First Responders

Alex Pickens III grew up in Detroit, MI, one of the most segregated cities in America.

As a high school student, he picked up his brother and neighbors in a suburban school district.  Police followed him and cornered his car.  "Get out, hands on the hood, don't move."  Alex complied, provided identification and was later told his stop was a case of mistaken identity.  

For sixteen years, he vowed to stay out of suburbs; developing his education, career and homes in big cities until a suburban pastorate opened painful memories.

Alex meditated on Psalm 27 and confessed his fear of the police.  He walked toward his fears: knocked on the suburban precinct door; did a ride along and completed a citizen's police academy.  Each encounter revealed opportunities to share the Gospel.

Alex now serves as a chaplain through Reliant and the International Conference of Police Chaplains

Chaplaincy is a way Alex obeys the words of Jesus to, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I [Jesus] have commanded you.”

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