Police Chaplaincy Report
Posted on July 22, 2010 by Jack and Phyllis Poe, OKC Police Chaplains
ON THE JERICHO ROAD…..
Jack and I had a really wonderful trip yesterday. We drove to Camp Gruber at Braggs, Oklahoma. There is a camp there called “CAMP DEFY!” (Drug Education For Youth). The camp is for disadvantaged kids from ages 8-17. This week they have 37 campers.
Camp Defy! was begun by one of our lieutenants who is a strong Christian man. In fact, he was one of the very first officers to purchase Police Bibles for all his officers. Thank God for a leader who exemplifies Christian principles as he leads these kids and these young volunteer officers! This is the fourth year that our Oklahoma City Police Department officers have given themselves, their energy, their determination, and their commitment to make a difference in the lives of these very special kids.
While we were there, we observed (and got to take part in) exercises in Team Effort. Becoming a team takes strong boundaries and these kids were getting hands-on experience. Having the attitude that, “I am a part of a team,” is much better than being a part of a gang. They are taught to say “no” to drugs, gang, violence, graffiti drawings, and destructive behavior and to recognize that the officers are “for them, not against them.” Sometimes, the only experience these kids have may be in the back of a squad car on the way to the Juvenile Detention Center. This camp is a proactive way for our officers to deal with these kids in a very real way.
Please continue to pray for grant money that supports these types of projects within our police department.
Camp DEFY! Training topics:
* CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, AND OTHER DRUGS
* COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PARENTS
* HISTORY OF OUR AMERICAN FLAG
* SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS
* DRUG RESISTANCE AND INFORMATION SKILLS:
SAYING NO
* TEAM BUILDING: GENERAL SOCIAL SKILLS
* PHYSICAL FITNESS, ETC.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our ministry here at the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Please pray for the committee who is working on hiring a replacement for staff chaplain.
(I Corinthians 9: 22-23)