“We’ve all seen unpleasant, gross, defiling things,” said Mike Scanlan, a former sergeant in Long Beach, California. “That’s part of our job.”
On October 22, Scanlan spoke during a Law Enforcement Appreciation Retreat hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
“We need to be washed in God’s Word,” said Scanlan, who now serves as a pastor at Calvary Chapel Susanville in California.
His message resonated with retired officer Ruben Moreno and his wife, Melinda. They were among 175 police officers and spouses who attended last week’s retreat to be renewed and equipped as they protect and serve their communities.
Ruben grew up in a broken home with an abusive father, and his family struggled with drugs and alcohol. Ruben accepted Jesus Christ into his life at age 15 while at church with his girlfriend—now his wife of 45 years. But years later, in 1998, he walked away from God shortly after becoming an officer with the La Verne Police Department in California.
Ruben stopped going to church and distanced himself from his family.
“Negative peer pressure and the lifestyle of the job pulled him away,” Melinda said.
“I was miserable,” Ruben admitted. “I had anger issues, outbursts, and it was all about payback.”
“I would have either been dead from a heart attack, or a drunk,” he said, reflecting on the direction his life could have taken if he’d kept going down that path.
After seven years of living like that, he responded to a complaint from an elderly couple about a barking dog. The routine call was a divine appointment. As it turns out, the couple were evangelists, and the three of them ended up talking about Jesus for over an hour.
“I left crying from that place, and knew I needed to get right with God,” Ruben shared. That’s when he recommitted his life to Jesus Christ.
“Pastor Mike’s message brought back a lot of memories about the anger issues and finding God and letting His Word calm you,” said Ruben.
During the retreat, Scanlan reminded those who follow Christ about the impact they can have while on the job.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,” he said, quoting Isaiah 52:7 (NIV). “You can be that person.”
“It’s not just a job, it’s an opportunity to serve God,” he added. “You have access to cops; you have access to [criminals] that most people will never talk to.”
Shortly after he recommitted his life to Christ nearly 20 years ago, Ruben’s young grandson noticed something was different. “You’ve changed, Grandpa,” he said, “You are not mean anymore.”
His co-workers noticed, too.
“I want to learn your magic,” a fellow officer told Ruben, wondering how he seemed so happy and content.
“I told her, ‘It’s not magic,’” Ruben said. “It’s God.”
The Morenos pray that God uses Law Enforcement Appreciation Retreats to point other couples to God’s truth so that they, too, can experience the life-changing power of the Gospel.
“This conference has been reaffirming a lot about the track we are on,” said Melinda, noting that they’ve been praying about becoming Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains in the future. “This is just confirming the next steps we are taking in our lives.”
Please pray that law enforcement officers and their spouses who attended the retreat will continue to encounter God’s grace, love, and peace in their careers, marriages, and families.
