Lutheran police chaplain encourages colleagues to use devotional books

WICHITA, Kans.––The Rev. Richard Hartman, chaplain of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department spoke at the July 22-26 International Conference of Police Chaplains here.

He told some 300 chaplains of the rich history of Strength for Service to God and Community, a book of daily devotions written for police officers and other first responders. He also told them how helpful the books have been and about the many expressions of appreciation he has received.

Hartman is nominated to serve as a member of the executive board of the Nashville-based non-denominational ministry. The board will elect two new members at a September 27-28 meeting.

Following Hartman’s address, scores of chaplains scurried up the steps to the second floor of the Hyatt Regency Wichita Hotel where Larry Coppock, executive director of the Strength for Service ministry, chatted with them and presented them with sample copies of the pocket-size book.

All the books are given free thanks to the support of the Steward Foundation.

Since this is the seventh time Coppock has staffed the annual meeting of police chaplains, many of the chaplains simply stopped by the exhibit area to thank the executive for making the books available.