The Atlantis Northern Metropole District Spiritual Crime Prevention Executive Committee hosted a “Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum Meeting” on Wednesday 6 March in Sherwood Park, Atlantis. Local chairperson Rev Steven Alberts said different police stations attended the event and explained what the purpose of these structures are.
He said the core work of the Spiritual Crime Prevention committee is to provide one-to-one, long-term support to police members and their families.
According to Alberts the group operates on a referral basis and receives requests from police management, nursing, physicians, social workers, patient representatives, clergy, patients and family members.
“Your calling as Spiritual Crime Prevention is not just to provide a religious support to police and offer prayers at meetings and gatherings,” he said. “We have a higher purpose, and it is our responsibility to help persons grow in their relationship with God, to help people grow in their relationships to one another and become a true comrade/sister to one another.
“To serve as a reminder of the transcendent in life, to develop an environment in which comrades and sisters are encouraged in their personal and collective moral and spiritual growth and remind all South Africans that God is the source of all rights and privileges.
“We must be reminded that the Spiritual Crime Prevention committee is comprehensive in nature, embracing all religions and faith groups within its ranks. Spiritual Crime Prevention, being non-sectarian, must minister to the spiritual needs of all with church, synagogue or mosque affiliation, or non-affiliation, and need to provide ministry to people wherever there is a need.
“We have an important role to play in our national structure and throughout the country. Whatever the reason for our selection for playing a crucial role, whether it’s because of our religious training or other experiences, we are expected to act as spiritual advisers to the Atlantis police.
“We are not expected to know everything, but its expected to search for the answer and get back to the individual. We should not be afraid to ask questions whenever necessary because there are many ministers of faiths or denominations and churches that are willing to assist.
The local structure is, chairman Alberts, deputy chairman Edward Wyngard, secretary Rev Tielman, deputy secretary Pastor Alta Swartz and treasurer Pastor Willie Jacobs. Additional members are Apostle Denise Jeneker and Elder Lukas Duran.
