Tuesday, May 10, 2011

New Prayer Requests and Denver-Area Meeting News

I'll post the newsletter later this week (probably tomorrow) but wanted to start this week's prayer requests and local (Denver-area) meeting news whilst I had the chance. See previous posts for more...

PRAYER REQUESTS: UPDATED 5/13/2011

** From Larry Napp in MI:
UPDATE 05/15/2011: May has passed away and gone to be with the Lord -- please keep the family in your prayers.
One of our regular attenders Mary Roberts (wife to Mike Roberts, retired from Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety) was at our Bible Study last night with Mike and their daughter Tonya. Somtime after the Bible study Mary had a heart attack and was taken to Borgess Hospital and is in a coma. Would you please pray for Mary and her healing. Also, please pray for Mike, their daughter Tonya and the rest of their family during this difficult time.

** Englewood PD Ofc. Jason Pearson is organizing a relief trip to some of the more rural storm damaged areas in the South that are NOT getting much help. He writes,
I spoke again with Capt. Yates in Tulsa, OK today. He and his team just returned from Alabama Tuesday night, and he shared some thoughts with me to pass along. The cops they met in Alabama are in dire need. They have no cash, no clothes, no uniforms. They are in need of BOOTS, BODY ARMOR and any UNIFORMS they can get. If they were on duty when the tornadoes hit, that is what they have to wear, others are working patrol in jeans and t-shirts. Uniforms are also getting ruined as officers search through rubble and debris looking for missing people. They were still finding dead bodies Tuesday, and one town in Northern Alabama has lost over 10% of the town's entire population so far. While big areas like Tuscaloosa and Birmingham have Homeland Security, the Natl. Guard and FEMA on scene, the small towns don't even have stores that are open. Based on the long talk we had today, I plan on trying to get old boots, uniforms and leather gear donated, as well as diapers and baby formula. Rain gear and jackets are also needed. One Chief of Police that Capt. Yates encountered expressed fear that once FEMA and everyone else leaves, his staff still has to deal with the deaths, the devastation and the stress of trying to move forward with nothing, not even adequate work boots. I am going to begin collecting supplies and trying to round up cash to take and give to these families. Once the food banks and the shelters pack up and leave, these folks will still be homeless and in need for many weeks if not months before these towns can be rebuilt.
I appreciate any help you can give, and also appreciate those who have already volunteered to go with me.


Folks -- PRAY -- then ACT. Jason can be contacted via email at jason@magtfdenver.org or at 303-335-0946.

** Former Mineral County (CO -- near Creede) Dep. Scott Warrington spent many months in rehab at Craig Hospital after sustaining a LOD head injury. Good news is that he was recently cleared to go back to work. Bad news is that the sheriff then terminated him for causing his agency an "undue hardship" by being injured and nearly dying while serving his community! Scott then found out he had been replaced soon after he was injured. Pray for Scott as he fights this injustice.

** Pray for MN officer Cody Gilliland, his wife Brenda, and their unborn child (CHILD!) -- they are experiencing complications with the pregnancy.

** Pray for an ICE agent colleague ("Lee") and his bride-to-be ("Michelle") who just got engaged.

** Pray for our own Matt Wallenburg who will be leaving for Air National Guard basic training in San Antonio in less than a month.

** Chief Rob Dahl in Oregon sends the following:
For my brother Prayer Warriors!
My brother was an Oregon Police Officer, who suffered a significant traumatic event on duty, five years ago. This led to the end of his bright law enforcement career, which he had been pursuing since he was an Explorer Scout, like many of us! He chose not to continue his quest, after the event, for the “sake of his family.”
Now, he is feeling a bit dead inside and truly missing all that this magnificent career / calling provides for us. He has been truly struggling with “life on the outside” and his desire to get back into a patrol car.
He is a great Christian man, with an amazing wife and children and much success ahead of him. Unfortunately, his internal battle is getting the best of him and last night he walked out on his wife and small children, to “find himself.”
This is far too common an event for folks in our profession. I have experienced it firsthand and want to do all I can to save him the pain that lies ahead for him and his family! I am begging that you pray for Josh by name, and ask that Our Lord give him strength to face his demons, and Faith and Courage to do the right thing for him, his wife, their children and his family!!! There is much at stake here!
Oddly enough, I saw the trailer for the new movie “Courageous” in the movie theatre last night! It truly speaks to this kind of pain and struggle that so many of us face. I hope that we as true Warriors of Faith can step up and help to serve those in our folds who are struggling. Right now, that is Josh and his family!


Let's step up (or kneel down) and pray!

** Be in prayer for all those heading to the Memorial in DC (Friday is the Candlelight Vigil) for National Police Week/National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Emily Dewey will be attending to see Chris's name inscribed on our Wall, as will others who lost loved ones this in 2010. We're up to 67 LOD so far this year...be vigilent and keep that sense of urgency about sharing Christ with others -- especially our fellow warriors.

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DENVER-AREA MEETING NEWS/SCHEDULE(s):

Recently retired Denver PD officer Mark Roggeman is a regular at our studies and is also the Colorado Peace Officers for Christ International (POFCI) representative. Mark writes,

Law Enforcement Bible Studies! In addition to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver Bible studies in Littleton and Aurora (see www.TheCenturionLawEnforcementMinistry.org), the The Peace Officers for Christ along with Denver Police Chaplain Lonnie Trujillo are currently hosting two Bible studies:

(1) Every Tuesday at Brooklyn’s restaurant by INVESCO Field( Broncos Stadium) at 12:30 PM.

(2) Every Saturday at DIA (Denver Airport) in The Chapel located in the main terminal at 9:00 AM.

We are in the process of planning another study out north in Thornton.


Mark can be reached via his POFCI FB page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_136309447633 or via email at MRoggeman@aol.com.


FCPO-Denver/Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Schedule:

** Thursday, May 12th, 7 PM, High School Room, Calvary South Denver in Littleton (www.calvarycsd.org for info/directions)

** FRIDAY, May 20th, 7 PM, Room 144, Calvary Aurora in (duh) Aurora (www.calvaryaurora.org for info/directions).

** Thursday, May 26th, 7 PM, High School Room, Calvary South Denver in Littleton