January 31, 2026 (9:00am - 3:00pm), Birmingham
@ The Church at Liberty Park, 12001 Liberty Parkway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35242
A one day, interactive workshop equipping you to lead heroes through the pain of PTSD & Moral Injury and towards their purpose
Facilitated by the author, Andy Jenkins
Hosted by American Legion 21st District in partnership with other organizations
Workshop at a glance
Everything you need to know about this one day workshop
Saturday, January 31, 2026
While no "formal "activities are scheduled for Friday or Saturday evening, we encourage you-- especially if you're coming from out town-- to stay over one night or the other. Our team will be on-hand to answer your questions, bounce ideas, and interact on both evenings.
9am - 3pm
Doors open at 8:30am. We'll start promptly and finish on time. We'll be efficient, as we have a lot of ground to cover.
Lunch included
We'll take quick mid-morning break (coffee & water), and we'll take a short afternoon break. In the middle, we'll pause for 45 minutes and enjoy an on-site lunch from Chuy's (provided with your registration).
Convenient location
This interactive workshop will be held at The Church at Liberty Park, 12001 Liberty Parkway
Vestavia Hills, AL 35242
Resources provided
Receive an advance copy of the GY6 manual-- complete with links to the audiobook, mini course (video), training slides, and other tools you can use for yourself and/or others.
CEU certificates available
We're in communication with APOSTC and other groups regarding CEUs. Attend this workshop and make a massive dent in the 12 required annual hours.
About the name
When the first U.S. pilots flew into war, over a century ago, they could not see behind them— only ahead of them (the 12 o’clock position) and only to the side (the 9 and 3 positions).
They could not see their “6.”
But other pilots could, and they would effectively tell the man ahead of them, “I’ve got your back. I’m looking out for you. Nothing will harm you as long as I’m here. I’ve got your six.”
This mantra has carried forth to other military personnel, law enforcement officers, and heroes of all kinds. The inference is the same: you’re covered.
What You'll Learn
This training covers all three 3-part modules of the book
Part 1 | Total Health-- Body, Soul, & Spirit
In this section we discuss the importance of total wholeness-- and how we must heal the kind of hurt we have. We affirm that each part of us matters-- body, soul, and spirit. And, we'll only be as strong as the weakest part.
A lesson-by-lesson look at Part 1 | Total Health
Part 2 | PTSD-- A Soul Hurt
PTSD is a response to external threats and primarily impacts our emotions. We discuss what triggers are, why emotional disruptions occur, and how to read the present for what it is instead of always interpreting it in light of the past.
A lesson-by-lesson look at Part 2 | PTSD
Part 3 | Moral Injury-- A Spiritual Wound
Moral Injury is a response to internal threats and primarily impacts our beliefs. We talk about the importance of the spirit, the difference between PTSD & Moral Injury, and how to heal this more prevalent hurt than PTSD.
A lesson-by-lesson look at Part 3 | Moral Injury
*It's all practical
Throughout the training you'll receive practical tools you can use (for yourself and/or for others) to walk through these common soul and spirit hurts, so that you can facilitate health and healing. We're not after amassing "more information," we're about life transformation!
Why this workshop?
This is the first of many workshops, support groups, and other resources.
As the 21st District began preparing for its annual 5K fundraiser (scheduled for May 2, 2026), the lead team felt compelled that we had the opportunity to not only create a large community event which could be replicated in other areas, but— as the theme of the run was/is suicide prevention— also to implement an ongoing program to serve the needs of veterans, military personnel, and even first responders who encounter PTSD & Moral Injury.
The tagline for the run = Hope in Motion, Courage in Action.
The American Legion says it like this: “Be the one to ask veterans in your life how they are doing, to listen when a veteran needs to talk, to reach out when a veteran is struggling.”
"Be the one" is great advice for all of us to heed for everyone we encounter. You never know when you may “be the one” who makes a significant impact on someone else through your interaction.
More than that, though...
We need people who are trained to interact with others and provide resources + next steps.
Healing most often happens when we interact with others and recognize that we're not alone. And that requires resources and trained leaders.
Common Questions
If we were sitting at a coffee shop, you'd probably ask a few questions. Since I'm here and you're there, let me provide you with the answers to some of the most common.
⁉️ Is there a schedule for the day?
⁉️ Where is this workshop held?
⁉️ If I'm traveling in from out of town, where should I stay?
⁉️ What's provided? What do I need to bring?
⁉️ Is this a book for professionals, PhDs, PsyDs, etc.?
⁉️What else is planned to help keep the movement going forward after the workshop?
⁉️ Can I bring a staff member, person on my team, volunteer, friend, etc.?
⁉️ Is there really a need for this resource?
⁉️ How can I start a movement in my area using this resource?
⁉️ How many people will “running that play” impact in my area?
⁉️What if I want to host a workshop?
⁉️ I’ve heard you plan to create a smartphone app for all of this, too…
⁉️ What do you need to move forward with the project?
⁉️ How else can we help in practical ways?
⁉️ Are you available to speak or train our group on this resource? Or can you speak at my church, civic group, event, etc.?
⁉️What if my question isn’t addressed here?
About the facilitator
Andrew Edwin Jenkins is a community-minded leader who thrives at the intersection of service, strategy, and storytelling. He is the author of GY6, a movement equipping first responders, veterans, and everyday heroes with resilience resources so they can overcome the hurts of PTSD and Moral Injury so that they might step into their Kingdom purpose.
He's written and co-authored 30+ books, including 7 related to mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
He sends a daily email devotional to more than 100,000 people every morning at 5am, he hosts a weekly podcast, and he teaches in a variety of settings— from local workshops to churches to business groups to military bases.
Whether coaching high-level leaders 1:1, equipping ministry leaders and nonprofit boards to lead at the next level, or making complex ideas practical for other teachers and facilitators, Andrew endeavors to awaken people to the grace and saves them and sustains them to live-out the significant call God has on their life.
The Vision of GY6
1. Create a tangible tool
The physical product is a book that contains links (QR codes) and next steps throughout the resource-- including companion audio, courses, stories, and more.
2. Connect with heroes
The resource is intentionally slanted to the specific needs of veterans, first responders, and others on the front lines... all the illustrations and applications points honor this theme.
3. Catalyze total wholeness
You can't heal a hurt you don't acknowledge-- nor can you heal one you merely "feel" yet don't understand. GY6 addresses PTSD (soul) and Moral Injury (spirit) in pleasantly practical ways.
Look Inside the Book
The 9-chapter resource contains three parts—
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Part 1 = Total wholeness (body, soul, and spirit)
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Part 2 = PTSD (a soul hurt)
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Part 3 = Moral Injury (a spiritual hurt)
Each part has three chapters each, all of them followed by two sections related to that chapter’s core content—
- Application and next steps = how to apply the lessons of that chapter, along with questions to answer. Participants write directly into their books.
Total = 4-5 questions and action steps per chapter.
- Stories = actual events, as told by “heroes” that show how they encountered the struggle (or solution) outlined in the chapter, enabling readers to “see themselves” in the content. The book currently contains 36 stories from actual “heroes.”
Total = 4-5 real stories per chapter, as told by the heroes themselves
Three components of every chapter
All three chapters of each of the three sections of the book contain the following three elements.
A. Information
Each of the nine chapters contains focused content designed to help the reader (or listener of the audiobook OR attender at the workshop) understand the core concept being taught in relevant and practical ways.
B. Interaction
Each chapter is followed by 4-5 stories shared by actual military personnel, veterans, and/or first responders. The goal of the stories it to help the "audience" tangibly "see" how someone else encountered the same struggle that was discussed in the chapter.
C. Implementation
Each chapter contains a follow-up... with 4-5 questions. The book is designed to be written in, so the reader might wrestle with what they've just read, making unique observations as to how they can apply the lesson.
Stories & next steps
Readers are encouraged to visit GY6 website and app will also find:
- Blog posts containing many of the stories in the book, as well as others which are shared as a result of interacting with the material (all in print, with some on video)
- Videos about Post Traumatic Stress and Moral Injury— taught from a faith perceptive
- Links to sponsors, partnering organizations, small groups, and others who “know the lingo” and can assist them
- Support groups, workshops, and other opportunities to take next steps for resources
- The ability to share their own story— and choose to have it posted or keep it private
Other resources "in" GY6
The book is a tangible tool that chaplains, trainers, peers, and others can place directly in the hands of one of our heroes, giving them a “physical product” to take with them.
The book contains QR codes and links to additional (free) content, including the enhanced audiobook, videos, stories from other heroes, places to find help, and more.
The enhanced audiobook AND video course can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the lead page of the book.
With numerous illustrations placed throughout the book, it is designed to be easy to read and accessible. The book is the entry point to more.
Tools You Can Use
(You'll receive each of the following at the event.)
The book
We'll provide you with the latest version of GY6.
The final edition of (currently in production) is an A5 size (approximately 5.8" x 8.3" hardback Moleskine-type journal.
Enhanced audiobook
The audiobook contains stories-- in the voices of the actual persons telling them-- music, film clips, and more.
Access the audiobook from the website or from the QR codes throughout the book at no charge.
On-demand course
The online course, also accessed via the website and/or QR codes in the book, walks an individual through the resource AND can also be used for group study.
Teaching kit
The complete set of slides-- through every lesson-- as well as the film clips and other resources used-- are available for people wishing to use the resource to lead groups, host seminars, provide CEUs, and more.
The bigger picture
(It's not just about the workshop.)
A lifestyle of health & healing
Although it works well for individual study and application, GY6 is designed to be taught in large workshops-- for veterans, military personnel, first responders, professionals who serve them, and even family members.
Ideally, participants attend an introductory or full workshop, step into a small group to take a deeper dive through the resource, and then choose a "next step."
The next best step for them might include:
- Leading or co-leading a group of their own
- Attending the group again with a friend or co-worker
- Stepping into a different companion workshop (such as our Soul Wholeness resource, which is designed for family members wanting to grow in this area.
In the same way we normalize physical training (and healing), we can normalize soul health and spiritual wholeness.
An intentional journey
The following graphic shows how the GY6 resource can create a "funnel" or "flow" to provide a path to lead participants from where they are to where they're designed to be.
In the same way we normalize physical training (and healing), we can normalize soul health and spiritual wholeness.
Benefits
A special note for municipal leaders
The GY6 effort has several direct / immediate benefits for the people in your area, including—
1️⃣ Providing language (and understanding) to issues our heroes already face— but have been unsure how to address (and also encouraging them by affirming they aren’t alone and the hurts they feel are normal— and expected— in the line of duty).
2️⃣ CEUs to health providers and professionals— across multiple disciplines— who regularly interact with our heroes (educating them helps them encourage and equip our heroes, while solving a need they have for ongoing education).
3️⃣ Raising positive awareness in your geographic area— especially during a season in which many have become critical of law enforcement and military personnel— and affirming the awesome work our heroes do our on behalf.
4️⃣ Preparing new heroes (i.e., LEOs and fire fighters) for the struggles they will likely face— so they know what to expect and aren’t surprised when soul and spirit injuries occur.
Rather, they know how to address the wounds and move forward. This is likely to—
- Extend the careers of many
- Result in less sick days and time off (emotional strains creates physical drain)
5️⃣ Developing a model that can be replicated in other areas, in other groups, etc.
6️⃣ Creating a much-needed on-ramp for churches and other community groups to find direct involvement in the city, in addition to the volunteer work they do at schools, etc.
Register Here
January 31st | $69 each
9:00am - 3:00pm (doors open 8:30am) / workshop held at The Church at Liberty Park, 12001 Liberty Parkway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35242
What you'll receive:
⚜️ Your spot at the upcoming workshop
📘 A copy of the book = your guide for the seminar
🍗 Catered lunch from Chuy's, coffee + tea & snacks from O. Henry's
✅ Learn with 50 like-minded leaders
📈 Ongoing support & interaction AFTER the event
🎓 CEU credits if needed