By Kelly Scarrow

Imagine spending your working days surrounded by violence, sexual depravity, disregard of people and their property, abuse, suicide, drug addiction, death, injury, greed, brokenness, decay, intimidation, theft, lies and deceit. Then imagine trying to keep a God perspective in your day to day life.

That is what many of our Christian Police staff from around New Zealand struggle with. They met together in October this year for the first time at the Priority One conference in Wanganui.

God poured his blessing upon all those who attended and those who helped during the weekend. Many found healing and a new vulnerability to God as he dissolved the barriers people had built up because of the environment in which they work. He empowered and equipped them with a sense of His purpose for them in the workplace and blessed them with a joy and an anointing of boldness.

Some speak of a transformation in their lives. One returned to work after the conference and was asked by a non-Christian colleague what had happened over the weekend because he “looked so different!” It is amazing testimony of how the Spirit fell on all who attended.

It was agreed that this meeting of Christian Police should be an annual event.

These men and women from all over the country often feel isolated. I challenge readers to seek out the Police in your community. Pray for them, bake them a cake, shout them out to a meal, send words of encouragement and gratitude for the work they do serving you.

I firmly believe God wants to reconcile our communities to Him, and I also believe that our Police are at the core of this business. They are the ones who, on a daily basis, draw a line between good and evil. They defend the weak, uphold the truth, and fight injustice.

The impact a single Christian Police officer can have is huge. The impact can be even greater if they have your support. I am reminded of how the Armed Offenders Squad operate. When entering a dangerous situation with a hostile and armed offender, one person leads the way, but with a second following close behind ready to provide cover and protection under fire. One can not operate without the other.

So it is for you and our Christian Police. This reminds me of Nehemiah rebuilding the city walls under enemy opposition: “From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armour” (Nehemiah 4:16).

So take up your spiritual spears, shields, bows and armour, get behind your Police, and watch this space!

• Kelly is conference coordinator and wife of a policeman.