“One question that was asked repeatedly was ‘Why?’” pastor Scott Nichols reported. Law enforcement officers from DuPage County who attended a community barbeque in their honor wondered why a church would host such an event. Gospelife Church of Carol Stream, Illinois, gladly told them.
“The Scriptures teach that God empowers law enforcement as agents for good in society,” Nichols said. “So Gospelife wanted to serve those who serve us.”
Some 75 people attended the cookout, representing local police and sheriff’s departments. The officers, including the K-9 team, received giftbags — and afterward church members packed up dinners for delivery to the late shift.
‘Not alone’
A representative of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers USA also was on hand.
“It’s vital for the brave men and women serving in law enforcement to know that they are honored, loved and not alone, especially during these times,” retired Sgt. Dino Heckermann of FCPO Chapter 75 said.
One officer shared how he recently had transferred to the suburbs after a four-year stint in the city and a season in the military.
“No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” he said.
“The culture we live in often paints the police with a broad, negative brush leaving many officers feeling alone, isolated and unappreciated,” Wheaton Police Sgt. Dan Saltzman noted. “While we don’t do what we do for the gratitude, a little appreciation can make all the difference in an officer’s life to remind us of the good in humanity.
“Thank you for making a concerted effort to remind us that we are not alone.”
Nichols declared, “God always blesses when a church stretches to share Christ outside of their four walls.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Illinois Baptist staff and originally published by Illinois Baptist.
