As August ebbs away, we’re aware that inexorably the end of the year will soon be upon us. Early in December the board of Onesimus Ministries is tasked with formulating the budget for the following ministry year. Each and every member takes very seriously the responsibility to be good stewards of the generosity of our benefactors, who’ve shared their treasures from God. These donations help the incarcerated men & women at Chester County Prison to hear the Good News, and to come to Jesus to not only change their own destinies, but also those of their family for hopefully generations to come. (A personal aside: That is exactly what happened to me while at CCP in December 1998, and why I always say the 8 months I was imprisoned there was the greatest blessing of my life.)
The primary expenses of Onesimus are the salaries of our wonderful chaplains. Their heart for the inmates, dedication, and the light that they bring to a dark place certainly justifies significantly greater compensation, yet, as with all of the Christian life there is an inherent duty to juggle grace with truth. So, while the Board relies on typical financial tools such as year-to-date giving vs. prior years, budget vs. actual expenses, the bank balance, and inflation in budget planning, we are a faith-based ministry, and so trust in the Lord’s providence is also an essential consideration.
In 1 Timothy 5:18 (NKJV), Paul quotes Moses in referring to ministers saying “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (I deliberately left out the first part of that verse: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” for fear of having Heinrich & Rhonda identified with oxen.) While we’re instructed to “Walk by faith, not by sight,” in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV), Jesus also references Moses “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” in Luke 4:12 (NIV)
Thus, we attempt to counterbalance good financial management practices with the reality and recognition of the Lord’s faithfulness in sustaining Onesimus Ministries for more than 40 years, even when its finances seemed akin to the poor widow in donating her 2 small copper coins.
Both Rhonda and Heinrich have made clear on multiple occasions that if OMI would ever fall on hard times, they’ll still be at CCP ministering to both women & men – salary or no salary. I cannot express how their heart to serve the Lord – NO matter what – has relieved the board members of the pressure to fulfill our duties.
So, we continue to thank God for bringing such wonderful servants to our midst – neither of whom appeared to initially be the obvious successors to Peter Roomet & Lil Anthony as chaplains. Please pray for the Board to be infused with the knowledge of God’s will as we look to 2026 & beyond. Thank you for your past, present, and future support for this ministry in investing for eternity.