1,000 Philippine Police Dedicate Lives to Christ After Watching 'Courageous'
An estimated 1,000 policemen from the Philippines have dedicated their lives to Christ after watching screenings of the American film "Courageous."
Rob Carter, director of Missions for JARON Ministries International, Inc., helped oversee the planning out and screening of "Courageous" before an estimated 4,000 police officers.
"It began when I traveled to Manila last March to meet with the staff of Christ Commission Fellowship Church to share with them our plan for 'Central Valley Police Week' in California that [we] were planning for the premiere of 'Courageous,'" said Carter to The Christian Post.
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From there, said Carter, JARON Ministries and other evangelical groups came together and organized an event similar to "Central Valley Police Week."
Carter also told CP that his efforts would not have been successful were it not for the cooperation of the leadership of the Philippine National Police.
"The response of the top leadership of the Philippine National Police was so positive, supportive, and welcoming; and the strategy is now in place to blanket the nation with the same program," said Carter.
"The bigger vision is to partner with Filipino police leaders to take ministry to police to the world. The reason is because the Filipino passport is the most widely accepted passport in the world."
"Courageous," released last year, is the evangelical-themed box office hit film written by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. The film follows the lives of four police officers who pledge to become godly men as husbands and fathers.
In an interview with CP, Stephen Kendrick said that he was "blown away" by the news of his film's success abroad regarding evangelism efforts.
"I was floored by the news and am blown away at what God is doing through Courageous," said Kendrick, who added that since the film's release it has been used by churches to witness to policemen in the United States and abroad.
"Countless churches have been using Courageous to reach out to police officers in their communities. We have been hearing stories of them coming to Christ, being strengthened in their families, and also encouraged in their jobs," said Kendrick.
"Internationally, there were 700 police officers in Panama who drove up to 4 hours to meet together and watch the movie together. Many wanted to sign a resolution after they saw the movie! We are very grateful."
The news came to Kendrick as he and his brother continue to speak at events across the country on the value of biblical manhood and fatherhood. Earlier this month, hundreds gathered for a seminar series featuring Kendrick at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, Va. The event focused on being a godly man in modern American society.
"My brother Alex and I have been traveling across the country and sharing what God's Word says to men about being courageous men of God, strong husbands, and engaged fathers," said Kendrick.
"A law enforcement officer is supposed to 'serve and protect' those under his care. This phrase is often written on their uniform or badge. This parallels very well into what a father is to do for his family."
