For decades, undercover narcotics agents also served as pastors, merging law enforcement and faith.
Dale Sutherland’s story is a fascinating and dynamic journey. Known as the “Masked Pastor,” the preacher worked for 29 years as an undercover police officer, “purchasing drugs and helping underprivileged people rebuild their lives through pastoral ministry,” according to his official biography.
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One of the most fascinating aspects of his story focuses on the tensions he faced. It’s about putting people in prison and trying desperately to provide them with freedom from mental bondage. Sutherland told CBN News that his path to law enforcement began at Bible college.
“I was working in security and I met some police officers there and started listening to their stories,” he said. “And I also wanted to work in an urban environment. I thought that should be my ministry.”
Sutherland was intrigued by their stories and wondered what it would be like to work in law enforcement for a few years. So he joined thinking he would learn more about the streets while honing his missionary skills.
“I joined hoping to get some additional Bible education,” he said. “I was learning not only about Bible college, but also about the people in the city.”
However, law enforcement eventually became his career, and Sutherland served for a total of 29 years. Along the way, he found himself evangelizing not only his fellow police officers, but also the people he arrested. And for the last 12 years of his police career, he served as a youth pastor at his church, a very interesting dual role.
Sutherland said he often witnessed incarcerated men discovering Jesus in prison. Sadly, not much street ministry reached them beforehand, but an arrest could make all the difference for a criminal.
“There will be a pastor (behind prison) and there will be a way,” he said. “And I spoke to many people who came to faith while being locked up.”
He even recalled that one day near the end of his career, he helped lead a cartel member to Jesus in his office.
“He prayed and dedicated his life to the Lord and wanted to get out of the business,” Sutherland said. “So I’ve had that experience, and well, I’ve had a million other experiences where there was nothing else.”
Another man served five years in federal prison and eventually got out to become a pastor. The two are now in ministry together, helping to spread the gospel.
Sutherland is also the founder of Boost Others, an organization that helps families in crisis after receiving calls from social workers, police officers, firefighters and teachers. He said the organization does not “do everything” but is working to fill gaps in services.
In one incident, Boost Others provided comfort to a terminally ill child undergoing cancer treatment. The family did not have the funds to purchase the bag needed to fill the child’s IG tube with fluid, so the organization provided the $200 needed to purchase the formula and bag, supporting the family until the child was cured and cancer-free.
In another example, a sexual abuse victim decided to become a lawyer and worked hard to overcome the trauma and get into a good school. Due to lack of resources, she was unable to obtain a computer.
“God opened the door to provide Mr. Boost with the brand new computer of his dreams,” the group said in a statement. “Despite this attack, she is recovering and on her way to achieving her dreams.”
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