”).

I am also writing this book because I´m repeatedly being asked about my experiences in the police, especially by young people.

Because in many conversations with colleagues and pastors of other churches both in Germany and abroad I realized that they still know very little about the connection between society, police, church, prayer and the spiritual authority. I hope I can brighten up this topic a little, heat it up and motivate it to be copied.

And "last but not least" I wrote this book out of thankfulness, because Jesus accompanied, guided and protected me throughout my entire police time.

HE was comforting me whenever my soul was not well anymore. HE was rejoicing with me about official success, HE forgave me when I had done wrong or when I was too gutless or comfortable to tell others about HIM.

Thank you Jesus for a lot of fun, success and countless encounters with people in my time as a Cop.

Jesus – it is so good to have YOU in life.

Jesus is worthy of all thanks and praise!

It´s all about HIM, not about me, not about how good I was as a Cop. Jesus is the Saviour, Healer, Comforter and Rescuer, not me.

I was able to help, comfort and help many people in their great needs - through Jesus.

Plenty of uniform shirts had to be put in the laundry because both - men and women wept on my shoulder, in my arms crying out the pain of the soul - out of the body. But it was worth washing the shirts.

This is not a teaching book “How to become a good Cop or a good Christian”, it is simply a ramble through my life as a “Jesus freak” working for in the police!

with one word:

with Jesus on police patrol!

Stop!

Attention, please!

this is the police speaking!

(or Günther)

Günther and Andra Kunstmann

© Bamberg 2020

Foreword by Raul N. Reyes / Argentina

You have in your hands what I call a truly challenging and revealing book. It shows us how, as Christians, we can enter into the handling of everyday life and experience testimonies. The book also clearly shows that Christ is not only concerned with doing this in the four walls of the church, but also with extending the dominion and authority given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ to the realm of everyday life. Where "being a Christian" becomes much more than just a word and the power to change into a "lifestyle" becomes clear under the guidance and conception of the Holy Spirit.

In this case it is a Holy Spirit-filled Christian policeman from the city of Bamberg / Germany who understood the role of Christians in administering the power given by Jesus Christ to the Church, the knowledge and revelation of the spiritual world, and put it into practice, not only to bring security to his city, but also to open the heaven to bring peace and blessings to his "City of God".

In this book, the pastor and policeman Günther Kunstmann writes in an entertaining, practical and testimonial manner what we can do in every area of our lives and actions if we believe and implement what the Apostle Paul expresses in Ephesians 6 : 12:

„For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.“

This book is not only for believers in Jesus Christ, but for all who ask daily what I can do to bring a change in my work, family or profession. I assure that you will not be the same after reading this book. Once you have read this book "with Jesus on patrol", bow your knees and ask Jesus to transform your life from a cold, sluggish and religious faith into a faith of action and conquer for yourself personally the word from Mark 16 : 17:

“And these signs will follow those who believe...”

I particularly recommend this book to my police colleagues who patrolling and serving in the different cities of the world and often ask themselves: "What can we do to bring about this change?”

I believe with all my heart, also as a pastor and police officer (after 31 years of service, now retired), that we, Christians filled with the Holy Spirit, should undo the works of evil and change our society with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Apostle Raul Nicolas Reyes

Police Social Psychologist

Sub Comisario (retd)

Police of the Province Buenos Aires

Argentina

Foreword by Fred Lambert / Austria

I just finished reading “with Jesus on patrol” by my good friend Günther Kunstmann. What a fun book! What an encouraging book! What a powerful book! This book is a great book for both believers, seekers and nonbelievers alike! Günther’s 41 + years as a police officer in Bamberg were filled with danger, suspense, and sometimes sorrow. But they were also filled with adventure, heroism, humor and hope. His conversational and humorous writing style will put a smile on your face and warm your heart. The stories he shares are entertaining but they will also encourage you and teach you some of life’s most important lessons. Forgiveness, compassion and understanding fill these pages because they fill the heart of the man who wrote them.

My wife Judy and I have been friends with Günther and his wife Andra for a number of years. We are also colleagues and comrades in Christian ministry. Judy and I are Pastors of the “Freie Christengemeinde” in Wels / Austria and Directors of “Rhema Bible Training College Austria”, which is the largest free church Bible Institute in Austria. Günther and Andra are Pastors of a wonderful church in Bamberg called “Jesus Gemeinde”. We met years ago at a conference in Germany and since then a genuine and meaningful friendship has developed over the years. Their faith is not religious, stuffy or boring – it is authentic, living and powerful.

Günther was raised in a Christian family and it was always his upmost desire to live for Jesus and do what God wanted him to do. This might surprise some people but this heartfelt desire to do God’s will also led him to choose a career in law enforcement. The decision for this path wasn’t easy for many reasons. Back then, when he decided to become a police officer, the times were turbulent and many people in his age group were anti-establishment and anti-police. The police were ridiculed, mocked and criticized by the anarchist, free love, flower power, hippie generation!

Another challenge was that some Christians believed that law enforcement was a completely unacceptable career for a believer. They somehow thought that Christians should be pacifists. According to their opinion, a Christian shouldn’t carry a gun or ever use one and since police have to do this, this couldn’t be the right career for a believer. These thoughts concerned Günther, so he took the issue to God in prayer. God revealed to him from the Bible that law enforcement is indeed a call and career that God himself established for the good of humanity. In chapter 13 of the letter to the Romans, Günther saw that the Apostle Paul refers to the agents of law enforcement as, “God’s servants.” Various other scriptures came to light and after seeing these things, Günther made the decision that eventually provided the subject matter for this book.

He writes:

"The decision had matured, been prayed through, confirmed by God and put into action thanks to the loving support of my parents. I was with the “Bavarian Cop´s”! I knew I was right. I belong to the "Servant of God", an instrument of God".

He unashamedly lived his faith in Christ as a police officer in Bamberg, which led to some very interesting and unique experiences. You’ll read stories like “U-903 on combat patrol" or "The Naked Nun" and be both entertained and amazed by the humour of man and the wisdom of God. You’ll read about the power of prayer and how the prayer stopped a series of accidents. Better yet, you’ll learn how you can apply the same principles and power of prayer in your life to bring change and blessing to you, your family and your city.

His career as police officer also helped him better understand what it means to operate in the authority of Jesus Christ. Günther explains that the police have been entrusted with authority to enforce the laws of the land. They have been given training, a uniform, equipment and weapons to fulfill their duties. In much the same way, Jesus Christ has given us authority, training, armour and weapons to act in His Name on earth. We are called to enforce His victory in this world. We are called to break the power of the enemy, destroy the works of the devil, heal the sick and set the captives free in the mighty Name of Jesus. Günther writes:

“Jesus authorized us to do things in his name. To speak to the problems and to the diseases to change it.”

This book is filled with true stories about how this worked for him on the job!

One of my favourite aspects of this book is the authenticity with which it is written. He doesn’t hide his mistakes or the fears he had at first. He doesn’t try to make himself into the hero of the story. He tells things like they really were in his own words and makes it clear that God has been his helper all along.

His motive in this book is not to impress and astonish the reader with lots of great stories nor is it first and foremost to defend his choice of career. His motive is to help people see that God will help them in every area of their lives, no matter who they are or what career they have chosen. God protects, delivers, heals, answers prayer, provides, grants wisdom and, most importantly of all, saves all those who call upon His name!

You’re going to enjoy this book. I believe that when you reach the end, you’ll be encouraged, inspired and ready to stand up and enforce the victory of Jesus Christ in your own life and in your own world!

God bless you!

Pastor Fred Lambert

Freie Christengemeinde Wels / Austria

Table of contents

Dedication

Personal foreword

Foreword by Raul Reyes / Argentina

Foreword by Fred Lambert / Austria

Serious gangster on the run

Choice of career – police or not?

Overlook excavation pit

Another world

U-903 on a combat patrol

The naked nun

Confused “Traffic Policeman”

Bound in chains

Where will you spend eternity?

Prayer to salvation

Why prayer?

It's all a question of authority

Accidents series stopped

“Bridge of Death” turns into normal bridge

Drunk “knifer” disarmed

Drug ring blows up

Drug dealers disposed in Spain

Corruption controls the border

A gang of burglars gets caught

Saturday-Night-Fever

Trust – look – whom

Spiritual SWAT Team

Epilogue

“with JESUS on patrol” international

When God created the police man

Acts 29

Serious gangster on the run!

„Here is the operations centre to all patrol cars:

Escaped felon has entrenched himself in a hut at the foot of the “Kogelberg” (= name of a mountain), south side.

He is heavily armed and makes ruthless use of the gun. He has announced that he will not be arrested again, but that he would rather die in a gunfire wth the police. All patrols to the “Kogelberg”, surround the area, more info will come soon! Pay attention to self-securing!

Patrols with bullet vests and heavy weapons come from the department!"

The radio call from the operations centre interrupted the pleasant talk I had with my colleague. So far there hadn't been much activity on the patrol that day. The usual checks, traffic controls, etc.

All of a sudden, we were in a dicey situation. We were not far away from the “Kogelberg”. As a young cop I had never experienced anything like this before.

Okay, in the training we learned self-safety, handling the pistol and the gun. But now we only had the pistols with us.

Walther PP (weapon manufacturer and type), Caliber 6.35, also called "knocker of the police". You could hit the gangster, without visible success and that the hit showed any reaction.

That was something but not an adequate arming.

There were only a few bullet vests at the department. The personal vests for each police officer came years later. The ones in the department were forever heavy and "steel plate vests," you would almost bow down unpractical – literally – whenever you had to wear them. But better than nothing and better than dead.

The rifles "Fabrique Nationale (FN) G 3“ and ammunition „caliber 7.62" were also stored in the department and we were trained on them.

Because they were not needed during a normal patrol, everything had to be packed up and brought to the scene in a case like this.

Whether we already had the MP 5 (Heckler & Koch, 9 mm) tommy gun as standard at that time, I don't know anymore.

We confirmed the operation by radio and started to drive to the location.

It became quiet in the patrol car, everyone was lost in his own thoughts. "What would happen? What awaits us? Will we get home safe? Will we arrest the guy?"

Questions after questions, but no answers. It was awful and caused pretty much of stress, especially for a young policeman like me. My goodness! The police academy just finished and then immediately into the full action. My “bear trainer” (“Bärentreiber”) said almost nothing, except: "Stay calm, we'll get it."

Oh, you don't know what a "bear trainer" is? Come on! Claro – it is an old bavarian police slang.

The “Bärentreiber” – “bear trainer” was an experienced colleague, a veteran, who took a "boy" under his wings and helped him to learn police practice after his mainly theoretical training.

He was briefing the young one in the own police district, explained the official requirements and special features, knew where to find the best and cheapest snacks on patrol, where the crooks went and much more.

He was indispensable for settling into a department.

Today the training is strongly practice-oriented right from the beginning, with various internships. In class you also learn a lot for the practice.

We didn't have it that way back then.

And for this you have a practical guide. That´s what I´m saying – a “Bärentreiber”! A bear driver!

The tone and the expressions in the early Seventies were still a bit rough, partially they still came from the vocabulary from the “German Wehrmacht” (name of the German army until the end of the World War II) or even earlier, without immediately glorifying or associating any stupid Nazi ideas with it.

The term “Bärentreiber” was just like that and is still used today. It was/is not offensive or derogatory. On the contrary, it was a distinction and honour, a sign of trust from the chief, when someone was "appointed" to be a “bear trainer” for a young colleague. And we looked respectfully up to him. He knew everything (ok - almost), was experienced, could handle any situation and was like a father.

There has also been times for a bawl, a clout or other rebukes. But that was ok, you wanted to learn and one day be “adored” by a "police - boy". You were not allowed to be a mimos (a sissy) or too sensitive, then you were unsuitable for this job.

The training in the Bavarian riot police of the 60s and 70s was partly semi-military. We learned to throw hand grenades, to shoot with the old German machine gun MG 42 (WW II!). You`ll never know!

My old colleagues can still sing that famous song about it. “A song! Everybody together! Two, Three, Four! O - oh, beautiful Westerwald (a large wood in Germany)...”

Enough of the memories now, let's get back to the story. More and more patrols answered via radio, the loop around Kogelberg tightened and tightened and consequently around the felon. He was pushed more and more into the narrowness and probably more and more into the final despair. There were no special forces yet, no negotiating group, the men of the patrol had to solve that problem.

We were all lost in thoughts when I suddenly realized: Well, I could pray now! I mean, I was a Christian!

And immediately, a Bible verse came into my mind:

„Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”Psalm 50 : 15

Bam! Awesome! It immediately touched me and I knew: God had spoken to me.

Out of the blue (somehow fitting or?) this Bible verse had come to my mind.

And before that, I had not even thought about doing the most normal and the most obvious thing:

PRAYER!

Mamma Mia! I really was a fool!

So I directly started to pray in my mind. Honestly - I did not dare to pray loudly. I did not want to show any weakness in front of my bear trainer. (So I thought at that time that others would think something like that about me).

“God, please intervene and make sure

that we don´t have to shoot or fight.

Let him surrender!

Amen.”