Issue 1015 - SUMMER 2014

The FIFA World Cup is upon us and once again the

sporting rivalries of nation against nation will be

stirred. Against this background came a report that

statistics show that during the World Cup there will

be an increase in domestic violence in this country,

sparked by those who cannot handle the strong

emotions that go with this competition.

While the football is supposed to be good natured,

it is being played out against a world stage that is

anything but good natured. With conflicts in Eastern

Europe, the Middle East and Africa, many are losing

their lives as the result of conflicting ideologies where neither party is willing to give way or compromise.

How do we respond to this?

The New Testament letter written by James is often dismissed as being lightweight but it has a wealth of advice on the

practical matters of everyday living and an emphasis on religious practice and ethical conduct. Chapter 4 opens with the question

‘What causes fights and quarrels among you?’ This letter was written when the Christian Church was still in its infancy and

there were struggles because each person wanted their own way and their own advantage. James points out to them that, even

though they are praying, they do not get what they want because their motives are wrong.

What a challenge this is to us today. Whether it is in ordinary, everyday living or in a purely spiritual context, do we closely

examine our motives before embarking on a course of action? In chapter 3 James talks about the tongue and how it can get us

into trouble and he ends chapter 4 exhorting us to see our lives in the context of God’s big picture.

Within the Law Enforcement community at present there seem to be continuous quarrels. Whether it is between Staff

Associations and the Government, Police and Crime Commissioners and the Independent Police Complaints Commission, or

between families and police officers involved in investigations; everyone wants their own way. So do we have a part to play?

Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matt 5:9). Bringing peace to situations is a spiritual thing and James, the ever

practical, offers this advice ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift

you up’ (James 4:8, 10). As those whose job it is to keep the peace, let’s make sure that whatever situation we are faced with,

we approach it with the humility that Jesus brought to his ministry. As we humble ourselves before God he will give us his Spirit,

the fruit of which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Editor

Earlier this year, Wiltshire Branch Leader Paul Fisher saw an article in the Newsletter of the

International Christian Police Fellowship (ICPF) about CPA in Moldova. As he was planning to

visit that country in May, he asked if we had any links with them. We were able to put him in

touch with the group and he was able to share fellowship with them.

Following Paul’s return, we received the following message from Anatolie Andriuta,

President of CPA Moldova. ‘Thank you very much for Paul Fisher’s visit, it was a blessing for

our policemen. We appreciate Paul’s sacrifice to come to our country and to be a blessing

for many policemen, his testimony was a very big encouragement for us and especially for

non-believers. God bless you all CPA GB. With love and big respect.’

Moldova Mission

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The Norfolk Branch of the CPA have been delighted to host the CPA national conference over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend at Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Ditchingham, Norfolk. Welcoming our brothers and sisters in Christ to South Norfolk was the fulfilment of a vision dating from the fledgling year of the re-launched Norfolk Branch. Being able to host the conference really was an indicator of how far the Branch has come since the days of prayer meetings of only two people. Thanks to a very generous grant by Snellings of Blofield Heath, officers and staff were able to be joined by their families for a weekend of rest, refreshment and fellowship with the theme of the conference – ‘Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him’ (Psalm 37:7). The Friday evening session opened with a welcome from Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Hamlin and got off to a very lively start with the wonderful music of Fakenham Baptist Community Church worship band. Meanwhile, the children and young people spent time putting together visual aids to decorate the 24/7 prayer room which was run throughout the whole event. On Saturday, Richard Stephens from Kairos Prison Ministries gave a passionate and sometimes humorous talk about the work they are involved in with prison inmates in the UK, showing them the love of Christ, and the amazing outcomes of the work that is now well established in USA. Richard was followed by Val Dodsworth from House of Genesis. She detailed her story from being a Prison Chaplain to putting up those released from prison and having nowhere to go. Her sacrificial work has helped to establish this most important ministry and is an inspiration to all, and her very humble presentation could leave no one in doubt of the amazing power that is present in all of us who follow Christ, if we will only allow him to make use of us and those resources he has given to us. Of course all things need to be underpinned by prayer and Jill Gower from Call to Prayer gave a very challenging and informative talk about her work and then went on to lead prayer workshops to encourage and inform in an area that so many Christians find hard. Jill’s gentle style and her depth of knowledge and experience encouraged and inspired many over the whole weekend. There was a full programme of children’s ministry throughout the weekend and Norfolk CPA are grateful for the time and energy given by Amy Walters of Norwich Central Baptist Church and CPA associate member, Pauline Hill from Aldborough, near Cromer. Pauline also brought along the Australian designed BackPack Bed by Swags for Homeless. A lot of interest has been shown in this and details taken back to various parts of the UK. St Paul’s Church, Hellesdon, provided the music ministry for the Saturday programme. Also from St Paul’s, CPA Associate member Roy Forder provided all the technical support and backup needed for the weekend. On Saturday evening Belsey Bridge staff provided an excellent BBQ and the weather was kind enough to allow this to take place outside. The meal was followed by fete games outside and a large scale quiz designed to take teams around the whole inside of the venue on a treasure hunt of categories ranging from Bible knowledge to driver theory questions and anagrams. The picture quizzes proved to be very popular. The evening rounded off with live music provided by various CPA delegates holding a musical ‘jam’ session in the bar area and the highlight of this had to be the amazing talent of Jojo Immanuel-Lawson, a gospel singer from City of London, including his impromptu hilarious rendition of ‘A weekend at Belsey Bridge’. Sunday morning was a time of sharing what God had been saying to delegates over the weekend and some powerful testimonies were heard. Richard Whall, one of the Norfolk police chaplains, led a Communion service. The Police Service is often described as a family and the CPA feels even more so – under the headship of our heavenly Father we are a blessed community, salt and light in our workplaces. The support of Network Norfolk over the years to Norfolk CPA has enabled churches around the county to uphold their local police in prayer and practical support. We value that love and support and would encourage others who wish to encourage their local police anywhere in the UK to visit www.coact.org.uk to find out more.

Rachel Foster – Eastern Region Coordinator Marie Reavey – Branch Leader (Norfolk) Jon Cotterell – Deputy Branch Leader (Norfolk)

National Conference 2014

God is gently pruning meGrowing up I used to attend church on a Sunday with my mum. I knew lots about God but it’s only now I can say that I actually know God. Although I’ve always believed in God I never really realised the importance of having a relationship with him and how it could actually benefit me. I didn’t really know much about Jesus – only that he was God’s Son. I began to reject the church in my teens and wanted to do things my way. I went way off the rails for a while, leaving home and getting pregnant at 16, then turning to drugs following a miscarriage. But unknown to me at the time, God had his hand in everything and steered me back towards a path he’d set out for me (rather than the destructive one I’d chosen). Between the ages 18 and 23, I calmed down a lot. I was experimenting with New Age concepts, but would occasionally feel drawn to go to Sunday worship. I remember feeling amazed when the sermon would relate to the exact same things that I’d been struggling with that week! I had my daughter at age 20 and married her dad in the Catholic church that I’d grown up going to. It had more to do with the pretty building than wanting to take my vows before God. After my divorce at age 24 I felt so ashamed and did not want to go anywhere near a church. Then I met my husband Kevin. We moved to a new area with my daughter and three years later had our son. Things were great for a while but then I began to suffer post-natal depression. I got lower and lower and began to gradually cut myself off from the world. Things got pretty bad and I didn’t see the point in life. Everything felt like too much effort. What was the point of it all? I was in a very dark place and facing being hospitalised when I cried out to God. I wanted him to get me out of this mess and get me better. In an attempt to avoid me going into hospital my mum suggested I stay with her for a while so she could take care of me. During this time we went to a retreat day called ‘Time with God’. God spoke to me so much whilst I was there, revealing to me why I was going through my depression. I was amazed! My little sister was already a Christian and passed on a number for a local church, suggesting that I link in with them and make some friends around my local area. I didn’t call them for a while but one night had a dream that I was walking into the church and I woke up knowing that I needed to call them. The pastor invited me along to the mother and toddler group to meet some other mums who attended the church. I went along and was so surprised to find other mums my age who went to church and were ‘normal’. My previous experiences of church had been mainly old people that I had nothing in common with. I went along to a Sunday worship and was made to feel so welcome. I was surprised at the difference between this new church I’d found and the one that I had grown up with. Plus, they spoke so much about Jesus. I couldn’t believe that I’d spent all those years in a Christian environment and didn’t know the ‘Good News’ of why God sent his Son! I still had my battles with my depression but I began to cry out in prayer and God really started to speak to me. I would go to church week after week and just sob – sometimes sad tears and sometimes happy tears. But I felt so comforted and suddenly everything was finally making sense to me. I completed a Christianity Explored course and started to attend a house group each week. I finally got baptised in December 2012 and haven’t looked back since. I am now free from depression, no longer in need of antidepressants and am happier than ever. It hasn’t all been plain sailing since becoming a Christian and I know there’ll be many storms I’ll have to face, but I now know that I can face anything with Jesus by my side. My relationship with Jesus is deepening daily and God is gently pruning me to be more of the person that he made me to be. I just wish I had come to know his love sooner.

Jordine Nunn (Metropolitan)

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the recent death of Betty Linton. A staunch support of CPA, Betty was the widow of Bobby Linton, a former RUC officer who had

been actively involved in the Northern Ireland Branch, particularly with the annual Bible Week in Portrush. After retirement, Bobby and Betty moved to the Lake District. Betty was also the daughter of the late John Williamson, CPA President for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

OUR PURPOSE is toglorify Jesus Christ in the Police Service.

OUR MISSION is to • encourage and support Christians in the Police Service

• communicate in words and action, the truth, message and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ

to colleagues and the community we serve

• build bridges between the Christian community and the police.

OUR VISION is to see• an active and growing Branch of CPA in every Police Service in the UK and every Christian in the Police Service to fulfill their potential in Jesus Christ

• colleagues and those we serve come to know Jesus Christ personally

• police and churches working together in every community to reduce crime and improve quality of life.

Chairman of CouncilDC Tony Gale

Leicestershire Constabulary

Executive Director & EditorDon Axcell

Assistant DirectorVacant

AdministratorJackie Gillen

PresidentMatt Baggott, CBE, QPM

Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland

http://twitter.com/uk_cpa

www.facebook.com/christianpoliceassociation

Christian Police AssociationBedford Heights

Manton LaneBedford, MK41 7PH

Tel: 01234 272 865Email: info@CPAuk.net

Website: www.CPAuk.netSkype: cpaukhq

Registered Charity: 220482 (E&W) SCO43784 (Scotland)

I Heard My Saviour Say...Your sins are forgiven.

Believe in me.

Fear not!

Peace be to you.

I am your light.

I am your Shepherd, I will lead you.

Do not worry about tomorrow.

I have called you friend.

I want your life to be abundant.

The yoke I have for you is easy and the burden is light.

I will give you living water so you will never thirst again.

Consider the lilies... My Father will provide for you.

Do not let your heart be troubled. I am preparing a place for you.

I have sent you the Comforter.

I am with you always!

I am the resurrection and your life.

Because I live, you will live also.

Ask and you will receive.

It is my Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.

You are blessed.

I will never leave or forsake you.

No one can snatch you away from Me.

Be ready, I am coming for you as a groom comes for his bride.

Grace, mercy, and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Titus 1:4

42-LIFE is a new magazine soon to be distributed to schools nationally. Featuring new, true stories about real people, it will also feature a range of contemporary articles to invite students to look at Christianity today.It includes the testimony of retired Met PC Paul Senior (publisher of Cops and Robbers).Check out www.42life.org Maybe your church would like copies? Or your police station cells?