Update: Deputy’s Son Raising Funds for Toys for St. Jude’s Kids

We recently shared the story of Grayson (read Deputy’s Son Raising Funds for Toys for St. Jude’s Kids), the son of a Deputy in Virginia who is raising funds and toys for St. Jude’s kids in honor of his friend Westin who died of cancer.  Westin’s 10th birthday would have been this weekend – Saturday, July 12th.

In honor of Westin, a party was held on Saturday.  Lots of toys were donated (pictured), with many more on their way.  Covered Law Enforcement was honored to donate two police motorcycle ride-on toys to support Grayson’s efforts!

We congratulate and commend Grayson!  He is going to reach his goal of $1,000 in toys donated by the end of this month.  There’s still time to help.  All of the information is in the previous post if you would like to make a donation or send a toy for St. Jude’s Kids.

Blessings!

Being Sensitive to the Spirit: Why Policing Needs the Prophetic Voice of Christian Cops

One evening last week, I made the usual rounds through my very heavily traveled patrol district that includes Interstate 75 and the second largest shopping mall in Tennessee.  Given that our city is also very accommodating to the homeless, the issue of panhandlers at the interstate exit ramps and shopping center entrances is a frequent source of calls.

I won’t spend time getting into the issue of whether or not people should stop or give money to panhandlers, although I have my opinions based on a great deal of experience.  I will say that the members of our community have demonstrated their concern for the homeless through the establishment of a community kitchen that feeds thousands of meals a week, a homeless health care clinic in addition to the standard free public health care clinics, a food bank, a coalition of other churches and non-profits that support the poor and transitional, and a strong network of mental health resources to assist with the systemic issues behind homelessness.  And with all of those resources available, the community has established that they will not tolerate panhandling both through the passing of city ordinances and by virtue of the fact that citizens call police constantly to report their locations.

In a matter of a few hours that evening, I encountered three panhandlers.  With the compassion that all people – and especially Christians – should have for all humans who are created in the image of God, I always talk with respect and concern for the individual.  I ask for their story.  I check their history.  I attempt to determine if there is something more I can do to help even as I do my job of sending them away.  The first has been previously warned countless times and has been issued a number of citations.  He’s burned bridges with family and community resources.  The second was a similar situation.

Then, I encountered Roger.  But before I tell you about Roger, I want to tell you about a young lady from the previous night.  Her mother called from a state 10 hours away to say she was in a manic state of her bipolar disorder.  She was off her meds, coming down from a crack cocaine high, and left with a trucker in nothing more than a t-shirt and sweatpants.  He dropped her off nearby, and now she was at the Waffle House with no money, no food, and no place to go.  In her very talkative manic state, she cursed out the Greyhound Bus attendant who then refused her service back home.  A hotel ran her off for the same reason.  Now, Waffle House wanted her gone.

I was able to speak at length with her mother, gain her cooperation, and transported her to our mental health crisis walk-in center for evaluation, treatment, and further assistance.  Before that, I stopped by Wendy’s and bought her a meal to eat on the way.  Why do I tell you that?  I’m not asking for pats on the back, but to make a point.  There are thousands of cops around our country who have good hearts and good morals and go above and beyond to help people.  Their stories seldom make the news.  It doesn’t take a Christian cop to do good deeds.

I would suggest to you that Christian cops should be more sensitive to the needs of those they encounter, and with a heart of compassion and love for Christ, minister to the felt needs of the poor.  We should do more and more regularly as we look at the world through the filter of Christ’s love.

But Christian cops who are in fellowship with Jesus Christ and deep communion with His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, can and should do what others cannot.  That’s where Roger’s story comes into play.

Roger explained that he has always struggled with alcohol addiction, but at one point went through rehab and had been sober for a number of years.  He was a truck driver.  He felt humiliated begging others for help.  I only located a few contacts with police, and he was honest enough to admit he had been warned twice (while the first guy who had received all the citations lied and said he never had been warned – as if I couldn’t find out).  Then, in 1991, his life began a downward spiral.  His brother was murdered, and he confessed that he was dealing with bitterness and unforgiveness for the man who committed the atrocity.  He was angry that the man was now out of prison.  He started back drinking, and has struggled ever since.  He got traffic citations that he couldn’t pay.  He lost his license…then his job.

Roger said, “When a member of the family is killed, it kills the whole family.”

He said that his 74-year-old mother has begged him to come home and get on his feet, but his pride keeps him from going home.  He said she prays for him and tries to talk to him about the Lord.  He knows the story of the prodigal son.  He knows he has to forgive, but doesn’t know how.  As hundreds of cars passed by during rush hour traffic, Roger wept as he talked with me.

The Holy Spirit quickened me to share with Roger what I have shared with many people – the background of Jeremiah 29:11.  I explained how the children of Israel were in bondage.  False prophets told them it would be short-lived.  Jeremiah told them to settle in…to plant gardens, build houses, raise families, and prepare to dwell there (Jeremiah 29:5).  Their sin and disobedience to God brought them into captivity, and they despised it.  Psalm 137 tells us how much they hated Babylon.  They wept, they stopped singing, they put down their instruments…they wished the Babylonian babies were hurled over cliffs and crushed on the rocks (Psalm 137:9).

But, in the midst of their place of despair, the voice of God’s Spirit breaks in to say, “I know right where you are, and this isn’t the end.  I have plans for your life, and they are good plans” (Jeremiah 29:11).

And at that moment, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with a part of this passage that I have read and quoted many times, but never thought about in the sense of forgiveness.  The Spirit of the Lord said, “This is the message for Roger.  Tell him.”  Jeremiah 29:7 says, “Pray for the peace of those holding you captive.  Pray for their peace and prosperity.  In their peace and prosperity, you will have the same.”

Standing on the side of the road, I told Roger, “The Lord said the answer for you is to pray for the man whose actions hold you hostage.  Pray for him to be blessed and prosper.  Pray even if you don’t feel like it.  Pray even if you don’t think you really even mean it.  Pray even if it doesn’t seem fair.  Pray for him.  That is the key to your freedom from bitterness and unforgiveness. Your situation is going to change.”

I told Roger I would join him in prayer.  I also encouraged him to go home.  His mother needs him to be there and help out.  And I asked him to find me one day in the future when his life has been transformed by the power of God’s grace and forgiveness.  By faith, I am believing to see Roger in Heaven if not before.

Good deeds certainly meet needs.  But they will never reach down into the depths of sin and despair to minister true change.  Only Jesus Christ can do that.  Only a Word from the Lord spoken in a timely season can do that.  Only a Christian cop who has an ear for what the Spirit is saying can do that on the streets of our communities.

I often say that Christian cops are missionaries in the truest sense.  We are working on the home missions field, going into places many Christians or church ministries will never reach.  And Covered Law Enforcement is committed to supporting and strengthening the faith of Christian cops, as well as reaching those who are not born again with the life saving message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

I mentioned in a previous blog post about a man who argued that Christians cannot and should not be police officers.  This example is just one reason why Christians MUST serve in this capacity.  Oh that the Spirit would speak to us and lead us to bring about change in our communities…change that can never come from good deeds alone.  We need the prophetic voice of Christian cops walking the streets and speaking the oracles of God.

One of my favorite Scriptures, Acts 10:38, says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”  My prayer is that you and I will walk in the Holy Spirit anointing of God, ministering in the power of the name of Jesus of Nazareth, doing good and healing all who are oppressed because God is with us.  And just for the record, Peter made that statement in the house of a cop!

Also in this series: Law Enforcement in the Scriptures

Deputy’s Son Raising Funds for Toys for St. Jude’s Kids

Cops are great about rallying around great causes.  Just last weekend, I attended a benefit breakfast to raise funds for an officer who was diagnosed with brain cancer.  I’m guessing somewhere around 1,000 people showed up to raise nearly $5,500 in just a few hours.  We’re still asking you to join us in praying for Nathan Rogers, that God would heal him and draw him closer in faith.

Through our ministry, several years ago we raised over $1,800 to help an officer’s family travel back to New York to visit the officer’s mother who was dying of cancer.  She died shortly after the visit, but had the opportunity to see her son and newborn granddaughter first.  Their family will forever cherish that visit.

Last year, nearly $2,000 was raised to assist a high school senior named Gabby who is an undocumented immigrant, brought to the United States as an infant by a family member who ultimately neglected her.  Gabby, who is pursuing a Criminal Justice degree and a career in the Navy, is now well on her way to citizenship, and will be attending college in the Fall.

And then there’s the time, six years ago just this week, that officers and families rallied around my family after my wife gave birth to our daughter then suffered a massive heart attack 8 days later.  I encourage you to take a few moments to read the very inspiring and faith building story (Read Meredith’s Story).  Many donations of time, food, money, and personal days were given to help us make it through that ordeal.

Support, encouragement, and prayer for one another really are key characteristics of Christian community.  Combined with gifts, which are a tangible expression of our love, these offerings of love become the visible expression of Christ’s love to the world.  We become His hands and feet.

While everyone can’t help in every situation, all of us can do something occasionally.  We can’t promote every situation brought to us, but I was contacted this week about one that is very compelling.

Grayson (pictured above) is the son of Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Payne in rural Wise County, Virginia.  As a child, he received treatment for an illness that has allowed him to not only survive, but thrive.  Unfortunately, his good friend Westin (pictured to the right) was not as fortunate.  Westin passed away in February 2010 from Neuroblastoma cancer (Read Westin’s Caring Bridge Story).  Grayson can’t give birthday or Christmas presents to Westin, who would be 10 this July 12th, so he has decided to raise funds – $1,000 – and give toys to the children at St. Jude’s in Memphis.  One of the ways he is raising funds is by committing to run 100 miles in Westin’s honor (Follow Grayson’s Running Blog on WordPress).

As the son of an LEO, when Grayson was sick he received lots of police related toys.  He noted that many of the kids at St. Jude’s dream of growing up to be police officers, and love police related toys.  So, he is specifically asking for donations that will enable the purchase of 6 police patrol battery operated ride-on toys and other police related toys or gifts.

Covered Law Enforcement will be making a purchase of toys for children being treated at St. Jude’s in Memphis on what would be Westin’s 10th birthday – Saturday, July 12th.  If you would like to assist us with this purchase, please make a tax deductible donation online.  Be sure to include a memo for “St. Jude’s Toys.”

If you would like more information, please visit the linked pages or contact Westin’s Foundation at hopeforwestin@aol.com.  If you would like to mail a toy or contribution directly, be sure to mark them “Running 2 Give; Toys for St. Jude’s” and send them to:

Westin’s Foundation

1801 Holton Avenue

Big Stone Gap, VA  24219

 

Blessings to you for all you do.  Keep sharing the message of Jesus Christ!

           

Law Enforcement in the Scriptures

Our ministry was contacted recently by someone who adamantly asserted that Christians cannot and must not serve in law enforcement or the military.  While this individual raised some valid questions that would have made for great discussion, ultimately we decided that the best response was no response.  The individual seemed very contentious, misrepresented the Scriptures, and obviously has a clear agenda against those serving in law enforcement.

There are several scriptural principles or examples that lend wisdom and direction to an appropriate response in these situations (which is, in some cases, no response), not the least of which was Jesus’ response to the religious leaders of the day and even Satan himself.

Nevertheless, this situation does create an opportunity to delve further into the Scriptures, study to show ourselves approved, and offer devotionals that might encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters in law enforcement.

One great resource is found on the FCPO website under the “Resources” tab, found here and reposted below.  It lists both Old and New Testament passages where the role, service, office, or type of law enforcement officers is found either implicitly or explicitly.  Our encouragement is that you would use this resource as a devotional to research this calling under which we operate.  Also, visit the FCPO website and consider entering into Christian fellowship with others serving in the Criminal Justice system by joining or leading a local chapter in your area.

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 3:24 – Police of Eden – Cherubim – Awesome police with weapons (better than a “Glock”).

Genesis 4:8 – First Homicide – Cain and Able

Genesis 34:2 – First rape case – Dinah daughter of Jacob

Genesis 37:20 – First Conspiracy to commit murder – Joseph’s brothers

Genesis 37:24 – First Jail – Joseph in cistern

Genesis 37:31 – Forensics – Blood stained coat

Genesis 37:36, 39; 40:3,7; 41:9 – Potiphar – Top Cop – captain of the Guard – Prison Warden; Chief Executioner

Genesis 39:20 – Prison – Potiphar’s home

Genesis 40 – Cupbearer – Secret Service – Test the food and provide security

Genesis 42:17, 24 – House arrest

Exodus 6:8 – Raise your right hand in court

Numbers 13 – Undercover work – Joshua & Caleb

Joshua 2:1 – Undercover work – Spies to search out Jericho

1 Samuel 22:14 – David – Special protection – bodyguard to Saul

1 Samuel 26:15 – Abner as a personal bodyguard

1 Samuel 28:2 – bodyguard to Philistine King Achish – David

1 Kings 10:5 – Secret Service – Cupbearers to Solomon

2 Kings 1:9 – Leadership Management – Police sent to take Elijah into custody

2 Kings 11:4-12 – Security force, Secret Service, White House Division – Temple police, bodyguards – guarding the Temple – Religious police

1 Chronicles 18:17 – Benaiah – David’s bodyguard

Nehemiah 1:11 – Secret Service – Leadership Management

Nehemiah 4:9 – Shift work

Nehemiah 7:1-3 – Police protections for a city – Gates, gatekeepers, duty, citadel, Police Chief Hananiah

Job 24:1-4, 13-17 – Criminals

Psalms 44:6-8 – Protection not in weapons

Psalms 101 – A Police Officers Prayer

Proverbs 29:2 – Results of righteousness among police (authority)

Isaiah 9:7 – Justice and righteousness belong to together

Isaiah 33:15-16 – Godly police Motto

Isaiah 56:10-12 – Lazy and blind police

Isaiah 62:6 – Watchmen on your walls

Jeremiah 40 – Good officer – Nebuzaradan

Ezekiel 9:1 – Heavenly Police – Spiritual realm – guardian angels over cities, nations & individual people

Ezekiel 10:12 – Cherubim – Heavenly police

Ezekiel 28:14-19 – Satan was a heavenly guardian Cherub but was fired for being a bad cop

Ezekiel 33:2 – Watchman – Police guarding a city

Daniel 2:17 – Arioch – commander of the Kings guard – good officer

Daniel 3:2 – Sheriffs

Amos 2:6-8 – Corruption and criminal activity

Amos 5:7, 10, 12 – Those opposed to justice and righteousness, perjury, bribes

Amos 5:15 – Justice and the court system – (hate evil, love good)

Amos 6:12 – Justice into poison, righteousness into bitterness

Micah 6:8 – good Police Motto – (Justice, Mercy, Godliness)

Zechariah 9:11 – Jail (waterless pit – cisterns)

 

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10 – Centurion of Capernaum – Jesus healed servant

Matthew 27:54; Luke 23:47 – Centurion at the cross

Matthew 27:65 – Police at tomb

Mark 15:16 – Military police from the Palace

Luke 3:14 – Honest Police

Luke 22:52 – Temple Police

John 7:45 – Temple Police

John 18:12 – Military Police

Acts 4:1 – Military Police over the temple – (Captain)

Acts 9:2 – Special Deputy – Saul

Acts 10 – Chief of Police – Cornelius

Acts 16:22-30 – Jailer, (corrections) – The jailer, a cop, asks the most important question in the Bible

Acts 16:35 – Court officers

Acts 17:9 – Bonding practice

Acts 17:31 – Jesus as the Supreme Judge

Acts 21:31 – Riot Police – Military Police

Acts 24:1 – Lawyer – Tertullus – bought and paid for

Acts 24:22 – Claudius Lysias – Police Commander in charge of Jerusalem

Acts 25:3 – Festus in charge of the police – both civilian and military

Acts 27:1-3 – Julius the Marshall – Imperial Regiment

Acts 28:16 – Paul’s house arrest

2 Corinthians 10:4 – Heavenly weapons available to Christian police

Ephesians 6:10-20 – Protective gear

Philippians 1:12 – Corrections Officer guarding Paul – Palace Police

Philippians 4:21 – Palace personnel, Palace police among them

Revelation 20:1 – Angelic Police arrest Satan and detain

Also in this series: Being Sensitive to the Spirit: Why Policing Needs the Prophetic Voice of Christian Cops

Latest News & Updates from the FCPO

One of the greatest blessings for me, Jonathan, in law enforcement ministry has been my membership in and partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers.  There is no substitute for the mentoring and Christian fellowship that comes from this incredible group.  I am always encouraged to see what God is doing in ministry to law enforcement throughout the country, as well as all of the great events that regularly take place.

I thought I would share with our readers one of the latest email newsletters in case you don’t already receive it.  If you are not an active or retired law enforcement officer, dispatcher, or other first responder, thank you for your support, encouragement, and ongoing prayer for all of us – and especially the Covered Law Enforcement ministry!

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Greetings!

We’d like to take a moment to share with you what God is doing through one of our FCPO members in Seattle.  There are also several upcoming events and updates that you should know about.  Don’t forget to visit the FCPO website often for the latest news, events, and updates.

View the FCPO Website!

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Beds for Kids Project in Seattle

Police officers are ambassadors for Christ sent into the highways and hedges with the opportunity to impact lives in unique ways. The Seattle Times recently reported on a not-so-conventional ministry outreach by two Seattle officers – one of whom is Jeremy Wade. Jeremy was recently featured in our article Seattle/NW Officers of Faith on the move for Christ.

Please take a moment to read the article Police fill a need with ‘Beds for Kids,’ other projects and celebrate what God is doing in the NW region.  Good job Jeremy, and Praise the Lord!

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Breaching the Barricade Conference & Officer Appreciation Day

Every October, Jim Bontrager and his team host an incredible weekend of ministry and family fun in Elkhart, IN.  This year is no different, and we encourage you to attend if at all possible.

View Conference Details, Posters, and Register Online

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Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Rev. Lamar S. Moore

On Saturday, June 21, 2014, we celebrated the life and ministry of Rev. Lamar Stanley Moore (Executive Director of the FCPO).  Throughout the service, several themes surfaced.  Lamar loved and served Jesus Christ.  Lamar loved and served his family.  Lamar loved and served his church.  Lamar loved and served the FCPO.  Lamar loved and served everyone he encountered.  Lamar loved and served.  His life will be remembered, and his legacy will continue through all of the many lives he impacted.

Please continue to pray for Lamar’s wife Vickie, his children, grandchildren, and multitude of family and friends.  Also pray for the FCPO that we will be faithful to Christ and the legacy Lamar leaves behind.

During the celebration of life service, the following tribute video was presented.  We thought you would like to see it as well.  View the Tribute to Rev. Lamar S. Moore.

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Facebook Roll Call!

Stay connected by checking out these great FCPO chapter and affiliate ministry pages.  Be sure to become a fan by “liking” each page, and spread the word!  If there’s not a chapter near you, consider starting one today.  Contact FCPO-USA for more information about starting chapters.

FCPO-USA

FCPO – Central Florida

FCPO – Dallas/Fort Worth

FCPO – Denver

FCPO – Fayette Chapter (GA)

FCPO – Grand Valley (CO)

FCPO – Houston

FCPO – Miami-Dade (FL)

FCPO – Visalia (CA)

Mike “MC” Williams & The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry

Covered Law Enforcement

Mike Dye of Peacekeepers

The Centurion’s Faith (Forsyth County, GA)

Code 4 Ministries (Holly Springs, GA)

10-11 Network (FCPO Modesto)