The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry: A Cop's Testimony

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A Cop's Testimony

Brothers and Sisters:

We’re back on schedule and – for our locals and visitors – we will be meeting tonight (Thursday, 8/4/2010) as previously announced. For everyone else, I’ll send out a full recap in next week’s newsletter that will be written from Dallas. Dallas in August?!! That's what I said – I’ll be there for training all week. Please keep this “former” Texan in prayer as I moved to Colorado twenty years ago to escape Texas’ hellish summers which last about 9 months or more.

In light of one of our own (Lee with ICE) who accepted Christ as Savior just over a week ago, this week’s study will center on the topic of our testimony. Just what exactly is a “testimony” and do you have one? Please join us tonight at Calvary South Denver starting at 1900 hours and together we’ll answer those questions and more. The answer(s) may surprise you! Our own worship leader, Matt Wallenberg, will be back with some super worship music and we’ll have a great time of fellowship and prayer in addition to my profession-relevant message. We look forward to seeing you.

Speaking of being a new follower of Christ…many have asked me, "What does it mean to be BORN AGAIN?" Our Lord tells us explicitly that we MUST be born again in order to be saved (John 3:1-21). The concept can be a perplexing one for the initiated. Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (http://tenfourministries.org/) has put together a great short video presentation on the subject – please take the time to watch and learn. Go to http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-it-means-to-be-born-again.html. Also see http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html for more on the subject. If you don't already know Christ as your Savior, I urge you to take this all-important step of faith today -- we may not have tomorrow!

MEETING SCHEDULE & LATEST PRAYER REQUESTS!

As always, our meeting schedule and the latest prayer requests are posted here on the website (next post below). Please take the time to review these items and join us in praying for those that are in need – and thanks to all those who are sending them in. Check back frequently.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- As previously announced, don’t forget that Erv Meyer -- who has been at my side since this ministry’s infancy -- will be teaching at our August 12th meeting. Erv’s profession-relevant message will center on the person, life and testimony of Caleb – one of my favorite Bible heroes and a true servant-warrior. Please plan to attend this not-to-be-missed presentation if you are one of our regulars, reside in/near the Denver-Metro area, or are just visiting (and remember to pass the word to your friends and colleagues – just forwarding this newsletter is a GREAT witnessing tool).

-- Last Sunday we had the privilege of meeting Tonia Harris at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Tonia is the widow of Sandoval County (NM) Sgt. Joe Harris – my “brother from a different mother” – who was shot and killed in the line of duty just over a year ago. There is a pic of Joe at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC right here on our website (scroll down) followed by one of me at the same location. Keep Tonia in prayer as she and her kids move on with their lives. As with Joe, Tonia is a strong believer…

-- 1ST ANNUAL CENTURION L.E. MINISTRY BBQ!

Saturday, 8/14, staring about 4:30 PM at our place in Highlands Ranch. We’ll have fliers at tonight’s meeting with details and our address – or shoot me an email if you can’t attend tonight or next Thursday. Should be great fun! Please feel free to join us if you’re a regular, a “rookie” to our fellowship, or just passing through. Spouses are of course welcome and encouraged to attend.

-- CENTURION RADIO!!S

Speaking of Travis Yates, he has asked me to be his guest on the Friday, August 13th (Friday the 13th -- I love it!!) edition of his brand new law enforcement-related radio ministry – Centurion Radio! Tune in if you can or listen online later. The show starts at noon CST. You can listen live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/08/13/centurion-radio-detectivechaplain-mc-williams . Stay tuned (literally)!

-- NEED A CCW?

State Correctional Officer Ryan Dyer is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor who has started Rocky Mountain Gun Smoke. If interested, contact Ryan at1-719-285-8865 or via email at endure4him@gmail.com .

-- NEW CHRISTIAN MOVIE NETWORK: http://www.parablestv.com/index.php .

-- NEW FOP LODGE!

I now serve as chaplain for FOP Lodge 100. I encourage every sworn officer to be a part of FOP or similar organization – especially for the legal defense program (a MUST). If you’re serving in the Colorado Front Range and are not already a lodge member, contact Lodge President Troy Cooper at tcooper8899@msn.com .

-- Finally, I’ll leave you with this from Denver PD Ofc. Todd Gentry (author of Bulletproof). Todd writes:
Fathers, Men, Warriors:
If we do not rise to protect them, who will? I recently came across a non-profit called, Love146. In short, they provide prevention and aftercare programs to help put an end to child sex slavery and exploitation. They got their name during an undercover operation in South East Asia where child #146 was sold for sex.I am asking each of you, as a father, as a man, as a warrior, to make a donation and in doing so, stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Because if not us, who? And if not now, when? For more information, check out http://www.love146.org/ .

Let’s continue to uphold the right and serve and protect while holding each other lovingly and biblically accountable. Hope to see ya’ tonight!

Our Core Verses

COPS -- God's ministers for good and a terror against evil. We do not bear the sword in vain.

(Paraphrase...for full text, see the Bible in Romans 13:1-4)

Psalm 82:3-4

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.ressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.he widow.

Colorado Law Enforcement Ministry Meeting Schedules

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (FCPO-Denver)

On the local front (meaning Colorado Front Range) we typically meet for iron sharpens iron fellowship and Bible study every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evening of each month at Calvary Castle Rock. Email me for details at thecenturionministry@gmail.com or give me a shout at 720-371-1022

Men of Courage Law Enforcement Ministry

Buena Vista (CO) PD Sgt. Dean Morgan is leading a law enforcement fellowship/Bible study in Chaffee County and the surrounding area. Contact Dean at interceptor@policeone.com for more info.

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TCLEM Mission Statement

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (TCLEM), is to educate law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, military, etc.) about God's unique call on their lives as outlined in God's word (Bible) and to lead officers and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through same, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian servant-leaders and reduce our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.

Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEM seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors ("sheepdogs") and leaders while at the same time developing the our spiritual, family and personal lives through Bible study, peer fellowship, and group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church. We also seek to infuse our profession with godly leaders who will in fact LEAD (serve) from a biblical world view.

What We Believe (Statement of Faith)

(1) WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's sacrificial agape love, which is greater than any secondary differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

(2) WE BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity as detailed in God's word (Bible).

(3) WE BELIEVE the sixty-six books of the Bible (i.e. Old and New Testament) comprise the totality of Holy Scripture and is inerrant in the original text, and remains God-breathed/God-inspired and infallible in all its substance, and therefore, it is the supreme and final authority in faith, theology, and life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105.

(4) WE BELIEVE that our Lord has called us to share the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life and, in particular as it relates to our service in the God-ordained calling of law enforcement. We also believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

(5) WE BELIEVE there is only One true, eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience. Deut. 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31, Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20, Rev. 4:11.

(6) WE BELIEVE in one God who is Creator of heaven and earth, Spirit, personal, transcendent, sovereign, life, love, truth, almighty, simple (i.e. one without parts), timelessly eternal, unchangeable, wise, just, holy, relational, dynamic and infallible in all things.

(7) WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person, that He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless and miraculous life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious substitutionary death on the Cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and lives to make intercession for us. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to preach the gospel to the entire world, an obligation shared by all believers today. John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11.

(8) WE BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered as a gift by the Lord Jesus Christ to all based on His grace alone. When a person sincerely repents of their sin and enters into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationsship (not "religion") with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, they are immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all their sins are forgiven, and they become a child of God -- changed, and destined to spend eternity with Him. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

(9) WE BELIEVE in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today, and should be exercised within scriptural guidelines, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5.

(10) WE BELIEVE in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe that the physical second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, premillennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heart-felt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in the two ordinances the Lord gave the church - adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. Revelation 3:10, Thessalonians 5:9.

(11) WE BELIEVE there is a real personal devil of great evil, cunning, and power, who seeks to tempt, kill, steal, and destroy, yet his power is limited by God to only what God permits him to do; that the devil has been defeated positionally at the cross of Christ, and will be defeated practically at Christ's glorious second coming which will ultimately eventuate in the quarantine and punishment of the Satan (aka the Devil, Beast, and False Prophet, etc.) in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone where they will be tormented day and night forever (what has been traditionally called "Hell"). Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.

(12) WE BELIEVE that our Lord is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Christ and that is through a life-changing personal relationship with the Risen Savior. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Intellectual acceptance of Christ is not enough. You must come to him determined to turn from what displeases him, with a total trust in Christ's saving power for you.

Are you ready to receive Christ today? If so, scroll up towards the top of this page to the links under How Can I be Saved (AKA True "Officer Safety"). Please feel free to contact me if you need help in this area -- it would be my honour to lead you "home" to Christ!

If you sincerely put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into his family. It's the greatest discovery you will ever make!

Donate to the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry

We do accept donations to support our ministry and outreach, including but not limited to leading officers to Christ, support for wounded officers; "officer down" outreach; chaplain and counseling services; speaking engagements; website expenses; ministry apparel, etc. Donations can be made out to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and mailed to

P.O. Box 630854
Littleton, CO 80163

That said, support your church first...and then donate if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.