A few years ago Juarez, Mexico, was rated the “murder capitol of the world.” A staggering number of over 10,000 people have been murdered since 2007 with the murder rate hitting an all-time high in 2009. Thievery, drug trafficking, and tensions between rival gangs have made Juarez a difficult and dangerous place to live.
The murder rate has been steadily dropping the past few years. But the crisis of extended violence in the daily working environment of the police force has taken a toll—particularly on the police officers’ marriages. They are desperate for help and encouragement.
FamilyLife offered some real encouragement in the form of a seminar designed specifically for police: “Managing Crisis in Your Marriage.” This seminar delivered the most important, urgently needed solution that could strengthen struggling marriages: the power of the gospel.
Our team was invited to present the seminar three times to three different groups of policemen and their wives. Over 360 attended, and 143 prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior! These new believers are now being followed up by a pastor and lay leader couples from a Juarez church.
Why such a high response to the gospel?
Only God knows that answer. But I would offer this observation: when people are hurting and view their situation (in this case, relationships) as hopeless, they are eager to listen and respond to a message of hope.
