WAVERLY TWP. — Members of Evangelical Free Bible Church honored local public servants at a free dinner on March 18 for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and military personnel.
It was called Blessed Be the Peacemakers Dinner, named for the Bible passage in Matthew 5:9. It was to remind them that Jesus is their peacemaker, and they are peacemakers to the community. Organizers said the dinner was a way to show appreciation for those who serve the community.
“I’m excited to have these guys,” said Pastor Mike Measley.
Measley introduced guest speaker Detective Joe Racite of the Carneys Point, New Jersey, police department. Racite shared his thoughts based on the problems that people in public service face when responding to a call, such as “What if I’ve been there sooner” or “What if I handled the situation better?”
“It’s a struggle to serve in the public no matter what profession we are,” he said. “We make critical decisions under the public scrutiny and often times over incidents that we know are decisions that are going to effect the outcome of someone’s life.”
Racite told his fellow peacemakers that they are accomplishing God’s purpose on this earth by both confronting evil and providing hope to others.
“We’re making sense out of a chaotic world,” he said.
Measley awarded the “peacemakers” thank-you gifts, which were provided by church members. The gifts included restaurant coupons, a pocket knife, a booklet of the Gospel of John, and a CD with stories of people who find God as their peacemaker.
“Tonight, we want to thank you,” Measley said.
