PMJ July 1995

It just goes against my grain. I mean, "After all Lord, we have work to do and I need to use my time wisely. You're coming back soon and I want to see you reach law enforcement families with the gospel." Can you relate? Does your grain point in the same direction as mine? We often grow weary of doing good and, at times, express our frustration to our spouses, our families and, in my case, sometimes a board of directors. Have you ever had to call someone, especially a close friend and say, "Let me apologize for what I think I said and what you thought I meant. ?" I did that just recently so if you relate to this at all I would
encourage you to get up and pour yourself a good cup of coffee.

I want you to imagine yourself sitting around a warm fire in your living room with friends. I will change the names, but these discussions have occurred and they are evidence of the Lord's hand on the ministry of Peace Officers for Christ International. We will call her Sharon. Her police officer husband had left her and their children. She was looking for a Bible study so we began checking the area for a group of officers and their spouses who were meeting for that purpose. By the night of the first meeting, Sharon's husband had returned to his family and was now expressing a desire to walk closely with the Lord and their marriage
was well on the road to recovery. Several other opportunities for fellowship were coming in the near future for this returning husband and father. The word of encouragement that came to me was, "Wait, be patient. God is working!"

Across the United States, the calls come in for prayer for a spouse to come back to his or her family or for the husband to become the spiritual leader in his home. So often it is the wife at home who is praying. Again the words come to mind - "Be patient!"

As our imaginary gathering around the fire continues, Sharon takes a sip of her coffee and listens to another share of the results of waiting - the results of being patient and trusting in the One who rejoices when a family is reunited, awaiting marching orders from their King.

Later, Karen shares how she had prayed for several years for her husband who finally agreed to attend a Christian conference with her and some of their friends. She watched as God began to reach her husband during the conference. As the long months of waiting and her determination to be patient flashed before her, she watched her husband as he repented publicly for his unfaithfulness to her and their children. This was followed by a commitment of his life to Jesus Christ and an expressed desire to take responsibility for the spiritual leadership in his home. However, it was what he shared last that finished off the last few who had been trying to hold back the tears. "I want to thank the Lord for my wife. She did all the right things." The implication spoke loudly. "She waited, she trusted and she was patient." (That is when you ask the big SWAT team member sitting next to you to pass the box of tissues that his wife has just shared with him.)

We do not need to change my name. "My name is Dave and sometimes I get impatient." Sharon puts another log on the fire and listens with her husband as I explain the excitement in the midst of the need for patience. The excitement is in the fact that nearly fifteen hundred more law enforcement families have begun receiving the Peacemakers ' Journal in just the last year. Regional Representatives have been added from the East Coast, Colorado, and Venezuela. (See Regional Reports on page 10) The doors are opening for POFC's ministry to enter Kenya through contacts with the Police Commissioner of that country. Another family has inquired about working full time as missionaries with Peace Officers For Christ and people from two other parts of the country are working toward becoming Regional Representatives. A family will be traveling to Russia this July and they have asked about taking with them information about the ministry of POFC.

Presenting the Gospel, restoring marriages, and discipleship are at the heart of this ministry. Maybe the Lord is not leading you to become a full-time missionary. However, there are many things you can do to minister to other officers without that kind of commitment. You can give a few names from your department, your church, or your Sunday School class who would appreciate receiving the Peacemakers' Journal. You could also seek out a few officers to meet along with you or someone on your church staff for discipleship. We want to encourage you and assure you that many pastors and lay people are excited about this growing outreach.

Most importantly, you could pray. The enemy is not content with just standing by as the Gospel is presented and marriages are restored. Consequently, his major attack will be directed at the leadership of this ministry. God is faithful and He is in control as He unfolds the plans He has for those working in law enforcement.

The fire is setting as our evening meeting comes to a close. But the hearts of those who shared are burning anew in thankfulness for what God has done. I close with an example of God's encouragement that always seems to come at the times you are the most frustrated or... impatient.

As the phone rang in our office I answered in a hurry because, as usual, I was busy and needed to leave to take care of other business. An older lady (older is always a relative term you know) said she had decided to call us a few weeks earlier when she heard a radio interview about Peace Officers For Christ. This dear woman's sole reason for calling was to encourage me and to let me know that a group of ladies would like to begin praying for this ministry on a daily basis. She went on to explain that the Lord had placed a burden on her heart for those people that he had placed in positions of authority. As our conversation came to an end, she quoted Habakkuk 2:1-3 from the Living Bible. I trust you will be as encouraged as I was with these words.

I will climb my watchtower now, and wait to see what answer God will give to my complaint. And the Lord said to me, "Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell others. But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"
Dave McDowell
General Director

I learned on my recent trip to Colorado that there is a topic on the hearts of peace officers across this country. It is a topic that crosses jurisdictions regardless of the size of the department, the city's crime rate, or specific department policy regarding the issue. Christian cops want to know, "Should I share my faith at work? Should I witness to other officers or crime victims while on duty? What should I do if my department discourages talking about religion on the job?" Peace officers around the country are divided on this issue. Regardless of what side of the fence you stand on, the arguments for and against witnessing on duty are legitimate and well-grounded in Scripture.

What I would like to do is give equal time to each argument, be as unbiased as possible, and try to give some insight on this very important topic. I don't assume to have all the answers, but hopefully, by God's grace, any division among the troops will become smaller and we will all have a clearer understanding as to our duty, both to our departments and to the Lord, when it comes to evangelism in the workplace.

A hot topic within the body of Christ today is the five points of Calvinism. Debates are waged daily across the country as to whether or not adhering to a 1-point, 2-point, 3-point, 4-point, or 5-point Calvinistic belief system is more in-line with God's plan for our lives. You can breathe easy. I have neither the theological prowess, nor the inclination, to attempt a commentary on the five points of Calvinism at this time. However, I would like to use the same premise in dealing with the issue before us. We'll call it the three points of "On-Duty Evangelism."

The three points of "On-Duty Evangelism" are the "Romans 13 Theory," the "Great Commission Theory," and the "Let My Actions Do The Talking Theory." As we go through this study, you will be able to determine which point you fall under now. Hopefully by the end of the study we will all know how the Lord wants each of us, individually, to address this issue. Ultimately, my goal in writing this article is to bring us together under one point, which we will discuss later. Let's take a look at the merits of each of the three points.

The Romans 13 Theory. "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."Romans 13:1,2.

Many departments either discourage or prohibit their personnel from talking about religion while on duty. I have spoken with several officers, some of very significant rank, who are well grounded in their faith and have more than a layman's command of the Scriptures, who believe that department policy, as long as it is lawful and reasonable, should not be violated. This group of officers believes that witnessing to officers or civilians should be reserved for an off-duty setting.

If a fellow officer approaches you for spiritual guidance, or the Lord puts on your heart to share the Gospel with a particular officer, this group is generally of the opinion that a time away from work should be arranged to minister to the other person. The "Romans 13" group thinks that it is inappropriate to go against department policy and use one's position of authority as a platform to evangelize others. Those who firmly believe in the "Romans 13" theory feel that if the Lord puts it upon your heart to witness to someone while on-duty. He will provide an avenue to evangelize the person away from work.

"The Great Commission Theory." "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying 'All authority has been give to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The group of officers who follow the "Great Commission Theory" do not agree with the before mentioned group. This group believes that they should share their faith regardless of the circumstances, and regardless of what department policy might say. However, this is not to say that they shun the authority of their department's guidelines. Officers who are in this category should not be considered rebels. They simply believe that "The Great Commission" calls them to answer to an authority higher than that of their department's policy manuals when it comes to evangelism.

Those who adhere to this theory believe that God has placed them in a special position to share to a segment of the population that may otherwise never hear the Gospel. Therefore, these officers feel a certain sense of urgency to share with as many officers as they possibly can, and to do so whenever the opportunity presents its self. If the sharing of their faith is in conflict with their department's policy, they trust in the Lord to protect them from discipline, sanctions, and possible ridicule from fellow officers who do not share their beliefs.

"The Let My Actions Do the Talking Theory". When I first became a Christian, a friend shared with me an old adage. It is a saying that I am constantly aware of and one that helps me to avoid hypocrisy in my faith: "I can't hear you. Your actions are speaking too loudly."

This phrase seems to represent a group of peace officers who believe that the best way to share their faith at work is to let it show through the caliber of work they do. It does little or no good to preach to another cop unless one is first respected as a cop. As with our first group, this group feels that it is inappropriate to evangelize indiscriminately at work. On the other hand, they look at their work product as a form of silent evangelism. Their position is that non-Christian officers will see their productivity and ask them why they work so hard. This will open the door to possibly share Christ with that officer.

Now that we've briefly looked at our three groups, we need to ask the big question. Who is right? Well, to a certain extent, they all are. Each group's position can strongly be argued with plenty of scripture to back up their point of view. However, it is possible to miss opportunities to share our faith if we hold fast to any particular position. I don't believe there is a totally black and white answer to this subject. There is a way, however, to bring us all together under the umbrella of one theory, "The Wisdom and Discernment Theory".

God's word is clear. We should obey the mandates set forth in Romans 13. We should all be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission. We should all strive for a walk which is void of hypocrisy and one that causes us to work diligently for the Lord.

Let me illustrate the Wisdom and Discernment Theory by sharing an experience I had "on-duty" sharing my faith. I recently spent a year and a half of my patrol career working traffic. Taking drunks off the road every night was a lot of fun. But one thing I never did get used to was making death notifications after a fatal collision. However, the Lord used such a situation to allow me to share my faith one Saturday afternoon.

I received a call of a collision- auto vs. pedestrian. Working traffic, you cringe every time you get a call like that because the situation is usually bad. It was toward the end of my shift and all the other traffic units were heading into the barn. The call was on the other side of town, and even rolling Code-3, I had about a ten minute response. Another deputy who was working a criminal car was closer and arrived a few minutes ahead of me. I asked him what the status was. He said it appeared to be minor injuries only and that I could ease up my roll.

When I arrived, I asked the deputy where the pedestrian was. He said she had been transported to the hospital with possible head injuries. When I reminded the deputy that he told me there were only minor injuries, he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "She was talking and coherent, and she just had a small bump on her head."

Apparently the pedestrian, an elderly lady, stepped off the curb in front of a car. The car was inching forward from a stop sign and never made contact with the her. However, when she stepped back to avoid being hit, she fell to the ground and hit her head. I went to the hospital and asked the paramedics how she was doing. They said, "Not well. She went into full cardiac arrest on the way in. We were able to bring her back, but it doesn't look good."

The lady spent the rest of that day in intensive care. Apparently that small bump on the head caused major internal bleeding in her brain. Her condition was listed as grave. I spent the remainder of the day trying to locate her family. I called the hospital the next morning to check on her condition and to see if they had been able to locate her family. Her condition hadn't changed, and a nurse gave me the phone number for the lady's daughter.

I called the daughter and introduced myself. The woman on the other end of the phone broke down in tears. "This is going to be a long day." I thought. She had a lot of questions about the accident. She explained that she had lost a sister about a year before in a auto vs. pedestrian collision. Not wanting to handle things on the phone, I asked if it would be alright for me to come to her home to speak with her. I had a feeling this wasn't going to be the typical contact with the family of an accident victim.

As I drove to the daughter's house, I felt an overwhelming desire to witness to this family. I quickly shrugged it off as my mind playing tricks on me in a stressful situation. I also reminded myself that I was on-duty, in uniform, and in a radio car. If I was wrong about what I was feeling, this could really backfire. So I started to pray. I asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. I prayed that He would make it clear to me what I should do. I prayed that what I was feeling wasn't just some need to boost my spiritual ego by telling a hurting person that I am a Christian. I prayed that if what I was feeling was of the Holy Spirit, that I wouldn't chicken out because of fear of repercussions. I was pretty nervous.

I pulled up to the front of the house. I saw a Christian symbol affixed to the back of one of the cars in the driveway. For a moment, I was optimistic. Then I thought of all the cars I've pulled over with the same symbol. I thought of the number of arrests I made of people in cars displaying the same symbol. I was thinking like a cop; I was skeptical. I walked up the driveway and prayed one more quick and spiritually profound prayer. Lt went like this. "Okay, God. Here goes nothing. Help me out."

I knocked on the door and a lady soon answered. She started to cry. "Boy. This is going to be fun, " I thought. She invited me into the living room, where she introduced me to her husband. They offered me a seat and I began to explain to them the circumstances surrounding the mother's accident. Once that was done, it was very difficult to make small talk to avoid doing what the Lord had put on my heart. As I looked around the living room, I saw a Bible on the floor next to the fireplace. Sitting on an end table, I saw a small wood carving of the same Christian symbol I had seen on the back of their car.

"So, where do you go to church?" I asked. They told me where they went to church and a little bit about their testimony. I could tell they were cautious about what they said. They didn't know me and I think they were a little taken aback by my question. When I told them where I attended church and that I was involved in the ministry, the lady started to cry again. She said, "I had a feeling when I talked to you on the phone that you were different. We prayed that the Lord would send a Christian police officer to our house." Now we were all crying.

The lady's husband shared his testimony with me. He explained how his wife's mother, the woman fighting for her life in the hospital, led him to the Lord shortly after he married her daughter. The two went on to describe their mother's life-long commitment to Christ and that despite the despair, they had a sense of peace about her condition. They knew that if she died, she would be with the Lord.

As we talked, the man kept looking at the wooden fish on the end table. I could tell it was very old. The craftsmanship of the piece was not that of a master woodworker. Yet, I felt that it had been touched by the Master's hand. The man picked up the piece. He gently ran his hand across it and started to cry. "Just after she led me to the Lord, I was working at a mission in Los Angeles. I made this while I was there. It is one of the most important things I own. It reminds me of where I was before I met the Lord, and where I am going now that I know Him." He paused for a moment and handed the wood carving to me. I thought he just wanted me to get a better look. "I want to thank you for coming over here and talking to us." He said. "I want you to have it."

I'm sure I sat there for several seconds with my mouth wide open, stunned by what he had just said. I thanked him and politely tried to hand it back to him. "I can't accept this. It means too much to you. Besides, I didn't do anything to deserve it."

The man insisted I keep it. I pulled the carving back to me and found myself gently running my hand across it, just as he had. I found myself fighting back tears that my cop ego said wouldn't be appropriate while in uniform. I quickly learned that I wasn't that tough. The three of us bowed our heads and prayed together. We prayed for their mother and they prayed for me.

I told them I had to get going. I said I would check in on them and their mother throughout the day. As I drove away from the house, I couldn't help but praise God for what had just happened. I kept checking my radio to make sure I wasn't activating the microphone and broadcasting my thoughts to the entire county. Moments later my car computer beeped, indicating I had received a message. I hit the button to acknowledge the message. "927-D at Henry Mayo Hospital." 927-D is our code for "person dead." The lady had gone to be with the Lord.

I turned my car around and headed back to the couple I had just left. The lady answered the door. "I know, Tony. The hospital just called. It's okay. We're at peace. Thank you for everything." I walked away feeling very insignificant in comparison to our great God. Yet, I felt more sure than ever that my God is sovereign, merciful, and true. Despite the sorrow, I felt blessed by what the Lord had let me experience that morning. The wooden fish now sits proudly displayed in my living room. It sits there not because I earned it. Rather, it sits there because I could never earn it. I could never earn anything that Christ freely gives.

I have made more death notifications than I care to count. I have dealt with hurting, wounded people on a daily basis for eight years. In that time, I have had opportunities to share with possibly thousands of people. But the Lord has selected only a handful of occasions where I actually spoke publicly, on-duty, about my faith.

I believe we must be careful, as Christian peace officers, to pray for wisdom and discernment before sharing our faith on-duty. We must be sure that what we do is as a result of the Lord's calling so we don't take advantage of our positions to glorify ourselves. I agree that the majority of our verbal witnessing should occur off-duty. The Lord has given us a job to do. Doing that job to the best of our abilities and submitting to the authority of our department's leadership should be our primary goal while we're on the clock. I agree that how we work will speak volumes about our faith and the Lord will honor that strong work ethic by presenting us with opportunities, away from the job, to share our faith with others.

After saying all of that, I just as strongly believe that we should never shun a clear call from the Lord to witness, regardless of the timing or the situation. My God is bigger than all my fears. My God is bigger than the prejudices of a lost and dying world. I can rely on God's word to provide me with the wisdom and discernment to make the right decisions in the toughest situations. I will fail only when I try to make those decisions on my own, without His leading. There is a test which I give myself before deciding to share my faith with someone. Who am I going to glorify by doing this? Will I give the glory to myself? Am I more concerned about what the person will think of me, instead of what they will think of my God? Is my ego involved in this in any way? If you can ask yourself these questions and your answers point to the Lord, you should not need to worry about who will find out if you witness to someone. If your actions are in line with God's will for your life, you are doing the right thing.

On June 18, 1994, Deputy Terry Wenger and Volunteer Chaplain Bruce Bryan of the Carson Sheriff's Station in Los Angeles County were shot by a man they had tried to help. Bruce died of his injuries, but not without leaving a significant impression on Terry's life. Terry wrote the above poem while he was recovering from his wounds.

To read the complete story of Deputy Wenger's encounter please go to the July 1994 PMJ.

Thanks For Prayers
Thank you for the request for departmental patches in your recent addition of Peacemakers ' Journal. As a 26 year veteran of the Fontana Police Department, and its current Chief of Police, I am well aware of the tremendous need to be praying for our agencies, our marriages, and our families. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the display booth, and thank you in advance for your future prayers.
Samuel S. Scott, Chief
Fontana Police Dept.

A Note From Academy Grads
Thank you so much for seeking me out! It is truly amazing for me to see how God has worked throughout this whole situation. I also want to thank you for the information you sent me. I was able to pass it around to some of my fellow LAPD recruit officers. They were all very excited to see that this kind of organization existed. I am enclosing the names and addresses of some of my fellow recruits. We will be graduating June 9, 1995. We are excited to start our new careers in law enforcement. Thank you so much for your interest in us.
Your servant in Christ,
Kris Stire

Andrews Wants More Journals
The total number of officers in our department is twelve, and about half are Christians. If possible, it would be nice to have six to eight copies of the Peacemakers ' Journal sitting around here. It just might speak to our visitors and, better yet, to our officers that need to know our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your faithful ministry,
The City of Andrews, Texas
Police Department

Encouraged to Share
Greetings! Just wanted to drop you a note...
Our church still looks back on your time with us with great appreciation. I just wanted to pass on an idea to others who receive the Peacemakers ' Journal. After reading my copy of the Journal, I placed it in my car. I then began to pray and ask God to bring a police officer across my path via a divine appointment (AND NOT one where I am getting a ticket! Just joking!) For example, one day after a month of praying, I saw a police officer parked in his car. I walked up and said something like this: "Excuse me sir. Hello, my name is Bette Bond. I wanted to thank you for serving our city. You policemen have a tough job... I really appreciate the work you do. I would like to give you a journal that might interest you, etc." (I then explained about Peace Officers For Christ International. Other times, as the Lord leads, I will share my own testimony). Anyhow, the police officers have all responded very positively! I just want to encourage other non-police officers like myself to also "pass the Word" on to police officers.
Blessings to you!
Dr. Bette Bond, Minister to College & Young Singles
Fullerton First Baptist Church
(California)

A Gift For The Paynes
I just got the January/February issue of the Peacemakers ' Journal with the mention of Ray & Barbara Payne. They had been guests at my church a couple years ago and we have been in touch a couple times since then. Here is a one-time gift to help them get started in their ministry with POFC. I hope to be able to continue with their support, to some degree, on a regular basis. I am a deacon in a small, independent, fundamental church not far from the Paynes. I work full time as a police officer, have a police and security training business and teach law enforcement and security topics at a vocational technical training center. I daily see the need for Jesus Christ in my dealings with the many people I contact. I hope and pray that Ray and Barb can have a successful part in ministering to my profession.
My prayers for your ministry,
Name withheld

Blessed by the Journal
I have been so blessed by your Peacemakers ' Journal. I am part of a family of police officers. My son has been a police officer in Anaheim for twenty-three years and my grandfather was a police officer in Indiana for many years as well. My granddaughter's husband is also an officer. The world as we know it through the carnal man is no friend to those placed in positions of authority. I thank our Savior every day for you all. "The banner over you is love."
Yours in Christ,
Robert Lawson

Response From Kenya
It was so good to get your letter a couple of days ago establishing contact with POFC, something I believe is very timely. It was also good to spend time with Jon
[Wetterholm] during his recent visit and to learn a little of your work. I was also very grateful for your initiative concerning the International Conference in London in October. I saw the closing date was end March and was getting a bit worried we might be getting too late. But the Lord undertook beautifully! By one of those strange coincidences, we were in the Isle of Man in July 93, (my aunt lives there) and heard about Robin Oake from my aunt's neighbor. We had a good long chat on the phone and he gave me the contact of the British Christian Police Association!

By copy of this letter, I greet Robin in the Lord and hope that indeed we will be able to get to London in October. We also hope that you [Dave Mcdowell] and your wife Nancy will be able to return to Kenya on your way to London. Pauline and I would love to host you for that trip. It really is tremendous that not only have you worked in Kenya, but you have also been an active Police (Peace) Officer for 14 years, and are now heading up POFC! Isn't the Lord great! I have copied your letter to Commissioner Shedrach Kiruki. I am sure he would have no objection to your mentioning the needs of the chapel he inaugurated in Kiganjo in the Peacemakers 'Journal. He would be extremely grateful for any assistance that might be forthcoming.
Yours Sincerely,
Mike Harries, Chief Inspector
Kenya Police Reserve

"Shots fired! Officer down!" As soon as those haunting words come over the radio, you can expect engines to be revving, sirens blaring, adrenalin pumping, and units rolling code-3 from every direction. It's deadly out there and the brotherhood is tight. When a fellow officer (male or female) goes down, a piece of you goes with them. Commitment and loyalty run deep. You've heard it and so have 1. "When my life's on the line I know another officer will be there! No one else will step in!" That sentiment is true, for the most part.

From the academy, to the jails, to the streets, the bond is there. Working on Satan's turf on a daily basis is a constant battle. Yet many officers have laid their lives on the line to protect and serve not only the public, but fellow officers whose lives were in danger. It's a call for help that won't be ignored. Many officers have given their lives for others while answering that cry for help.

It reminds me of the military and the actions that take place on the battlefield. Bombs exploding, shots fired, and people falling all around. The sound is deafening. Yet through it all the pleas for help and the cries of pain can be heard. Time after time you hear stories of those soldiers going back into the fire to help those who were left behind, rather than leave them to die or be captured by the enemy. Again, commitment and loyalty run deep. Many lives have been given in exchange for others.

The family is caught in a battlefield too. Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, are walking away from their vows, commitments, and sworn loyalties. As the bombs hit and the shots are fired, the cries for help go out. Unfortunately, they are all too often ignored. The casualty rate in the family is all too high.

Yet, through every war on the battlefield, there is One who is always standing when the dust settles. While He lived on earth, you would not have recognized Him as mighty if He were to walk by. There was nothing flashy about Him. He seemed just like you and me. He put His shoes on one foot at a time, just like the rest of us. He came to save, protect, and to serve. People came from miles around to hear and learn from this Man. He had faced the enemy in the battle many times and won. He didn't brag about it. He didn't flaunt His victories. He bore no medals and wore no fancy uniforms. He was a very loyal and deeply committed Man.

His bond of love ran deep. He was taken to court and tried for crimes He did not commit (Luke 22:47-23:25). He was criticized. The same public He came to serve turned on Him in a heartbeat. This same Man heard the cries and pleas for help from far and wide. You could find Him amidst the battlefields reaching out to help those who would grab hold of His outstretched hand. He was always there to carry someone off the battlefield to safety.

This Man gave His life on the greatest battlefield to save your life. This Man is Jesus Christ, the living Son of God. He was accused and convicted by the same people who, just days before, had praised and celebrated His triumphant entry into the city (John 12:12-19). He was crucified on the cross for crimes He did not commit (Luke 23:26-49). He gave His life so others could live (John 3:16). He gave His life for you and me. He died and rose again on the third day (Luke 24; 1-8). Jesus is alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father(Mark 16:19). He intercedes for us. He is Trustworthy, Loyal, and Committed. Jesus understands and will never turn His back on a sincere heart crying out for help. He has been through everything any one of us could ever experience (Hebrews 4:14-16). You can trust Him with your life.

Gini Thomas has been a long-time supporter of peace officers and their families. She started the Christian organization Peace Officers ' Loved Ones (P.O.L.O.)

When Dave McDowell heard that I was going to a conference in Nairobi, Kenya in late February, he asked me if I would take some copies of the Peacemakers ' Journal with me. He also wanted me to take information about Peace Officers For Christ International to Shedrach Kiruki, the Commissioner of Police in Kenya. Dave knew he was a Christian. I took the copies of the Journal and a letter of introduction from Dave. One afternoon I called the police headquarters and got through to Commissioner Kiruki's secretary. When I explained who I was, and what I wanted to talk to the Commissioner about, she put the call right through to him. I told him I would like to meet with him to further explain the ministry of POFC. I wanted to tell him what we have to offer his department by way of training, support, and encouragement. He agreed to meet me in his office the following morning.

The next morning, Joyce, Commissioner Kiruki's secretary, ushered me into his office and introduced me to him. I was received very warmly and soon determined, by his own testimony, that the Commissioner had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He really wants to make a difference for the Lord in his department. I explained in more detail the mission of POFC and shared with him the recent developments in Venezuela. He read Dave's letter of introduction with much interest, stopping to comment on a number of things it contained. He noted with interest that Dave and Nancy McDowell had been missionaries in Kenya and spoke favorably about the school in Mombasa where Dave had taught. He also responded to the fact that Nancy is a nurse by telling me that his wife "is a hospital matron." The fact that training in morals and ethics could be available to them through Moffat Bible College was of great interest to him. After tea was served, he told me he wanted me to meet with another policeman, Jediel Kiraithe, the next day. I closed the meeting in prayer. At the meeting the following day were several high ranking officials of the Kenya Police Department. Among them were Jediel Kiraithe and Mike Harries. I learned from these men that the Kenya Police Department is divided into eight different provinces with the downtown Nairobi Division being the largest. Jediel Kiraithe is the Senior Assistant Commissioner in charge of this division. Mike Harries is the Chief Inspector for the Kenya Police Reserve. A local businessman, and a strong Christian, Mike heads up the reserves on a volunteer basis. After Mike opened the meeting in prayer, we spent the next two hours discussing their concerns. I told them about POFC and what we have to offer. We talked about police chaplaincy. They were very interested in the timeliness of our visit. Just a couple of days before we met, they had received a letter inviting them to a Christian Peace Officers' conference in London later this fall. They all expressed interest in attending that conference.

In the meeting, Jediel Kiraithe explained that he was placed in his position to professionalize the Kenya Police Force. Everyone in attendance shared the common goal of enhancing the image of their nation's police officers. I explained to them the concept of a volunteer chaplaincy program and how such a program could help them achieve their goal. They liked the idea and talked about implementing such a program.

Something exciting that came out of the meeting was that Mike Harries expressed interest in becoming the POFC contact person to the Kenya Police. I accepted their invitation to go out to the Kenya Police College to meet their chaplain and tour the facility the following Friday.

Jediel Kiraithe set aside an entire day from his busy schedule for the trip to the college. When we arrived, we were greeted with a receiving line made up of the top people at the academy. They even had a photographer assigned to follow us around and document the visit. We convened in the office of the commandant, Deputy Commissioner G.K.K. Kinoti. Over tea, I explained the purpose of my trip. There were eight police officials, including the chaplain, at the meeting, and although I did not hear their individual testimonies, I was left with the impression that all of the top officials at the meeting were believers in Christ.

During our tour of the facility, they expressed areas of concern to me. The first is the desperate need for more books in their library. They specifically requested books on morals and ethics, police science, sociology, psychology, and human rights. The other thing they mentioned was the ongoing construction of a new chapel on the college grounds. They outgrew their current chapel long ago. The new one was started with the personal funds of Commissioner Kiruki. The walls are up, but there is a great deal of work yet to be done. They estimated that it would cost about $88,000 to complete the project. In the past few months, the Muslims have built a brand new mosque directly across the street from the unfinished chapel. This is a real disappointment to the Christians on the Kenya Police Department. In the African mind, the perception is, "Whose God is bigger?" One of the highlights of my time at the college was when we all stood in the middle of the chapel in a circle of prayer. We prayed that God would raise the necessary funds to complete the project.

Jon Wetterholm is a hospital chaplain at the University of California at Irvine hospital in Orange, California. We praise God for the way He used Jon on this trip. Please pray for those whom God has raised up to lead Kenya's police force in recent years.

As the Lord provides the necessary finances, Nancy and I, and possibly other representatives of the POFC board will be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya in October of this year. Please pray that the ministry of Peace Officers For Christ International might be established in Kenya! Our goal is to present an ethics and integrity curriculum that can be taught from a scriptural basis to police officers. We will be working with staff at Moffat Bible College in Kijabe to develop the possibility of training nationals to be police chaplains. As in Venezuela, this would be an historic event with far-reaching potential for the presentation of the Gospel among officers throughout Kenya. From Kenya, our goal is to go on to London with a delegation representing the Kenyan police force. We will be attending the first International Conference of the Federation of Christian Police Fellowships October 13-15. Robert Vernon, retired Assistant Chief from the Los Angeles Police Department, will be one of the keynote speakers. Please pray that the necessary arrangements can be made for this outreach opportunity. Pray that the Lord would burden the hearts of those people that he would want to have a direct part in making Operation Nairobi possible.

After Uruguay, Venezuela continues to be the least Christianized country in Latin America. The needs are very great here. There are very few Christians among the police in Venezuela and, as a result, there is a great deal of corruption and evil of every kind.

Please pray for the chaplaincy program in Baruta. As I have begun to spend time with the Baruta Police, Satan has mounted some strong opposition. Pray that the Lord will give me wisdom and grace to deal with the opposition. The officers in Baruta are struggling with many problems and the stresses of the job. So far this year, five officers have been killed. Pray that hearts will be open and that the "god of this world who is blinding their minds" will be frustrated in his work among these officers. Pray that this work will go forward in the power of the Holy Spirit.

April 20th, I met with one of the chiefs of the Metropolitan Police Department in Caracas. They have approximately six thousand officers and they work in the most dangerous areas of the city. The chief said he would like me to give talks to his officers on ethics and morality. I also submitted our chaplains program to him for his consideration.

Let us ask the Lord to open this door up wide so that we can have a powerful ministry among the Metropolitan Police.

Barb and I thoroughly enjoyed our First visit to Southern California! We went out to attend the POFC Couples Conference at Forest Home, but also had an opportunity to visit with our youngest daughter who is studying at the Master's College north of Los Angeles and to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time. What a wonderful time we had.

The next week, however, was a different story. Everyone will remember the crushing news of Wednesday morning, April 19, 1995. The senseless bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City brought a telephone call from a friend who is an FBI agent in Washington D.C. He simply said, "Ray, we've lost a lot [of our family] this time!"

A day later I got the news that three officers had been shot in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Two died and the third was in critical condition. Ironically (?), a weekend retreat where Barb and I were to conduct a three day seminar on coping with grief had been postponed only a week earlier. Also, a police chaplains' seminar, scheduled for April 24th to 27th, had been moved to the second week in May. I wasn't too pleased with that move because it was just before going to Washington, D.C. for the National Police Week activities, including the National Memorial Service and the two days of survivor's seminars with the C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) organization.

But God knows best. His timing is always perfect. His scheduling is precise (actually, He knows things, even in advance, that we do not know - Psalm 139:21)! We drove to New Jersey on Monday, April 24th, and were "straight out" (a New England term for "Really Busy!") for the next four days. It was a very bad scene. Two investigators serving an arrest warrant on a transvestite who had molested a young child and who also had assault weapons in his home (he had a previous weapons conviction), were shot. One of them died. The brother of one investigator was shot while assisting neighbors to safety. He also died.

The Lord gave so many opportunities to reach out to those who were beginning the long process of grief. The police chief is a believer and invited me to go to the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing held the day after the second funeral. Officers and chiefs were there as well as the local department, plus the families of the officers who were shot. It was comforting to learn of other believers in the family during those four days, even at the coalitions held after the funerals. Many ONLY ONE SON tracts were given out - many asked for them as they saw others reading them. PRAY that hearts will be touched by God's word and that many in our family will see their need of Christ and trust Him as their savior.

On the way home our weary Oldsmobile passed the 244,000 mile mark. We're excited to report a big answer to prayer regarding the car situation. A good friend who is a retired deputy inspector has started a car fund for us with a gift of $1,000.00! Everywhere we go, people tell us they are praying about our car - several have told us they pray every day.

We have made many new contacts in police circles in the last few months. Some are very encouraging. A woman called last fall to let us know about her desire to see some officer friends come to Christ. She wanted any helps we could give. After recent meetings in her area, we stopped by to visit her. What a joy to see how the Lord had "laid in her lap" this burden. "I didn't ask for it," she said. Please pray for Cynthia as she witnesses on a regular basis to three or four cops in her town. Is it too much to ask that God would raise up other Cynthia's in other towns?

Recently, on a return trip from eastern Massachusetts, we were trying to decide where to eat lunch. The options were the usual fast food places, a Chinese Buffet, or a seafood restaurant - famous in New England. Normally we would have grabbed a burger and kept right on going, but God had other plans. We were tired and really wanted a break, so we decided on the seafood place. When the waiter brought the check, I gave him an ONLY ONE SON tract, which he gladly accepted. We learned that his father is the Chief of Police in a New Jersey city that we had visited last year. He also told us that he had been in Desert Storm and was now on the list to get into the New Hampshire State Police. He told us about his cousin, a New Jersey State Trooper, who had been killed in the line of duty. We knew of the incident and also knew the trooper's widow very well. A "coincidence?" No. it was God's appointment and we continue to marvel at the way He moves us into the right place at the right time.

We're sort of weary too - in the work, but certainly not o/the work! It's exciting to see the Lord working in the hearts of the law enforcement family! We're seeing cops getting saved! We're seeing cops getting their priorities straightened out, especially regarding their wives and families. We're seeing cops getting serious about the things of the Lord, putting Him First in their lives, families and jobs. Please keep praying!

Ray & Barbara Payne are full-time missionaries working -with Peace Officers For Christ. Please pray that the Lord would burden the hearts of those who might support their ministry financially. A small amount monthly would make a significant difference and allow the Paynes to continue to travel along the East Coast to fulfill speaking engagements. Tax deductible contributions should be sent directly to POFC. Remember to indicate on your check or on a separate note that your contribution is for the Paynes. (Note: See the encouraging letter, "A Gift for the Paynes" in Letters section.)

While the recent POFC conference was still on our minds and hearts, Sheliah and I wanted to take a moment to express our heart-felt gratitude for having had the honor of sharing this incredible time with you. It was quite obvious that the Lord accomplished something special in each of our lives, and as the days continue from here, we desire to grow deeper in what was started. It was through the ministry of Peace Officers For Christ that we all had the opportunity to be greatly impacted by the Word of God, and the fellowship of His people.

We also wanted to take this opportunity to ask you again to specifically pray for the POFC ministry here in Colorado as we are just getting ready to put a committee together. We could use your prayers in the following key areas:

1. That God would bring the right people together for this initial committee.
2. That, once established, the committee could plan and implement the first Colorado POFC Dinner Banquet before the year is out.
3. That there will be receptivity to POFC throughout the various departments in the entire Front Range Area.
4. That, following a successful banquet, we could have as many as 20 couples and 10 individuals attend next years conference.
5. That Sheliah and I be guided in wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to be bold in our representation of the Kingdom and POFC.

We would be so grateful for your prayers in each of these matters, and we will be diligent to keep you informed of our progress. "But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." (Psalm 115:3,KJV)

I received a call at home, late one night. "Dad, I'm in jail!" As peace officers, we have made many arrests. Some of us have even worked in a custody facility and know what it's like inside those facilities. But when one's own flesh and blood goes astray, a myriad of different emotions are aroused. There is a sense of shame, especially as a cop, when you find your own child behind bars. This in anger. "How could he do this?" There is hurt and disappointment as you watch your kid screw up his life. There is pain and doubt as you begin to survey the past, looking for errors and mistakes you may have made being a parent.

What I would like to do is share some things I've learned. First, as you read the Scriptures, you will discover that many godly men have had ungodly children. God considers David "a man after My own heart, he will do everything I want him to do." ( Acts 13:22) Yet he had a son named Absalom who attempted to unseat him as king of Israel. He did this by leading a coup that resulted in his own death. Upon learning of his son's death, David said, "O my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you. O Absalom, my son, my son!" David knew he had made mistakes as a parent. But he also knew that ultimately each person is responsible for his own decisions. But it still hurt!

Second, I've learned that I'm not alone. Unfortunately, there are many whose offspring have brought them grief. But thank God for fellow believers who care enough to let us share our pain with them, without judging. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that the relationship between believers should be like a body "that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it." (I Cor. 12:25,26) If you are not part of such a fellowship, be it a church, Sunday school class, or fellowship group, I urge you to find one. God has not called us to be "Lone Ranger" Christians. Working a one-man car is all right for patrol, but the concept has no place in Christianity, Besides, we all need assistance in living this life. To admit this fact is not a sign of weakness. It is a step toward authenticity and maturity.

Third, there is hope. We are all familiar with the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. The son grows impatient, wants freedom from restrictions, and liberty to do as he pleases. In reality, the son is rejecting his father's values and lifestyle. The boy leaves without a forwarding address or phone number. Days stretch into weeks. Weeks linger into months. Yet the father receives no word from the wayward lad. What was Dad doing during all of this time? Note carefully what Jesus said. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him."

Each day. Dad was looking and anticipating that maybe today his son would return. In other words, he never gave up hope that somehow, someway God would turn his son around. He may have been thinking, "Since nothing is impossible with God, maybe today will be the day my son returns. "

It was the mother of Augustine who prayed for her son's salvation. When she learned that he was going to the city of Rome, the seat of the Roman Empire, with all of its vices and night life, she asked God that her son be prevented from going. But Augustine went to Rome. Yet it was in this large metropolitan city, with its many temptations, that Augustine came to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The lesson being that we should never give up hope that God can turn our children back to Himself, even in some of the most unusual places and situations.

Who knows? Maybe sometime soon you will receive a phone call. "Dad, I've sinned against God and you. I'm not worthy to be called your son. Can I come home?"

Arlan Mulford is an eight-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He is currently assigned to the Twin Towers Project in custody division. He is married with three children and attends the First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, California.

Thanks to the generosity of Gary Downing Patch & Pin
88621st Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

POFC lapel pins are now available. These beautiful lapel pins are in the shape of the POFC logo and are available directly from POFC for only S6.00. (Price includes tax and shipping). The silver and blue pins will also make a great gift or conversation piece.

Caught With His Pants On
A Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff stopped a car for a D.U.I, investigation. On contacting the passenger in the vehicle, the deputy noticed that he appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant. The deputy asked the man if he had any "dope" on him. The man told the deputy to go ahead and search him. Accepting this generous invitation, the deputy searched the man's pockets and found a bindle of cocaine. The man started to laugh and said, "You can't arrest me." Since the man didn't appear to be the type who would have diplomatic immunity, the deputy asked why not. The man smugly replied, "You can't arrest me because these aren't my pants. I took a shower at my friend's house and put his pants on by mistake. The man was rather disappointed when the deputy explained to him that the law read possession, not ownership. So the deputy proceeded to arrest the man for possessing cocaine in his friend's pants.

Excuse of the Decade
Two juveniles arrested in Santa Clarita, CA for residential burglary provided Sheriffs deputies with the mother of all excuses. It seems they had seen a big spider, and to get away from it, they had to crawl through the window of the residence. "Itsy bitsy lie...!"

Our thanks go to Lt. Steve Scarano of the Oceanside Police Department for the following two stories taken from The Informant, a publication of the San Diego PD Peace Officers Association.

Stick Around For Dinner
The owner of Patelli's Pizza in Spartanburg, S.C. knew something was wrong as soon as he walked in, but he couldn't quite place it. There were the refrigerators, okay, and the dough pressers, right, but there was something about the oven... Hmmmmm... Maybe it could be the set of legs and black tennis shoes sticking out of the pizza-oven vent. Rescue personnel spent the next couple of hours freeing burglary suspect Rickey Turley, who apparently assumed the vent was as large at the bottom as it was on the roof where he made his entry. It wasn't! Rickey finally made it to a roomier place of confinement, and the pizza shop owner went back to work, possibly wondering if he should have fired up a pepperoni and cheese before he called the cops.

We Know About Those Traffic Cops
Maybe the rumors are true - spend enough time in Traffic Division and you'll end up on a shrink's couch. Last year, a veteran traffic cop in Bangkok, Thailand, was suspended and placed in a therapy program after he switched all the lights at a major intersection to "green," then danced crazily around the street until other officers arrived to wrap him up. Residents assumed he had just snapped under the strain of dealing with Bangkok's notorious traffic jams. But now that he's been released and is back on duty, some think he's still a few bricks short of a full load.

In his explanation of the incident to the Bangkok Post, he said, "Through my sixth sense, I saw a procession (coming) of King Chulalongkorn. So I pressed all the traffic lights to give the procession a free passage. Then I danced to greet the procession." Very rational; very matter-of-fact. One problem - King Chulongkorn died in 1910.

Not long ago, a very wealthy man had a large party to celebrate his birthday. The man had many friends. Some were true and others hoped to have some of the man's wealth rub off on them. The party was lavish and the guests dressed for the occasion.

As the evening wore on, it came time to give the man his birthday presents. He sat on a chair in the middle of the room, with his guests surrounding him. One by one, he opened his presents. The man politely smiled as he opened each gift. Realizing that his friends had gone to a good deal of trouble and expense to give him the gifts, he took great pains not to let the bored look of a man who had everything show on his face.

He worked his way down through the pile of brightly colored, foil-wrapped gifts until but one gift remained. With a combined look of confusion and disdain, the man stared at the object on the floor. The sound of embarrassed murmuring spread quickly through the roomful of guests.

Feeling the uneasiness in the room, the man reached down to pick up the object. He tried to lift it with one hand, but it was too thick and bulky. A layer of dust covering the object made it all the more difficult to handle. With two hands, and a bit of effort, the man finally picked up the object. The crowded room, already tense, fell silent.

The object, now on the man's lap, was a book. It was older than any he had ever seen. Its worn leather cover was tattered, yet it covered the pages with an air of dignity. The cover was scratched as if thorns had been raked over its surface. The cover was held closed by a purple ribbon that looked like it was torn from a large piece of cloth. Upon closer inspection the man thought he could see drops of blood sprinkled on the purple ribbon. But he quickly dismissed this as just another quirk among an already strange set of circumstances.

The man untied the ribbon that, although badly frayed, did not unravel further with the man's nervous manipulation. As he slowly opened the book, it dawned on him that it had no title - at least not one the man could see. To the man's noticeable surprise, the condition of the pages within the book was not consistent with its cover.

The pages were of the purest white and felt like the most costly satin. Written on the pages, all of the pages, were names. The ink with which the names were written was a deep, scarlet red. The man read some of the names, none of which he recognized. He noticed that many were written in foreign languages. He recognized the romantic languages of France, Italy, and Mexico, and the artistic characters of the Asian languages. Yet there were just as many names written in languages he had never seen.

Page after page was filled exclusively with names. What struck the man as unusual was the way the names were written. The ink was of the same color and consistency on every page. Every name took up the same amount of space on the page. It was as if each name carried no more, and certainly no less, importance than any other. The man flipped through the pages for several silent moments. He carefully closed the book and looked up at his bewildered guests. "Who gave me this book?," he asked.

The crowd of smartly dressed people parted slowly. A small boy emerged from the crowd and stood in front of the man. "I brought the book, sir, but the gift is not from me. If you will open the book to the last page, there you will find your gift."

The man opened the book, keeping a wary eye on the plainly dressed little boy. He flipped to the last page and, just as before, saw lists of names. "If you will look beneath the last name, I believe it is Terry Brown, you will see your gift." The boy said.

The man ran his finger down the page to the name Terry Brown. He looked below the name and saw only a blank space. His puzzlement now turned to frustration. "What's going on? Where's the gift?," he demanded.

"Oh. I'm sorry sir. I think you misunderstand what the gift is. The gift is not the book. Nor is it anything you may have been looking for in the book. The gift is the opportunity to have your name written in the book." The boy explained.

Becoming angry, the man stood up from his chair. He gripped the book so tightly that his fingers turned white. "Who are you? I don't know you, son. By looking at you I can tell you're not here with your parents," he said.

"Look around you," the man continued. "I have more money than I could ever possibly spend. I have a house full of people, some of whom I even like. I have spent the better part of the evening opening beautiful, expensive gifts, and you expect me to be impressed with a blank space in a book of names."

The man reached into his jacket and pulled out a pen. "You have an unusual way of getting autographs, kid. As soon as I sign your book, I think you should go."

He tried to scribble his name on the page. To his surprise, the pen would not write. He asked his guests if anyone had a pen that worked. Time after time he tried to write his name on the page, but no pen would work on the page of satin.

"You don't understand, sir." The boy said confidently. "The opportunity is not to write your own name in the book, but to have your name written in the book. You see, there is nothing you can do on your own to earn your name's place in the book. To have your name written in the book is a free gift that can only be given by the Owner of the book. Having your name in this book will secure you a room in a mansion far greater than yours, for all eternity."

"Who is the Owner of this book?" The man asked. "I'm sure I could afford whatever price he is asking."

With an almost angelic look on his face, the boy said, "The Owner of the book has already paid the price for you. The Owner is my Lord, Jesus Christ."

"Oh. So this is about religion. Interesting approach, kid." The man said. "Look, I appreciate your beliefs, and I'm sorry I was rude; but nothing is free in this world. I'm a good person. I give to charities. Everything I have, I've earned. I've never stolen anything from anyone. When my time comes. I'm not worried about where I'll end up. Like I said, I'm a good person."

The man closed the book and handed it to the boy. "Thanks, son. I'm not interested. Since it looks like the party is over. I'm going to bed. You all can show yourselves out. Thanks for coming. Someone make sure the kid gets home."

As he walked up the majestic spiral staircase, he turned to see his guests huddled around the little boy. He could hear them questioning the boy about the Owner of the mysterious book. He shrugged his shoulders, stepped into his dark bedroom, and closed the door behind him.

A short time after the party, the man became very ill. All of his money and all of his possessions could not save his life. Sadly, he soon passed away. As the man breathed his last, he found himself standing before a Great White Throne. Seated on the throne was One the man could only describe as God. Standing next to the throne was someone he recognized from his life on earth. It was the little boy who brought the book to his party.

The man asked the One on the throne, "Are you Jesus Christ?" "I Am." He said. "Why didn't you accept my gift of eternal life that the boy presented to you? The book he showed you was the Book of Life. There is no greater gift you could have received and no greater gift you could have rejected."

The man's jaw dropped and his eyes filled with great sorrow as the Lord pulled the old tattered book from His spotless, majestic robe. The Lord gently caressed the book's cover and said, "The leather cover is made from the sandals I wore as I shared My gospel throughout Judea. The scratches in the leather are from the crown of thorns I bore for you. The purple ribbon is from the robe I wore as I was publicly mocked; much the same way you mocked me at the party. The drops of blood on the ribbon are part of what I shed for you on the cross. The pages are whiter than snow because all the names written in the book are of people who were washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. These people were forgiven of their sins because they accepted the gift of eternal life that only I can give."

The man began to sob for he knew how this conversation would end. "But Lord!" He cried. "I've been a good person! Please don't send me away!"

"I'm sorry," said the Lord with a tear in His eye. "I do not wish anyone to perish. I am the God of mercy, but I am also Holy, Righteous, and Just. Your deeds cannot save you. I did not know you, so you must depart from Me."

The man walked to an open door with his face in his hands. The doorway was as black as coal. In the distance he could see roaring flames. The man stepped through the door, never to be seen again.

The boy stood next to the throne. His tear stained face glistened from the glow of the Royal Throne. "I'm sorry, Lord. I tried to share You with that man. I couldn't make him listen." The Lord softly cradled the boy's chin in His hand and lifted his head. "One never fails when one shares Me with others. The failure is when one does not take up his cross and follow Me. Your work at the party was not in vain, my little one."

The Lord pointed to a group of twelve people that were now standing in front of the throne. The boy wiped his eyes and saw that the group of people had all been guests at the man's party. They had seen the book for what it really was. They accepted the Lord for who He really is. It was the perfect gift, paid for by the ultimate sacrifice, and given by the only One who could give such a gift.

One by one the members of the group stepped up to the throne, bowed humbly, confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and spoke their name. The Lord reached down and helped each one to his feet. With tears of joy now streaming down His face, He embraced each one as if they were His only child. "You may enter into Paradise, for your name is written here, in the Book of Life."

One day, all of us will stand before the Lord. Will He show you your name in the Book of Life?

Dear friend:
Many people ask, "What does POFCI do?' Well, I thought about that and basically the ad that we have placed in a number of police magazines says it all.

The ad reads, "POFCI is an international organization of peer support and we offer free police training to police departments: domestic and foreign." That's it. Now, of course there is a little more involved. Upon request, we offer the Peacemakers Journal, our POFCI magazine, which is written by peace officers for peace officers. We ask officers to look through our WEB page for current information about our ministry and to look for other Christian police organizations and dates of different Christian meetings.

We are an information-clearing house where peace officers can read about other Christian officers in our magazine, WEB page, and newsletter. We encourage Christian peace officers to meet other officers at breakfasts, retreats, and finally for coffee over the hood of a police unit. Here they can share their frustrations about the job, the media, the joys of the chase and joys of their family.

It is our desire to show the world and the law enforcement community that a peace officer can do the job and still be a Christian the Bible teaches. The basic principle that "Jesus loves me this I know," is a start of a growing relation with the living God, not a one-time membership. This is a growing, living relationship that continues to grow daily. Graduating from the academy did not make you a police officer. That was just the start. Everyday you are becoming a better cop: there are bad days; there are good days, and sometimes even marvelous days. The Christian officer realizes that each day, good or bad, in another day to serve the Lord.

So what is a Christian law enforcement officer to do? I will give you a few simple basic nuts and bolts principles on how to serve God:
1. Read or hear the Bible daily.
The closer to God you get, the more Christ-like you become.

3. Worship God for who He is the giver of your every breath.
Thank him for giving you life.

4. Talk about Him with others.
Pick your battles, but standup for Moral and Ethical issues in conversations with co-workers at your department.

The POFCI board and I want to thank you for your interest in Peace Officers for Christ International. Please feel free to contact us with comments, questions, and inquiries.
In His Service,
Terry Hart
POFCI Outreach Director

Page last updated 13 May 2002

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Peace Officers for Christ International

Peacemakers Journal - July/August 1995