Chattanooga: Officers’ Bible studies help save Main and Mocha
Saturday, January 31, 2009
By: Jacqueline Koch
Multiple Bible studies resurrected Main and Mocha from near-closure last September. When business at the small coffee shop at the corner of Main and Market streets slowed to a drip, its owners — Chattanooga police officer Karl Lewis and his wife — asked God for help. "Literally since that day, there have been dozens and dozens and dozens of Bible (study participants who) have shown up," Officer Lewis said. "It’s sustaining itself and growing little by little."
The local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers hosts one of the newest Bible studies there. Three weeks ago, the group began meeting each Monday for java, discussion and prayer, as well as studying from "The Peacekeeper," a Bible study book designed specifically for law enforcement.
Members are not limited to the Chattanooga Police Department, but include Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Erlanger hospital officers, among others. Officers stress that not only is living as a Christian compatible with working as a cop, it’s also necessary. But no one is advocating passive, meek officers who allow people to get away with wrongdoing, said Sgt. Phil Headden, who attends Monday meetings. "You can still do your job and do it aggressively, because there’s Scripture to back it up," he said. Officers focus on a verse from Romans 13 that describes how rulers are necessary and meant for good, and that those who do good need not fear authority. "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong,’ the verse says. "He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
"In other words, we’re here to do good," said Paul Lee, who is president of both the local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers and the national organization and a retired police department captain from Chattanooga. "For some reason, people kind of get that confused, probably because of TV."
Last Monday, about 20 members were at the coffee house, offering prayer requests for injured, ill and recently fired officers and deputies and sharing praise items, testimony and stories from their jobs. "We’re all like-minded, we all see the same things," Mr. Lee said. "A lot of times, police can’t talk to anybody else. They don’t want to talk to anybody else about what they see ... but guys get together, so why not do it under the blanket of Christ?"
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Jackson MI PeaceKeeper's
Trooper starts Bible study for public-safety officers
Friday, March 16, 2007
By Monetta L. Harr
mharr@citpat.com -- 768-4972
Michigan State Police Trooper Larry Rothman likes reaching people at the lowest point in their life. Working midnights for five years on road patrol gave him plenty of opportunity.
Some of the drunk drivers he arrested -- rather than being belligerent -- were receptive to a prayer from Rothman, as well as to his question on their way to jail: "What did you do to get into this mess, to be in the back of my patrol car?"
Rothman, who currently works days as a community service officer, said he is tuned in to reaching out to others because of his own relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship, he said, doesn't begin and end on Sunday mornings at church.
"I feel like all of us are able to make a big impact -- (that we have) a great opportunity to help people that many of us aren't taking advantage of," he said. On his own and apart from his community service work, Rothman started a monthly Bible study for public-safety officers, from EMTs and paramedics to firefighters, police officers and prison corrections officers. It began in area restaurants and has finally found a home at Grace Church. Officers attend on their own time. Earlier this month, eight men took seats in a classroom, double the number Rothman hoped would be there.
Most had just come from work, but Kevin Caldwell, 33, had a day off. He works with Rothman, and they have been partners. "I think a Bible study like this is helpful because we know the challenges one another faces," said Caldwell, who also attends a Bible study at his church.
Mike Sawyer, 55, a supervisor at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, and Martin Crowley, 42, a corrections officer, have a lot on their minds with the planned closure of the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility. Crowley is concerned he will be affected, but everything is up in the air for now. Their work -- or the uncertainty of their work -- is what drew them and
others on this Monday afternoon.
Rothman started with a prayer and emphasized "a belief in God is not a weakness. You don't want to wait until the end of your days to have a relationship with the Lord. Our line of work can wreck marriages if guys go to the bar after their shift and end up making life-changing mistakes."
Rothman, who lives in Lenawee County, is starting the same type of Bible study there. He also conducts a weekly men's Bible study at his church. "My whole focus is my relationship with Christ, that's my No. 1 relationship. When I get the opportunity to share my faith, I do it," said
Rothman, 34, who is married and has three children.
Rothman's supervisor, Lt. Jim Shaw, called the Bible study a "fantastic" idea. "Sometimes police officers are perceived as rough, tough, non-feeling people, but we are exposed to many difficult, sad situations, from delivering death messages to investigating homicides. This does impact
them," Shaw said. While it isn't a common practice for officers to pray with people they
have arrested, Shaw said Rothman's use of prayer is fine so long as the suspects are receptive.
"Each officer brings to this job something specific about themselves. That's what makes police officers so unique in how they go about doing their job."
Rothman said there have even been times when the arrested individuals offer a prayer for him.
"A man told me his wife and his church were all praying for him to get over his drinking problem.At first he wanted me to drive him home because he just lived down the road from where I stopped him. I wouldn't, and he thanked me," he said.
Another time, he and his partner talked to a woman they arrested for drunk driving. Several years later, he had to go to her house to deliver the news that her boyfriend had been killed in a car accident. "She told me he was saved (accepted Jesus Christ as his savior) and they
were involved in a church. It is definitely nice to see this bear fruit," he said.
This life is certainly not what Rothman imagined. He started singing with a country band in bars when he was only 17 and in high school. Not that he's ashamed of it. In fact, "those experiences have helped me tremendously dealing with people today."
Rothman said he was saved in 1995, before he was married. He started taking law-enforcement classes and landed a job as a corrections officer before he was accepted into the state police.
Because of his Christianity, he said, he struggled for three or four years as a state police trooper -- enough so he started looking at other jobs. "Police officers see the bad side of people, they are guilty of something, while Christians try and find the good in people.
"I prayed a lot about it, and the Lord told me I am a light in the darkness for people, that's why I'm here."
Friday, March 16, 2007
By Monetta L. Harr
mharr@citpat.com -- 768-4972
Michigan State Police Trooper Larry Rothman likes reaching people at the lowest point in their life. Working midnights for five years on road patrol gave him plenty of opportunity.
Some of the drunk drivers he arrested -- rather than being belligerent -- were receptive to a prayer from Rothman, as well as to his question on their way to jail: "What did you do to get into this mess, to be in the back of my patrol car?"
Rothman, who currently works days as a community service officer, said he is tuned in to reaching out to others because of his own relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship, he said, doesn't begin and end on Sunday mornings at church.
"I feel like all of us are able to make a big impact -- (that we have) a great opportunity to help people that many of us aren't taking advantage of," he said. On his own and apart from his community service work, Rothman started a monthly Bible study for public-safety officers, from EMTs and paramedics to firefighters, police officers and prison corrections officers. It began in area restaurants and has finally found a home at Grace Church. Officers attend on their own time. Earlier this month, eight men took seats in a classroom, double the number Rothman hoped would be there.
Most had just come from work, but Kevin Caldwell, 33, had a day off. He works with Rothman, and they have been partners. "I think a Bible study like this is helpful because we know the challenges one another faces," said Caldwell, who also attends a Bible study at his church.
Mike Sawyer, 55, a supervisor at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, and Martin Crowley, 42, a corrections officer, have a lot on their minds with the planned closure of the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility. Crowley is concerned he will be affected, but everything is up in the air for now. Their work -- or the uncertainty of their work -- is what drew them and
others on this Monday afternoon.
Rothman started with a prayer and emphasized "a belief in God is not a weakness. You don't want to wait until the end of your days to have a relationship with the Lord. Our line of work can wreck marriages if guys go to the bar after their shift and end up making life-changing mistakes."
Rothman, who lives in Lenawee County, is starting the same type of Bible study there. He also conducts a weekly men's Bible study at his church. "My whole focus is my relationship with Christ, that's my No. 1 relationship. When I get the opportunity to share my faith, I do it," said
Rothman, 34, who is married and has three children.
Rothman's supervisor, Lt. Jim Shaw, called the Bible study a "fantastic" idea. "Sometimes police officers are perceived as rough, tough, non-feeling people, but we are exposed to many difficult, sad situations, from delivering death messages to investigating homicides. This does impact
them," Shaw said. While it isn't a common practice for officers to pray with people they
have arrested, Shaw said Rothman's use of prayer is fine so long as the suspects are receptive.
"Each officer brings to this job something specific about themselves. That's what makes police officers so unique in how they go about doing their job."
Rothman said there have even been times when the arrested individuals offer a prayer for him.
"A man told me his wife and his church were all praying for him to get over his drinking problem.At first he wanted me to drive him home because he just lived down the road from where I stopped him. I wouldn't, and he thanked me," he said.
Another time, he and his partner talked to a woman they arrested for drunk driving. Several years later, he had to go to her house to deliver the news that her boyfriend had been killed in a car accident. "She told me he was saved (accepted Jesus Christ as his savior) and they
were involved in a church. It is definitely nice to see this bear fruit," he said.
This life is certainly not what Rothman imagined. He started singing with a country band in bars when he was only 17 and in high school. Not that he's ashamed of it. In fact, "those experiences have helped me tremendously dealing with people today."
Rothman said he was saved in 1995, before he was married. He started taking law-enforcement classes and landed a job as a corrections officer before he was accepted into the state police.
Because of his Christianity, he said, he struggled for three or four years as a state police trooper -- enough so he started looking at other jobs. "Police officers see the bad side of people, they are guilty of something, while Christians try and find the good in people.
"I prayed a lot about it, and the Lord told me I am a light in the darkness for people, that's why I'm here."
West Metro MN PeaceKeeper's
West Metro Peacekeepers offers fellowship, Bible study for cops Group addresses specific challenges faced by Christian law enforcement
officers
by Bryan Malley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOLDEN VALLEY — Following his conversion to Christianity in 2003 Officer Michael Passig of the Plymouth Police Department was looking for a fellowship and Bible study group for cops. When he didn’t find one, he and fellow officer Tim Oie started the West Metro Peacekeepers. Passig says that serving in law enforcement offers a unique perspective on life, creating a unique set of needs and challenges for Christian officers.
“Generally people don’t call police officers when they are having a good day. It’s usually in a crisis,” Passig said. “When you deal with this on a day-to-day basis, you can become cynical. You start looking at people differently.” During a conversation with Oie, Passig suggested that they “see if anyone is out there” that also desired Christian camaraderie with fellow law enforcement officers.
Passig, a School Resource Officer for the Plymouth School District, began researching law enforcement-specific Bible study material. What he found was “The PeaceKeepers” small group study developed by Michael Dye of Valencia, Calif. At the time, the book wasn’t in print but Dye gave Passig a copy.
“We want to be an inclusive group. For us, we made the decision that if we dive into the Bible right away without feeling the waters with people, we might chase people away,” Passig said. “This book is perfect because it really brings up specific issues directly related to law enforcement.”
In September 2005, the West Metro Peacekeepers began meeting monthly at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. Since then, the group’s existence has been spread primarily by word of mouth and attendance varies from month to month. The monthly meetings have drawn officers from Anoka County, Blaine, Burnsville, Minnetonka, the state Department of Natural Resources, the state patrol, Plymouth and Wright County agencies.
“As Christians, we can talk openly about [issues we face],” Passig said. “Having that Christian aspect has been very beneficial. Law enforcement can be very taxingon the family and on the individual.” Group meetings usually begin with socialization and move into prayer, reading and discussing chapters from “The PeaceKeepers,” and another time of prayer requests and praise. The gatherings also provide the opportunity for Christians in law enforcement to share past experiences and discuss ways to deal with different scenarios.
“For me, this group and going through the Bible study has formed my opinion of my job as more of a mission field,” Passig said. “It takes a unique personality to be a Christian police officer.”
ACTION POINT:
The West Metro Peacekeepers meet the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. To find out more about the group, visit www.westmetropeacekeepers.org or call (763) 745-6726.
Published by Minnesota Christian Chronicle — May 2007
officers
by Bryan Malley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOLDEN VALLEY — Following his conversion to Christianity in 2003 Officer Michael Passig of the Plymouth Police Department was looking for a fellowship and Bible study group for cops. When he didn’t find one, he and fellow officer Tim Oie started the West Metro Peacekeepers. Passig says that serving in law enforcement offers a unique perspective on life, creating a unique set of needs and challenges for Christian officers.
“Generally people don’t call police officers when they are having a good day. It’s usually in a crisis,” Passig said. “When you deal with this on a day-to-day basis, you can become cynical. You start looking at people differently.” During a conversation with Oie, Passig suggested that they “see if anyone is out there” that also desired Christian camaraderie with fellow law enforcement officers.
Passig, a School Resource Officer for the Plymouth School District, began researching law enforcement-specific Bible study material. What he found was “The PeaceKeepers” small group study developed by Michael Dye of Valencia, Calif. At the time, the book wasn’t in print but Dye gave Passig a copy.
“We want to be an inclusive group. For us, we made the decision that if we dive into the Bible right away without feeling the waters with people, we might chase people away,” Passig said. “This book is perfect because it really brings up specific issues directly related to law enforcement.”
In September 2005, the West Metro Peacekeepers began meeting monthly at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. Since then, the group’s existence has been spread primarily by word of mouth and attendance varies from month to month. The monthly meetings have drawn officers from Anoka County, Blaine, Burnsville, Minnetonka, the state Department of Natural Resources, the state patrol, Plymouth and Wright County agencies.
“As Christians, we can talk openly about [issues we face],” Passig said. “Having that Christian aspect has been very beneficial. Law enforcement can be very taxingon the family and on the individual.” Group meetings usually begin with socialization and move into prayer, reading and discussing chapters from “The PeaceKeepers,” and another time of prayer requests and praise. The gatherings also provide the opportunity for Christians in law enforcement to share past experiences and discuss ways to deal with different scenarios.
“For me, this group and going through the Bible study has formed my opinion of my job as more of a mission field,” Passig said. “It takes a unique personality to be a Christian police officer.”
ACTION POINT:
The West Metro Peacekeepers meet the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. To find out more about the group, visit www.westmetropeacekeepers.org or call (763) 745-6726.
Published by Minnesota Christian Chronicle — May 2007
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