ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com, Web Site: www.assistnews.net


Wednesday, April 21, 2004

POLICE OFFICERS REVIVED, REFRESHED AND BLESSED AT ANNUAL UK CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE

By Patrick Reilly
Special to ASSIST News Service


STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE, UK  (ANS) -- “Policing Under Pressure” was the theme of this year’s National Christian police association (CPA) conference that was hosted by members of The Greater Manchester Police force at the New Life Centre in Romiley, Stockport, Cheshire.

Chief Superintendent Neil Wain of the GMP, one of the organizers of the event confessed that because of his recent promotion in the police force and his workload the Conference was “ a bit of a last minute dotcom” event but God was there and touched the lives of all those who attended.

During the two day conference, serving police officers were encourage by David Oliver a Christian minister , management consultant and author to consider that while on and off duty they are in the position that God has anointed them for and to realize that they are in full time ministry. David gave two seminars, Work, Prison or place of Destiny? And I can’t wait for Monday morning!

REACHING VICTIMS WITH THE LOVE AND POWER OF GOD

A moving time of testimonies from CPA branch secretaries from across the country revealed how they are putting their faith into practice alongside their policing duties not only among their work colleagues but to members of the public whether victims or villains.

Dudley Martin a traffic cop spoke about how he responds to emergency calls over his radio with prayer. In one such call a young baby suffered head injuries following a serious RTC (road traffic collision). At the hospital the seriously ill little boy was taken into intensive care where a scan revealed severe brain damage. Over the next few days Dudley and some of his colleagues prayed fervently. He kept in close contact with the family and to his joy the child made an amazing recovery. “That is a powerful God who is answering prayers in everyday life, out there in the thick of it, so be encouraged.”

FROM CRIME TO CHRIST

Julie Parsons told the conference when she joined the police force she was sure that God would use her to evangelize among her colleagues but she felt she lost the opportunity when she was made a custody sergeant in charge of the cells in one of Northamptonshire’s police stations.

A prisoner arrested for being drunk and incapable was suffering from a terrible hangover and a heavy heart when he was finally sober enough to be released. Looking in the Mirror, he turned to the custody sergeant and said “What a mess I am in, I need to repent! I need to get right with God!”

That was all Julie needed to hear and taking him into an interview room led him in a prayer of repentance where he gave his life to Christ.

As a result of this prisoners held in police custody now have more to read than the writing on the cell walls at two of the counties police stations, Julie has produced a magazine called people like me which is placed in the cells and is full of testimonies of people who’s life styles once made them enemies of the police and God but who have now found forgiveness and a new life in Christ. The magazine has the backing and blessing of the counties Chief Constable Peter Maddison who “fully supports the initiative recognizing the potential for it to reduce Crime” After a six month trial of the magazine other forces have expressed an interest.

POLICING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Wherever you are in the world as a police officer the Pressures are the same.

Guest speakers at this year’s conference included Detective Donald Sanchez of the NYPD who serves in the infamous Bronx district of the city. He gave an emotional heartfelt thanks to British police officers who supported and ministered to the people of New York immediately after the twin tower attacks of 9/11 and in the aftermath. (Pictured: Detective Donald Sanchez).
“The words police and pressure go together like Ham and eggs,” he said in his talk to the delegates. He went onto to speak about the pressures that David experienced while being pursued by King Saul and David’s relationship and faith in God’s plans and purposes for his life.

Donald is supporting the CPA’s national day of prayer for the police force on the 20th May 2004. He told ANS, “Police officers are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. We deal with all the normal challenges people face day in day out but added to that we go to work and we also deal with other peoples problems, we deal with other peoples pain when they have lost a loved one through violence or traffic accidents and we deal with a criminal element in our societies, people who would not think twice about hurting us, we need your prayer support.”

CELEBRATION SERVICE BRINGS THE CONFERENCE TO A CLOSE

The conference came to an end with a special service of thanksgiving at St Chad’s church in Romiley. Among the congregation was the Assistant chief Constable of the Greater Manchester police authority Steve Thomas who officially attended on behalf of the chief Constable Mike Todd.

Robin Oake, the former Chief constable of the Isle of Man spoke of “What would Jesus do” if he was a policeman. He challenged the officers on their attitude (it should be that of Christ Jesus) towards their colleagues and the public who they have to deal with. “You cannot be arrogant as a police officer if you want to be helpful, only he who serves is qualified to lead” Robin revealed these were the words he displayed in his office as a Chief Constable. “All of us who are in command positions have to note that we ourselves are servants and unless we get that position right for our colleagues and before God we cannot possibly be qualified to lead.”

So as the conference closed many of the officer’s faith was refreshed and revived and they couldn’t wait for Monday morning back at the office and on the beat with a spring in their step and hope in their hearts.

The Christian Police Association is the oldest police support association and was founded in 1883 by Catherine Gurney. It mission is to promote and foster fellowship of Christians in the police service. More information on the ministry of the CPA and contact details can be found at www.CPAuk.net 
Patrick Reilly is a freelance Christian journalist based in the UK. He can be contacted by e-mail at patrickr@fish.co.uk.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
   Send this story to a friend.