Editor note: Law Enforcement Today proudly launched a brand new channel on Pray.com - the largest faith-based app in the world. On that channel is this new series - Sheepdog and Shepherd - where we talk all about God's hand in law enforcement. It's free to watch... but subscribers get all sorts of bonus content - and every single penny donated to our channel gets fully reinvested into telling stories like this one. Thanks for checking it out and helping us to continue to show how God is on the move. Watch the latest episode here.
--
In the latest episode of “Sheepdog and Shepherd,” the hosts sit down with Liberty University Police Chief Jerry Irwin for a powerful conversation about revival, calling, and what it means to serve a generation of young believers. From a crowded men’s worship night in Jacksonville to the daily work of protecting one of the largest Christian universities in the world, the episode traces how faith and service intersect to shape lives and communities.
The conversation opens with a story from The Church of Eleven22’s “Saturated” week, when thousands of men gathered for worship. Host Kyle Reyes recalled pulling into the campus to see “a line, almost a mile long to get into the parking lot,” adding, “I really think that revival is here. I think the tide has turned.” After years of cultural division and anti-police rhetoric, he said people are “finally seeing our nation turn back to God.”
Irwin shares how God brought him from Coral Springs, Florida, where he spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement, to Liberty University.
“I'm the Chief of Police at Liberty University Police Department,” he said. After retiring as a captain, he had no plans to take another job. “God brought me to Liberty,” he said. “I'm literally living the dream right now.”
Irwin described Liberty’s purpose as clear and unchanged. “The mission of Liberty University is training champions for Christ,” he said. The department sees that mission as its own. “We're protecting kids that are one day going to change the world for the better.”
To serve in such an environment, Irwin emphasizes three qualities. “We look for the three C's,” he explained. “Character, competency, and culture.” Many applicants arrive with impressive certifications, but “if you don't have the culture, you're not going to get through the process.”
At Liberty, this means openly and boldly supporting a Christian community. “Every day at briefings, we do a devotional. We pray out every day,” he said. Officers often pray with students, something the hosts said would be unthinkable in many departments.
During Liberty’s massive commencement weekend in May, a family struggled with their autistic child, who was overwhelmed by the crowds. Officer Lewis noticed, approached him gently, and spent nearly an hour building rapport. Eventually, he carried the boy back to the family’s seats so they could watch the graduation together.
The photo went viral, but Irwin stressed it was typical. “That's the type of work we do every day,” he said.
Irwin’s own journey to faith is equally compelling. He was raised Jewish. Years later, after dating the Christian woman who would become his wife, he began meeting with a pastor. When asked why he thought he would go to heaven, Irwin gave the common answer of being a good person. The pastor opened Scripture to show him the Bible’s Gospel message. “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one gets to the Father but through me,” he read from John 14:6. Irwin accepted Christ on December 23, 1993.
Following God’s leading eventually brought his family to Liberty. When Liberty called about the chief position, Irwin prayed a simple prayer: “God, tell me what you want me to do. I'm surrendering to you.” The answer was unmistakable.
The episode ends with a message of bold faith. Kyle reminds listeners of the biblical friends who lowered a paralyzed man through a roof to reach Jesus. “They love you enough to bring you to Jesus regardless of what it takes,” he said. He urged families, officers, and believers to do the same.
By the way, this episode was brought to you by our friends at Clear Armor - a company that holds a patent and is a proven armor security solution that transforms your glass into armor.
In light of recent attacks, such as the recent horrible shooting at a Catholic church, it's time for every business, school, and house of worship to investigate using a product like this. Check them out today.
Comments