The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry: Cops, Scams and Depression

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Cops, Scams and Depression

Brothers and Sisters:

I am going to attempt to be brief despite having much to cover – please read on.

First off, most if not all of you received a bogus/scam email advising that I was stranded in Scotland. Here’s the gist for both this incident and any future such issues: my email account was completely hacked by folks in Nigeria (yea – Nigeria)! Not only did the hackers send a bogus email to everyone on my contact list, but they also deleted all my emails, folders, contacts, etc. before changing the language to Greek and changing my password as well. They also had all incoming/outgoing emails forwarded to a bogus email address: fullarrnor instead of fullarmor (see how close rrn is to rm – and be sure you don’t have the former in on your contact list)! I was finally able to get everything back to English and Yahoo restored my account save for a 24-hour period of incoming emails. I’ve also taken some additional security steps but know this – if I’m ever truly “stranded” in Scotland (the haggis was wonderful!) or anywhere else I have a great wife and family who will help me out! Moreover, I recommend some “police work 101” for anything suspicious – such as a simple Google search of the scammer’s phone number (results reveal the scam). Do NOT call listed numbers as they may very well result in HUGE charges to you phone bills. All-in-all a very messy business this! I apologize for any consternation on your parts but I also thank all those who reached out to make sure I was OK. To that end, please add thecenturionministry@yahoo.com to your contacts as I will be using it for the time being as my primary ministry email.

Secondly, God had different plans for us at last week’s meeting that resulted in us some pretty powerful interaction instead of my planned study on “The Warrior’s Psalm” (Psalm 91). I will still be teaching this at a future date so stay tuned. That aside, a trusted and wise brother/partner in ministry provided the following after our study that serves as an outstanding template for all those around the country/world also leading and/or participating in their own law enforcement fellowships:

“Officers won't want to miss a Christian law enforcement Bible study and fellowship if it: (1) helps them see and share what God is doing in their personal world,
(2) develops group unity, and
(3) is goal oriented (evangelism, discipleship, spiritual growth, etc.) to encourage each person to be what God wants them to be.”

Amen to that!

This week (tonight, 1900 hours, High School Room, Calvary South Denver in Littleton) I’ll be teaching on the much-anticipated and very real issue of depression in law enforcement (and in general, for that matter) and the biblical approach to dealing with it. I’ll of course provide a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter and here on our website for our world-wide audience and will include a list of excellent resources. Stay tuned!

Speaking of this website, please check back frequently for the latest updates, new links, prayer requests, meeting schedules and so much more.

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National Announcements:

(1) The 2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers Conference is set for October 7-9 in Chicago. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers and exceptional fellowship/networking with other Christian officers and their spouses from all over the United States and Canada. Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the conference link at the top. Hope to see you there!

(2) Courageous opens September 30th and a number of us are working hard on organizing law enforcement outreach events for opening night and beyond. Go to www.courageousthemovie.com/ for more (and I’ll have further in upcoming newsletters and on our website).

(3) Patriots Day (9-11): This Sunday is of course the 10th anniversary of the September 9th terrorist attacks on our nation. Most of us will be working that day so let’s resolve to cover each other in prayer whilst also being extra vigilent (be sure that both your physical and spiritual armor -- Ephesians 6:10-18 – is firmly in place). I’ll have more in next week’s newsletter…

(4) Faith & Policing! Check out this excellent PoliceOne.com article (includes my own comments as well): www.policeone.com/police/community/articles/4304692-Policeman-pastor-finds-similarities-in-faith-and-law-enforcement/?fb_ref=homepage

(5) Dep. Chris Dewey’s Killer Convicted! I received the news this week and corresponded with Chris’s widow Emily (she is doing OK – glad this issue is almost concluded). Party will be sentenced to life in prison. See www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/10375/ (and pray that God’s will be done in terms of the appeal).

Denver-Area News:

(1) Calvary Chapel Regional Men’s Conference (www.calvaryaurora.org/whats-new/mens-conference/) is set for this Saturday, September 10th, from 8AM to 2:30 PM (doors open at 0715) at Calvary Chapel Aurora. I’m encouraging all Denver-area officers (and men in general) to join me for a special time of biblical study to grow and encourage us in these difficult times. Speakers include Chuck Smith, Raul Reis, Ed Taylor, Gino Geraci, Lonnie Trujillo and more! Contact fellow Colorado state criminal investigator and ministry leader Tony Avila at tony@calvaryaurora.org or 909-660-0114 for more information. It’s FREE -- see you there!

(2) Transformed Conference! Are you ON FIRE for GOD (you should be)? Saturday, September 17th from 12:30-4:30 at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (www.CalvaryCSD.org). Register and obtain more information about this FREE event at www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=449. Bring your spouse to this one!

(3) Law Enforcement Training: The Colorado State Investigators Association is hosting a white collar crime training conference on October 5-6. Outstanding presenters/subject matter along with 16 hours of POST credit. Go to www.CSIAinc.org and click on the conference link. I serve on the CSIA board and can therefore vouch for this fine organization. Hope to see you there!

That’s it for this week folks. Stay frosty, fly your flags, and stay in the fight under the command of our true Commander in Chief (initials are “JC” and not “BO”).

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.