When a society embraces godlessness, it results in anarchy—people taking the law into their own hands. The Lord warned in His Word to not embrace a lifestyle of “everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes” (Deuteronomy 12:8, ESV). Instead, Moses told God’s people to “be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever” (Deuteronomy 12:28, ESV). If we choose to reject the ways of God, we will reap devastating consequences.
Few understand this better than our nation’s law enforcement. These brave men and women have a dangerous job, and they’re always looking over their shoulders—on duty or off. Tragically, fatal officer-involved shootings are all too common today, and the need to minister to them has never been greater.
In March, we hosted a Law Enforcement Appreciation Retreat in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, attended by more than 200 couples—free of charge. My son Edward and other speakers assured them of our love and support and pointed them to Biblical truth and the hope we have in the Lord.
One police officer who attended from Seattle shared, “I think events like these are so important, because police officers need to be strengthened and encouraged now more than ever. They feel the challenges of the job … the evil that we face. Right now, many officers don’t feel the same level of support, which absolutely accumulates on them. So, in order to not be isolated, in order to be strengthened and encouraged, we need events like these to be able to come together, to be able to rest, recover, and renew in Christ.”
Another shared, “I came wanting to be edified and poured into, and I got it! I received Scripture that I can tie back to my department and then to the public as I serve them and interact with them. It’s very exciting.”
We have scheduled two more retreats for later this year at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., and we are planning Law Enforcement Appreciation dinners in various locations across the country, including the hotspots of Seattle and Portland in May. Please pray that God would move in the hearts of many through these opportunities.