Counties evangelist, Steve Cowles, shares the amazing testimony of a former high-ranking police officer.

“It’s you! You started all this! You are the only one in 30 years in the cops who told me about God!”

This is what I heard when I walked into a Christian Police Association meeting last December. Claire was the speaker for the evening! I was totally floored. When I knew Claire, she was very sceptical, but questioning.

She had then retired from the police and I never heard from her again until that meeting. I had no idea she’d had a “Damascus road” experience and that she was now training for ministry!

Deb and I have met with her and it’s fantastic to see her energy and enthusiasm for her newfound faith.

She wanted to write a thank you to all of you. I’m humbled by what she wrote, but I thought it was valuable for you to understand the situations I minister in and have you hear about it from an officer’s perspective. We hope it encourages you.

Steve Cowles with Lancashire police

Letter from Claire

I first met Steve about 6 years ago in his capacity as a police chaplain, a role in which he is a supporter and guide to many. He clearly displays a gift of great wisdom in recognising the very unique stressors and strains of the policing role.

Steve has a wonderful way of conversing with those of all faiths and none. He manages to negotiate certain of his own Christian non-negotiables in a tactful, non-abrasive manner, centred around openness and care. This is a tricky path to navigate in a postmodern community that is often atheistic or apathetic, that is overt in its acceptance of sex before marriage and extramarital affairs.

Despite this, Steve counsels officers from all diverse parts of the constabulary and in particular find a real affinity with Muslim officers who are keen to hear his perspective, recognising Steve’s solid interfaith knowledge. Steve’s ability to remain strong to his own beliefs in such restless waters is a testament to his communication skills and genuine love for those he serves. I am aware of officers who have recognised their erroneous behaviours after conversing with Steve when their colleagues have merely condoned them.

Officers appreciate his seemingly fatherly but deeply caring advice. Steve is passionate about wellbeing and uses his own love of country sports and outdoor living to bring hope, respite, and peace to the lives of police families via his many retreats and family days. Literally, thousands of officers have benefitted from these occasions to truly spend quality family time.

Steve of course has a vibrant faith that shines from him and provides his rule of life. Where appropriate he is explicit about his faith, and it is a clear light that gives him an aura of peace, drawing people to him. Steve is more than happy to impart the truths about his sense of peace.

As a high-ranking female officer, I had several light faith-based conversations with Steve on various policing ‘corridors of power’ as we called them. Something about the total immersion in the love of God intrigued me about this chaplain.

I was not a person of faith. Over a period of weeks, Steve kindly gave me gifts of words of scripture, and as I had explained I was a visual person, he brought me a Bible, full of colour and art. These interactions brought me to faith in a beautiful way. A few years on I find myself about to be ordained as a Church of England priest.

If this is not a testimony to the mustard seeds that Steve scatters so naturally in his wake, I don’t know what is! Steve is a wonderful and vibrant pastor. He is an imaginative and engaging public speaker and he has a rare natural ability to speak at the level of his audience, in terms they can understand, and at their speed. Such wisdom takes years to mature, and Steve is now on fire with the faith of Christ, his experience, and his ability to deliver it in practical terms.

The lives of countless police officers have been changed for the better through Steve’s retreat days, workplace interventions, lectures, and just ‘being’. He is great company, interesting, and has a fabulous and equally Spirit-filled and talented wife at his side.

Claire McEnery Retired Detective Superintendent

Trainee Vicar, Church of England