Police officers make many sacrifices for our country each day, including putting their lives on the line to protect others.
The emotional and physical trauma that comes with police work can cause major strain on their marriages.
Officers who have been injured in the line of duty or involved in traumatic incidents can apply for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA’s) Marriage Resiliency Retreat. Since 2021, BGEA has welcomed more than 50 law enforcement couples to Alaska for a week of rest, renewal, and time to focus on their relationship with God and each other.
Troy and Melinda, both police officers, made the trip up to the remote Alaskan wilderness in June. They shared how grateful they were for an opportunity to work on their marriage, which was suffering from the combined stress of not just one, but both spouses working in a dangerous and demanding field.
“Life gets in the way of precious time together and working on your marriage doesn’t always happen,” Troy explained. “It is incredibly hard to set boundaries and fully separate yourself from work.
“You become more like roommates than companions.”
Melinda—who has been a Christian from a young age—arrived in Alaska excited to grow in her faith in Jesus Christ and pour into their marriage. Troy, however, did not know Christ when they arrived.
For his whole life, Troy thought he needed to earn Christ’s forgiveness.
“I felt I wasn’t good enough,” he said. “There was so much I did not know [about God].”
In the peaceful surroundings of Mystic Lake Lodge, a handful of couples have the space to engage with and ask questions during intensive Biblical marriage enrichment courses offered during their stay.
Troy took advantage of the chance to ask apologist and cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace—who helped teach the seminars—lots of questions about faith.
Wallace has served in law enforcement for over 35 years, and Troy felt comfortable opening up to him. Troy also began to observe the difference Christ has made in the lives and marriages of other couples who helped lead the seminars.
Hearing testimonies of God’s faithfulness and watching how these spouses interacted with each other encouraged Troy to reevaluate his relationship with God and his wife.
As God worked in his heart, Troy realized his deep need for a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Finally grasping the fact that salvation is a gift from God that can’t be earned, Troy decided to allow Him to change his heart.
Later that week, Wallace baptized him in the frigid lake as Melinda and other law enforcement couples cheered in celebration of his newfound faith in Christ.
Since their time in Alaska, Troy and Melinda have continued to experience Christ’s work in their marriage and personal lives.
“There are going to be struggles, but you can work through them,” said Troy. “I am much more forgiving and try to be much more understanding of [Melinda’s] needs and wants rather than being focused on getting my way.”
Troy’s new relationship with Jesus Christ also helps him see “the bigger picture,” that amid chaos and stress in the line of duty, he can take refuge in God.
Interested in attending a Marriage Resiliency Retreat next summer? Applications open this fall.
