About Spirit of the Law Ministries
Founded in 1984 by Missionary Ricky Jones, Spirit of the Law Ministries began with the Spirit of the Law Awards, a Christian ceremony honoring men and women of the United States Military and Law Enforcement who embodied Christ’s words in Luke 10:25–37 by serving selflessly and sacrificially. These heroes gave of their own time and resources to assist those in need in the communities, counties, and states they served.
The ministry quickly grew in scope and impact. U.S. Congressmen and State Senators began to participate as presenters at the awards ceremonies, recognizing the extraordinary contributions of these individuals. At its peak, the program received between 23,000 and 27,000 nominations annually for its eight categories, awarding only two recipients per category each year.
Beyond the awards, Ricky Jones used his unique opportunities as a technical and scene structure consultant for Hollywood films such as Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer to advocate for veterans and retired law enforcement officers, convincing Director Antoine Fuqua to hire them as part of the productions. During filming, Ricky visited prisons and military bases near the shooting locations, leading Bible studies and baptizing those who chose to follow Christ. He also persuaded the producers to hold the films’ red-carpet premieres at Camp Pendleton and New York City, raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project and the NYPD Widow Endowment Fund.
In 2012, the ministry added a Praise and Worship Night to accompany the awards ceremony, making the entire weekend a time of spiritual renewal and celebration. Both the recognition ceremony and worship events were always free to attendees.
Ricky’s heart for those who serve continued to grow. Hired as the Central Texas Regional Director for the Texas Law Enforcement PEER Network, he began studying the causes of suicide among law enforcement, active-duty military, and veterans. His findings led to the creation of a free PEER Network training and app for Fort Cavazos, where he partnered with Colonel Luis Kruger to fight to bring the heartbreaking rate of 27 military suicides per day to zero.
Luke 10:25–37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” — Luke 10:36–37
At Spirit of the Law Ministries, our mission is rooted in the words of Jesus in Luke 10:25–37, where He calls us to serve selflessly and show mercy to those in need. Through the We Choose The Light Christian Concert, we carry this calling forward, standing on the promise of John 8:12 that those who follow Christ will “not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We believe every military member, veteran, and first responder embodies John 15:13, laying down their lives in service to others, and we seek to strengthen and restore their families through worship and the Word. As Matthew 5:14–16 reminds us, we are the light of the world, called to let our light shine before others, and through this festival we proclaim healing and hope: to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1–3), to comfort the weary (Psalm 34:18), and to declare the courage and strength God promises in Joshua 1:9. Together, we choose the light of Christ to bring life, renewal, and faith to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.