CHRISTIAN POLICE MINISTRIES*

Chaplain Grant Wolf

Chattanooga, TN, Police Department

Christian police ministries have been in existence at least since 1883 when the Christian Police Association (CPA) was established in Great Britain. Also headquartered in England is The International Christian Police Fellowship, a worldwide affiliation of police ministries.

In North America, the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers (FCPO) represents a large number of Christian officers in Canada and the United States. Other well-known ministries include International Cops for Christ, Peace Officers for Christ International, and Ten-Four Ministries. In addition to these, there are a number of organizations for police chaplains. The largest is the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), with a worldwide membership. Another is Peace Officer Ministries (POM), which serves as a chaplaincy resource for officers, chaplains, police agencies, churches, and communities.

Several effective ministries have developed around police personnel with a zeal for Christ. In Colorado, Detective M. C. “Mike” Williams has a thriving local and email ministry called the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, and Iowa DCI officer Don Shreffler has for many years hosted an annual retreat for Midwestern officers. Florida sheriff’s deputy Mike Dye wrote The Peacekeepers Bible Study, which has engendered a loose network of study groups throughout the United States.

When they take an oath to “protect and serve,” law enforcement officers automatically place themselves on the side of truth and justice. If they are students of the Bible, they know that God instituted our criminal justice system in Genesis, chapter 3, when he called court into session, meted out the first criminal sentence, and established policing with the cherubim and flaming sword. In Romans 13, they learn that police officers are “ordained of God” (v. 1 KJV) as servants for good.

Because of constant job reassignments, shift changes, and other pressures, many find regular participation in their home church difficult. Like the first-century church, they stay connected with God and fellow Christians in small-group settings. These ministries complement the local church, providing a Christian resource to officers seeking closer fellowship with God.

*Check the internet for website addresses.