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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Never underestimate having the peace of God in your heart, especially if you’re a raging Type A personality like me – we need everything planned out and executed specifically as planned.  We can get completely stressed out over lots of little things.  And it gets real bad when you have a major part in numerous events across all the organizations you’re involved with, and those events take place rapid-fire over the course of one week.  A tsunami of stress – that’s been me over the past week.

One place I can always let go is prayer time in the prison.  Banking on the Holy Spirit to show up and provide the words is both freeing and faith-strengthening.  I need to learn to “let go and let God” in other areas – every area – of my life as well.  I really need to live under the manta “God’s got this” – how about you?

I don’t believe God wants us stressed out, especially in ministry.  It’s not very attractive to others, and is more an example of self-reliance than faith.  Oh Lord, help me to rely more on you, and less on me.  Another source of peace for me and the inmates is knowing how all you prayer warriors take this weekly email to heart, how you pray for us, and pray through the requests published each week.  What a blessing you are!  Thank you for all you do, and may God bless you in a special way today.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• Rick C– for volunteer Jose and his family in the midst of a family emergency, praying for peace, guidance, protection, and wholeness.  And thanks for brother Andy’s flexibility to cover the music.
• John– God return us to our families. Also want to pray for the guy who put me in here, he’s only 30 and suffering with liver failure and needs a transplant – pray for his family.
• Morgan– for my family, for all of us here, that we can pray for each other and help one another while we’re here.
• Deron– for my Mom, that everything goes well with her, my probation, and for more faith, healing, and redemption.
• Jon– for my family, children, all our kids, and all those who don’t know the Lord.  Also pray for reconsideration of sentence, may the judge have a softened heart and give me another chance, I’ll find out May 14.  Also pray for strong faith, to not lose faith, and for protection with the full armor of God.  Thanks to all the volunteers coming in each week, pray for their safe travels.
• Khalil– I have court on Thursday, pray no more charges get added – I’ll own up to what I’ve been charged with but don’t want them to pile it on.  Pray for mercy and compassion in court.
• Phil T– for a lady in my office (Stephanie) having a baby, and for my daughter’s employer (Dzuzhanna) who is separated from her husband due to an abusive situation.
• Dan T– for my brother-in-law with rapid mental decline – he didn’t remember my name.  Pray for opportunity to witness and that he can understand enough to accept Christ.
• Nicholas– for new beginnings.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Donny– my daughter, my granddaughter, my family, and my Aunt Janice with stage 4 lung cancer, she’s not doing well. Also want to lift up our brother Jeremiah who got a really heavy sentence and may already be up state.
• Mark– pray for some good news on Thursday.
• Vince– for my son (Parker) and my fiancé – that they are happy and doing well.  Pray especially for my son, I know it will be a long time before I can see him again.  Pray for my father (Joe) who is very stressed and having a hard time with the whole situation.  It’s going to be a hard year for everyone.
• Matt– for everyone in the room.
• Chris– willingness and strength to stay on the right path, and keep open mind.
• Will– for everyone in the prison, to get a court date by the end of this week, and to get my tooth pulled by next week – I’m in extreme pain.
• Ryan S– dealing with a couple of resentments- asking the Lord to soften my thinking.
• Andy D– for restoration of my friendship with Matt.  I was the one to blow things up.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• For all the last minute details to work out with our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
• Blessings upon our prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• For the many volunteers serving inside the prison and behind the scenes.
• Prison staff and their leadership to work out staffing issues, and all their families to be blessed.
• All the inmate’s families, who are also “doing time”.
• Grant the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county all they need to continue ministering to inmates released from CCP.  Bless the volunteers and all the clients integrating back into society.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

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www.onesimusministries.org

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Something happened last night in second service that reminds us why we do prison ministry.  I was the only volunteer in the chapel when the inmates were brought in early, and one young man commented he’s never been to chapel and just came for something to do.  The service began with Andy’s standard intro reminding the men we’re not there to talk about religion or a set of rules, but to share that God wants a relationship with each of us, then he briefly shares the gospel message.  We sang a few worship songs, then took prayer requests.  Since only 4 guys showed up, I asked each one individually what they would like prayer for.  Nobody opted-out, they all had something.

In typical fashion, I knelt down and began prayer time with scripture – Psalm 27:7-14 to be exact – then allowed the Holy Spirit to guide my words through the prayer requests.  Somewhere in all this, that young man’s heart was broken, and when it came to testimony time, he stood with tears in his eyes, barely able to speak, and told us he appreciated us being there and he wasn’t sure what he believes.  I forget his exact words, but it was evident God was doing a work in this young man.  We told him he was not there by accident – God has a plan. Please pray for Vince.

Andy followed up with him after the service to meet one-on-one with him, and for another soul in Chester County Prison, the adventure begins!  I love it when God allows us to see what He’s doing, and how He allows us to be part of it.  If you’ve never experienced something like this, then you need to get out and share Jesus!  It’s the thrill of a lifetime – literally (for the person you’re sharing with).  Your prayers for the chaplains, inmates, and volunteers undergird everything that happens in ministry out there.  Please continue to pray not just for them and the prayer requests, but that we’d get to be part of many more of these “harvest sightings”.  Thanks for all you do in His name!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Eugene– healing from wrist pain
• Javier– family, court date Saturday.
• Matthew– wisdom to know the difference.
• Manuel– my family, my court date next week.
• Rick C– for leadership of the U.S. and countries around the world to forge agreements, particularly concerning peace in war-torn areas. Also for our catholic brothers and sisters mourning the Pope’s passing, may they all come to trust in no one man but in Jesus Christ alone.

• Kenny– sciatic pain a little better after stretching. My counselor on vacation, waiting for him to explain next steps towards my release in 31 days.  Waiting for confirmation from judge that I’m actually leaving  in a month (he must sign package).  Pray my family and friends all doing well, for my time to continue going smooth and fast, and for everyone to gets a second chance with Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God get us home to our families.
• Timothy– haven’t spoken to anyone in my family in 4 years.  I want to learn more about the Bible.
• Jim M– for my aunt who just turned 90.
• Zier– for me, my family, and my 10 kids.
• Jon– I was just sentenced, praying for my motion for judge to reconsider and God would soften his heart.  Praying for strength, power, forgiveness, perseverance, and His glory.  Also pray that volunteers all get home safe and thanks for them coming in each week to share the Word with us.
• José– family, friends, freedom, and everyone in here.
• Dan T– brother-in-law with terminal Alzheimer’s-like condition, God show me the open door to witness, and pray he keeps it together long enough to accept Christ.
• Andy L– my mixed up neighborhood with 3 broken marriages and everyone dealing with major problems.
• Rick C– thanks that volunteer Erwin is back and feeling better, pray for recovery to continue to 100%.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Shaun– hope to be released next month, court date on 28th.  Pray for friends, family, guys back on the block and their families.
• Charlie– court date on the 14th, hope to get home.  My Dad (88) diagnosed with dementia and doesn’t want to go to doctor, I need to be home to help him.  My wife (Heather) having weight loss issues, asked doc for gastric bypass surgery but he said no.  Pray God would help her do it on her own.  Thankful she’s holding it all together at home with my Dad.
• Vince– my grandmother has dementia, hope she’s around until I get out.  For my family and my girlfriend (Amanda) on the outside to stay strong and wait – I want to get married.
• Will– for the troops overseas, all the sick and suffering, everyone in prison, and my family.
• Troy L– for my family, we have adult children and conflict going on right now – praying for peace in those relationships.
• Andy D– an old bandmate of mine passed away – he was a believer so he’s good, pray for his family.
• Matt R– my wife (Cari) needs to create healthy habits and take better care of herself.  Pray for her to stay strong in her walk with the Lord.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• For a successful event – our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton, pray all the details come together.
• Our prison Chaplain servants – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• All the volunteers who serve in prison ministry.
• Prison Leadership and all levels of prison staff, particularly anyone new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
• Please resolve staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
• The families of each inmate – they are also “doing time”.
• Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in Chester county, ministering to inmates released from CCP – may the ministry have all they need, and may each client be blessed as integrate back into society.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Walking through my neighborhood, Spring is in full bloom – life returns to our bleak landscape – reminding me of the new life Christ offers each of us.  We just celebrated on Sunday the most significant event in history – the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, proving beyond a doubt He was exactly who He said He was, and everything He said was true.  Did you know Christianity is the only world religion whose leader died and rose again, and now lives!  The Bible records how he was seen by over 500 people after His resurrection (1 Cor 15.6) before He ascended bodily to heaven, and now our Savior, King, and friend sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8.34).  What a wonderful circumstance!

As I type these words, I can see flowering trees across the street dancing in the breeze – so beautiful.  When I partake of nature’s beauty in our fallen world, it’s hard to imagine how much more beautiful it will be in the new Heaven and Earth promised in God’s Word.  How can we not want to share promises like that with everyone in our life?  We all know people we suspect are not walking with the Lord, and must pray for boldness to tell them how God loves them so much He sent His son to die for them, so they could be in paradise with Him forever (versus the alternative!)

I pray you all had a wonderful Easter.  Thank you for praying faithfully for all aspects of prison ministry at Chester County Prison – the chaplains, staff, inmates, and volunteers – and of course all the families.  You are a blessing to so many, and I hope you are truly blessed in return.  Have a wonderful spring day!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Manuel– my family.
• Kenneth– for my next hearing, I need some good news.  And for Jack Crans’ health.

• Kenny– sciatic pain getting better, only bad in the mornings.  Able to work again and not getting moved to Work Release Center.   Only 38 days left, and my Dad has made all the required adjustments to the house for my return.  It’s gun free and he just wants his son to come home. My good friend Sophie is doing well, and I pray my other friends like Jimmie and Frances are doing ok.  I pray for my family, and that my time goes smooth and fast.  And that everyone gets a second chance with Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• Rick C– For our catholic brothers and sisters mourning the death of Pope Francis, we pray that no one would put their trust in any one man but rather trust in Christ alone, He alone is worthy of all our praise!
• John– God bring us all home to see our families.
• Ross– this is my last week, I pray for everyone in here that they all have a good journey especially when they get out.
• José– family, friends, freedom.
• Jon– for my family, kids, world peace, perseverance, strength, and power – let none of us lose faith.  Also pray for volunteers coming out each week, and even on Easter, pray God would protect them and get them home safe.
• Jim M– for my son and my grandson.
• Dan T– my brother-in-law was just diagnosed with a terminal Alzheimer’s-like condition, and time is running out.  Pray now more than ever he would be receptive to the Good News and pray God provides the right opportunity.
• Rick C– for our brother Dan who spent Thursday night in cardiac unit at Chester County Hospital, pray his heart stays strong and in rhythm without medication.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Rick C– For our catholic brothers and sisters mourning the death of Pope Francis, we pray that no one would put their trust in any one man but rather trust in Christ alone, He alone is worthy of all our praise!
• Jeremiah– for the volunteers coming out each week, for my children, and my sentencing hearing on Friday -praying for mercy and compassion.
• Mark– to have a good hearing tomorrow (Tue).
• Donny– for family and friends, and a good clean life when I get out of here. Also want to pray for a guy back on the block (Jeff) who has sentencing this Friday.
• Matt R– for the family and friends of a special needs student of mine, just 17 years old, who passed away last week.
• Andy D– my sister (Donna) didn’t make it out to church yesterday, pray that God opens doors for me to have a faith conversation with her.
• And we pray for all of our family members who aren’t walking with the Lord – that we may be so bold to share with them, and pray for their salvation.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• For a great turnout at our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton, and for all the details to come together.
• For our wonderful prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• For all the volunteers serving inside the prison and behind the scenes.
• For Prison Staff and Leadership, especially those new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
• For quick resolution of staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
• For every inmate and their family members, who are also “doing time”.
• For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county that minister to former inmates integrating back into society.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Holy Week, we reflect on the events between Jesus being hailed during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem all the way through His crucifixion on Good Friday.  The Passion of Christ, as we call it, may sound strange to those hearing it the first time – How could crowds follow Him, witness His miracles, hear His teachings, celebrate His coming with palm branches, then in a few short days demand His execution?  I imagine it was a confusing time in Jerusalem.  Religious leaders maintained their powerful status and control, yet the teachings of Jesus made such sense, spoken with such authority.

Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” (Luke 9.18-19)

Coupled with belief the Messiah King would come in power to usher in His Kingdom, there must have been such confusion of who Jesus really was and what He was going to do.  Of course the events of Holy week were ordained by God to happen the way they did, I just imagine the level of uncertainty and confusion for so many in the crowds.

Do we see similar levels of confusion in our world today about who Jesus is and what He is all about? I’d say so.  The truth seems so elusive, and can really only be found in one place – the Word of God.  Every week in the prison we share from God’s Word and point to it as the only source of real truth.  And it all points to Jesus who said of Himself “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14.6)  This week, may we all marinate and meditate on the absolute Truth who is our Savior King, as we anticipate celebrating His resurrection this coming Sunday.  Be blessed my friends!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Andy– my need for patience and greater love.
• Eugene– all of us to mature in love towards Him and others, and experience transformation through renewing of our minds.
• Kenneth– patience, understanding, and a forgiving heart especially towards my family.  For my girl and kids to have forgiveness and understand my standing up for the truth and not just taking a deal to get home sooner.  Help us all learn the lessons the Lord is teaching us and get me home.  Help me to let go and let God’s will be done in my life.
• Manuel– family.
• Javier– family.

• Kenny– having serious sciatic nerve pain in hip and lower right side, currently unable to work, and they upped my meds.  Pray they can figure out what’s going on and what’s next.  If no longer able to work, could get moved to Work Release Center in 2 weeks.  My friend Sophie moved into an apartment, pray she is happy in her own space now.  Pray for family and friends to all be doing well, that my time continues to go smooth and fast, and everyone gets a 2nd chance through Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God bring us all home.
• Ross– 12 days until time maxxed out [must be released], need a place to live – Elwyn did not accept me.  Pray for all the court dates for these guys, and everything to go good for us.  Also praying for family of women in situation [I didn’t catch details, but God knows them].
• Phil T– my son-in-law (Alan) up for a big promotion, told him I’d pray for him, and I pray that would open other opportunities to witness to him, especially if he gets it.
• Jon– upcoming court dates, peace in war-torn places like Ukraine, God please show us your mercy and let us go home. Prayer of thanks for the volunteers coming each week to worship with us and share with us. God help us put on full armor of God, especially when we get out of this place, and renew our minds.
• Dave– be reunited at home with my family, they are having tough time.
• Jim M– for my 5 grandchildren and their salvation, and salvation of everyone in this place.
• Dan T– volunteer Erwin very sick, suffering with viral bronchitis for last 2 weeks – prayers for quick healing and full recovery.
• Jose G– everyone here to know Christ, and when released to find a Biblical church and fellowship with brothers in Christ.  Praise that my son and his family have made decision to move back east from Colorado with their new child – answered prayer of us as new grandparents.  Pray they can sell house quickly and find a nice house here.
• Dan T– my brother-in-law to accept Christ, and more opportunities to witness to him.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Kevin– all goes well in court and I get to go home tomorrow and see kids, son, and Mom.  To stay close to God.
• Donny– my family, my son is going to court this month-pray things turn out well.
• Luis– family, wife, mother, brother, sister.
• Javier– wife, son, family, court tomorrow, everyone here.
• José– family, brother, wife.
• Raheem– my grandmother’s on dialysis, and my fiancé.
• Jeremiah– my children, and for God to restore broken relationships.
• Martin– court date on 22nd, hope to see my church this Saturday.
• Aaron– family, peace and strength.
• Hadeem– the staff.
• Frank– family.
• Denny– family, continued growth spiritually, I’m 10 months sober.
• Todd– family, all the families represented here, and for [friend/relative – didn’t catch details] who died.
• Will– men and women still suffering with diseases and addictions, and the children born into it, and for my family.
• Isaiah– family, friends, loved ones, my court date to go well, and safe transfer in a week.
• Louis– my daughter.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• For final organizing and for plentiful attendance at our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
• Blessings of strength and wisdom for prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• Hearts filled with the joy of the Lord for all the volunteers, serving in the prison and behind the scenes.
• God’s love and peace for Prison Staff and Leadership, especially those new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
• That God would make a way of resolution to staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
• Spiritual wellbeing of every inmate and their family, who are also “doing time”.
• Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county to have all they need to effectively minister to inmates integrating back into society.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

[To view in a browser, visit this Link]

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Prison chapel services can become rather routine, then there are nights like last night, making me wonder if it was a full moon or something.  The men in both services seemed much more verbally interactive than normal.  We volunteers must be ready for almost anything, like someone standing up and professing the similarities between Muslim and Christian religions, how we all worship the same God, and there are many paths to God.  Yikes!  What would you do?

It’s a real balancing act – we don’t want to call out or humiliate an inmate in front of peers, but we also can’t let heresy or untrue statements remain unopposed (silence is consent).  How about another inmate claiming the devil was inside him that morning.  Hmm.  We don’t want to confront any inmate over their perception, but rather encourage them with the Truth of God’s word, which of course addresses any situation we can think of (we just need to find it!).

How often in our interactions with others or in groups do we hear something we simply know is not true?  Are we called to correct others in their thinking?  I think it depends on what we know about them.  Taking a huge clue from how Jesus treated people, He exhorted and sometimes rebuked Jewish leaders who studied God’s Law and should know the truth, yet He took the time to teach, gently correct, and encourage those who didn’t know any better.  The important thing is that we say something – God does not need us to defend Him or His Word, but in love we should want others to know the Truth.

I pray our great God gives all of us the words and the boldness to speak up when we find ourself in such situations, and bring to mind 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.  THANK YOU for all the great words you lift each week to our Heavenly Father on behalf of the inmates, chaplains, volunteers, and staff at Chester County Prison.  God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Cotton– pray I can get home to be with my daughter on her birthday (Sep 2).
• Manuel– family.
• Javier– family.
• Gerald– I’m feeling stuck, need the Lord to get through, asking the Lord to help me see what’s holding me back, and that I can move on, and for peace.
• Kenneth– my son is having a hard time the last few weeks because I’m not there, pray for his comfort and peace.
• Roland– praise that more guys came out to chapel service this week.
• Andy D– for unforgiveness – show us Lord if we have it in our hearts and help us to forgive.

• Kenny– thinking a lot about what’s next when I’m released. My grandfather asks my Dad every day how I’m doing and is almost more excited than I am to get out. Can’t wait to see everyone.  Pray that they are all doing well, and my friends all doing OK, that my time continues to go smooth and fast, and that everyone realizes the 2nd chance they can get through Jesus. [NOTE: I also pray for other inmates to leave Kenny alone – I’ve heard of inmates getting so jealous of those nearing release that they incite violence with them to cause release date to be pushed back.]

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God get us all home.
• Marcus– grateful for God, pray for mental health of staff and inmates- this place affects everyone.  I was raised Baptist and converted to Muslim and now see how similar the religions are and there is more than one path to God. [NOTE: I addressed Marcus with John 14:6 where Jesus himself said no one comes to the Father but through Him, and he agreed.]
• Ross– 19 days left before I max out, need big prayer to be accepted into a place to live – Elwynd did not accept me.  Pray for those who went home today, for the court dates of all these guys, and for everything to work out for us.
• Travis– I had the devil in me this morning, pray for him to never come back [NOTE: I reminded  Travis in my prayer that if we have the Holy Spirit, light and darkness can’t occupy the same place at the same time, reference 2 Cor 6:14]
• Jon– love, peace, family, children, girlfriends, wives, thankful for the volunteers coming in each week, and thanks for our congregation in this service.  Pray for every Christian to put on the full armor of God to stand up to spiritual battles.
• Joseph– court date Wed, pray for release and get back to work so I can praise God and thank the Lord.
• Pablo– family, my boys, everyone in here.
• Phil T– my daughter-in-law (Hannah) is pregnant- pray all goes well with that, and pray for Hannah’s brother struggling with his future.
• Jose– for all those struggling with addiction, and pray for salvation of all those in Chester County Prison.
• Dan T– I began to witness to my brother-in-law, pray that he accepts Christ.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Jacob– for my wife to get through hardship without me, to love and forgive, our kids, and loved ones.
• Jeremiah– for broken relationships.
• Pat– for the best outcome of my situation- get a county sentence, for family.
• Aaron– get through this time and get home to family.
• Steven– my mother (Frances), children, girlfriend Melissa, and me.
• Matt– my girlfriend, family and friends, my callous heart.  Help me to keep smiling, deal with life, and push forward.
• Javier– wife, son, family, all of us here.
• Elizer– thankful for the volunteers, pray for everyone in here, my family, and a faster process towards release.
• Matt R– 2 guys in my life in the throes of addiction (Dan and Aaron)- pray they find the help they need.
• Donny– family, my son in here- pray good outcome of his court case, will see doctors soon about my heart issues.
• Mark– good outcome for my court case on 22nd, and for family.
• Jais– all of us in this room, my Mom is on life support, and that we can all make it on the outside.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Godly collaboration towards planning and organizing our first prison ministry benefit concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
• Our wonderful prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• All the dedicated volunteers, serving in the prison and behind the scenes.
• Prison Staff and Leadership, especially those new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
• Resolution to lingering staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
• Every inmate and their family, who are also “doing time”.
• Blessings upon Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in Chester county ministering to inmates after they are released.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

[To view in a browser, visit this Link]

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Interesting how last night in the prison, I was preaching through the book of Job on the storms of life and right outside the windows a physical storm was raging.  I didn’t bring that up, but I think some of the men put it together. And I think the key message of Job – trusting God and not obsessing about why something happened – was well received.  Too often in our humanity we want to know why – we ask God why is this happening to me?  Why me?  Why now?  Why this? All very self-centered questions, and not the right ones to ask.  Better questions are God-centered – What are you showing me?  What are you teaching me?  What in me must change?

I shared the journey of anguish and despair my wife and I travelled as we made the decision and followed through with putting our dog Benny to sleep.  It doesn’t compare to how Job lost everything, but the lessons learned in Job apply to any bad situation we find ourselves in.  And God always works good out of every situation for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8.28).  We may not see it for years, and maybe never see it this side of heaven, but we must continue to trust in the One who made all things.

Thank you for trusting God each week with all the prayer requests we send out.  You are truly a blessing to the men and women in prison, and we remind them of your faithfulness every week when we collect the prayer requests.  So don’t be surprised if several prayers are sent heavenward for each of you from them. Have a blessed week everyone!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Ken– I have court tomorrow and on the 2nd, pray it all goes well.
• Javier– family.
• Kenneth– for my family to figure out life decisions.  For my sister- God to keep working on her, and her twins, and her 3 yr old – fighting to get her kids back and learning how to be an adult, she lives a very self-centered life.  Pray for the men back on the block, and the whole jail system- it’s getting bad.
• Andy D– for my friend John to seek and find the joy of the Lord – he’s going through trials and is taking on a victim mentality.

• Kenny– Thankful for Dad’s visit on Tuesday and got to talk with Mom on phone. Getting excited, only 58 days to go, got my home plan accomplished [a requirement to be released], my cousins Becky and Josh keep asking my Dad about me and can’t wait for me to get home. Pray my family continues to do well, my time goes smooth and fast, and for everyone in here to get a 2nd chance with Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God bring us to our homes soon.
• Freedom– for peace of mind.
• Ross– I need good prayers, I’m 26 days until my max out date [when he must be released], praying for a good conversation with Parole Officer.  Pray for everyone in here and their family members, and all their court dates coming up.
• Jose– salvation for all souls in the prison, pray for those leaving to continue their faith journey, and pray for persecuted Christians around the world and in the prisons.
• Jon– for everyone’s court dates, for God to show His mercy, and we would all follow Christ at home, and help us maintain the full armor of God.  Also pray for my girlfriend and her relief from pain. Also pray for the volunteers- God bless them for coming in all these years.
• Hunter– everyone fighting addiction to stay sober – pray for strength and protection.
• Jim– my friend Mike’s wife broke her leg.
• Erwin– for the people of Myanmar, Thailand, and all the earthquake victims. Pray those governments would allow the international aid into the place that need it.
• Joseph– to do God’s will, trust in Him, and stay out of jail by imitating Him.
• Mackey– for all of us to be safe and have patience.
• Zare– for me, Mom, sister, nephew, and the whole family.
• Deron– for things to get better.
• José– family, friends, everyone in here.
• Phil T– for my daughter and her husband (Rob)- he doesn’t really have a plan to move forward in life and needs a better work ethic.  She wants children, God bless them with perfect timing.
• Dan T– for my brother-in-law and the opportunity to witness to him.
• For all the unspoken prayer requests of the men present in the service.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Jeremiah– for my kids to know the Lord, healing for my sister Tameka, and for things to go well at my court appearance on Wed.
• Donny– protection for my family, keep the volunteers safe when travelling home, for peace, and guide my family on the right path.  Also pray for the Air Conditioning to get fixed- the temperatures and humidity are disgusting.
• Don– for my cellmate who has court tomorrow- may his case be dismissed, and for my girlfriend Cheryl to understand the process of how things work in the prison.
• Luis– my wife, children, Mom, all of us here, and all of us in prison.
• Javier– my wife, son, family, my court case tomorrow.
• José– my family, my wife, my brother.
• Elizer– thankful for the volunteers, pray for everyone in here, my family, and a faster process towards release.
• For all the unspoken prayer requests of the men present in the service.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• For good teamwork as we plan and organize our first prison ministry benefit concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
• God bless our wonderful prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• Praise the Lord for dedicated volunteers, serving inside prison or behind the scenes.
• Lift up all the Staff and Leadership inside the prison, and their families.
• Pray for quick resolution of staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
• For all the inmates and their families who are also “doing time”.
• God bless the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations ministering to these inmates once they are released.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My wife and I never realized how much our lives revolved around our dog Benny, especially after becoming quite handicapped due to Degenerative Myelopathy (ALS for dogs).  He depended on us for almost everything. Pet owners understand the basic commitment to having a pet – always accounting for them when you go out or go away for a time – who will let them out, feed them, keep them company? That commitment goes through the roof if the pet becomes handicapped, but you just get used to it.

When the pet is gone, all that time spent caring for them is now freed up, and you feel a bit lost. The sadness for missing part of your family now compounded by lack of being needed so much. We just attended a funeral for a church friend who passed after a long battle with cancer, and I can’t imagine those same feelings amplified exponentially for the surviving spouse. Humans find great comfort in routine (even difficult or painful routines), and now your life – your routines – are completely upset and you’re not sure what to do.

Thank God for our hope in Jesus Christ!  Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He does not change like shifting shadows – we can always rely on Him.  And in these times of feeling lost, we have our church family, and all those we serve with in various ministries, to remind us with their presence and their words that we are not alone, God’s got this, and we’re going to be OK.  When we’re centered on Christ, we’ve got the ultimate firm foundation.  I can’t imagine living this life without the Hope of Christ.  And isn’t that God’s heart?  For us to seek out the hopeless and introduce them to Jesus?  That’s our goal every week in the prison, and someday in heaven we may find out just how many we helped.  And all that happens when bathed in prayer, and we so appreciate what all of you do each week, lifting up this ministry, the chaplains, the volunteers, and the inmates.  Prayer is critical – thank you for filling that need.  God bless you!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Eugene– sick at home with flu (from my granddaughter Journei).
• Kenneth– me and Taja to keep seeking the Lord and keep building, our kids, all the volunteers, and all our families.
• Javier– family
• Cotton– to be home for my Daughter’s birthday (Serena, on Sept 2)
• Roland D– praise that more guys showed up this week, and pray for even more next week.
• Joshua– for me, and for my Mom, my Dad died a few months ago from cancer.

• Kenny– for an older Muslim guy back on the block that I’ve been talking to, that he would come to know Jesus.  For my cellmate who switched from Christianity to Muslim (probably for protection since he’s known as a snitch), for God to give me the right words when I talk to these guys. Pray my family and friends doing well, my time to go smooth and fast, and pray for everyone to get a second chance through Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God bring us home to our families soon.
• Travis– for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
• Joseph– all the lost souls in the world.
• Jon– my family, my kids, our court dates – may God show His mercy and grace – and when we get out that our minds would be renewed, and protect us from the devil’s schemes that try to pull us back in.
• José– my family, my friends, my own life.
• Tim– for family, and that my appeal process goes well.
• Dan T– for God to show me the right opportunity to witness to my brother-in-law, and for him to finally accept Christ.
• Rick C– praise that my daughter and son-in-law finally able to purchase a house (offer accepted), and pray that his old house will sell quickly.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Dimitrius– boldly pray for court system to release me by May 15, pray for my family, 3 kids, their mothers (Melissa and Tenisha) and pray for Angela.
• Jeremy– my health, suffered from meth addiction 10 years, for my 3 kids to have a better future.
• Shawn– my release, brothers back on the block, protection and safety of our families.
• José– my 3 kids, Mom and Dad’s health, that I can go to work release center soon.
• Garrett– my family, my kids and their moms, a brighter future, all the men in here to get back safe to families.
• Luis– my wife, my little girl, my boys, my Mother, and for me.
• Javier– my wife, son, myself, everyone in here, all our court cases.
• Elizer– for the volunteers, my family, and thanks for so many seats filled in here tonight.
• Eric– family, wife and 5 kids, everyone in here to be released, and for the volunteers.
• Andy D– for Ryan and his family to get over the stomach bug (health and healing).
• Jeremiah– my children, and a better tomorrow.
• José #2– my family, brother, wife, and mother.
• Donny– my family
• Kevin– thank you God for what you are doing in my life
• Matt R– my father-in-law Gerald was hospitalized with pneumonia.  Thankful for his healing from throat cancer but now issues with eating/swallowing, and food gets in lungs causing pneumonia, they recommend feeding tube but he’s fighting it.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Effective planning and organizing of our prison ministry benefit concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
• Continued blessings upon prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• Our dedicated volunteers, serving inside prison or behind the scenes.
• Staff and Leadership inside the prison, and their families.
• Resolution of Prison staffing issues.
• The inmates and their families who are also “doing time”.
• All the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester County.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last week was hard. Really hard. My wife and I had to follow through with the difficult decision to put our dog Benny to sleep.  Having a pet pass away in your arms is brutal.  I know it’s not the same as losing a family member, but it’s close. We are still heartbroken.  On the drive home from the vet’s office, through the tears, I said we need to live what we preach.  I often remind the men in prison of the lesson Job learned.  He and his friends reasoned for 29 chapters trying to explain why Job lost everything.  Asking WHY is not the right question; God calls us to trust Him.  The right questions to ask in adversity are “Lord, what are you trying to show me?” and “Lord, what is the lesson you’re trying to teach me?”

In the depth of our sadness, I asked God those questions. What was the purpose of experiencing such heartache?  I sensed one response was that He was giving us a small taste of His heart for the lost, and where their choice would ultimately lead.  I’ve prayed many times for God to break my heart with what breaks His. This was an answer to that prayer.

My mind later recalled 2 Cor 1:3-4, which says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  Another ministry volunteer was facing a similar situation with a beloved pet whose body was failing, and I was able to share some information and insight that I found very helpful, and hopefully his family did too.

God is constantly on the move and looking out for us, we just need to open our spiritual eyes and ask Him to help us see what He’s doing.  And I thank you for joining us as we all seek (and hopefully see) what God is doing through the volunteers and chaplains in this prison ministry.  God’s support is essential, and your support is pretty darn important too.  May God our Father bless your time in prayer for prisoners, staff, and everyone connected with ministry at Chester County Prison.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Eugene– my granddaughter (Journei) is sick with the flu.
• Roland– doctor appointments, pray all is well and good test results.
• Kenneth– for myself, to keep seeking the Lord.  Also for Charlie and his Mom.
• Manuel– my daughter.
• Javier– my family.
• Andy D– for Rick and his wife putting their dog down later today.

• Kenny– excited to only have 9 weeks left to go!  Pray that family and friends continue to do well, my time continues to go smooth and fast, pray for Rick and wife and the hard day in front of them, and pray for everyone to get a second chance through Jesus.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– God bring us home to our families, and give us strength while we’re here.
• Andy L– my brother-in-law (Alan) had heart surgery, pray for his recovery, and he’s got really high anxiety, pray he would have peace.
• Phil T– my 11 year old granddaughter (Scarlet) had questions and I shared the Gospel with her, pray that she places her faith in Jesus and shares it with her sister. Also pray for Drake and others who may have been released recently, that they will stay in God’s Word and not return to a place like this.
• Jon– for Dan’s recovery, fight off the sickness, for all of our children and families, that we may be reunited with them soon.  For God to renew our minds, especially when we’re out of this place, give us wisdom.  For world peace, the hungry, and the homeless. Thanks God for your glory and your grace.
• Jim M– for everyone in here with spouses and family members that don’t know Jesus, may they have opportunity to share the Gospel and our family members get saved.  I pray for the salvation of everyone in this prison system.
• Deron– for experiencing God’s love- doesn’t get any better – and for our families and friends still on the street.  Pray for more love and support from friends and family.
• Tim– my sister (Gina) is in the hospital with stage 2 bladder cancer.
• Jon– for John and his fiancé with a baby on the way- pray for a good pregnancy.  Also pray for my girlfriend (Nicole) who is hurt.  God please take her pain away and let her be able to walk again.
• Jose G– for persecuted Christians around the world, especially those with lives being actively threatened, and in Syria where whole families have been slaughtered for their faith, God please protect our brothers and sisters in the faith.  Also lift up all the victims of the many wars raging across the globe.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Robert– my sister (Kaylie) is pregnant, pray all goes well.
• Elizer– for the volunteers that come out, for all of us in here, for family, for me going through the process, and for my friend Pablo to go home as planned tomorrow, and his family.
• Luis– thank you for Jesus in my heart, I pray to reconcile with Him and be forgiven [Note: I reminded him he is forgiven by the blood of Jesus], for my family, and especially my Father (Antonio).
• Javier– my wife, my son, my family, and for me.
• Alberto– for me, my wife, our 5 kids, everyone in here, and all my friends.
• Jeremiah– for the volunteers, my sister (Tameka) with cancer, and my 4 children to all be doing good.
• Kevin– my Mom (Lolita), and for my son, and that I can get full privileges restored.  Also pray I can get time served.
• Donny– my family, neighbors, church friends, and healing for my Aunt Janice with stage 4 lung cancer.
• José– my sister, my grandma, my Mom, my court date, and everyone here.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Heinrich at a Chaplain’s conference this week.
• God’s protection over the recently expanded volunteer schedule – guard the hearts and minds of all new and returning volunteers against attacks from the evil one as the prison ministry grows.
• A spirit of cooperation and helpfulness in organizing a prison ministry benefit concert in May.
• Our dedicated prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
• All volunteers – past, present, and future – serving inside prison or behind the scenes.
• Prison leadership and other staff, and their families.
• Prison staffing issues to be resolved.
• All the female and male inmates and their families who are also “doing time”.
• Aftercare ministries and other support organizations across Chester County that minister to those recently released from prison.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’ve been learning quite the lesson on perspective the past few weeks.  Our dog Benny has a condition similar to ALS in humans where his mind is sharp but his body is failing, with noticeable decline almost daily at this point.  He’s had to use a “wheelchair” device the last 5 months to even walk and relieve himself since his back legs no longer function.  We’ve dreaded the decision many pet owners must face – when is it time to end his suffering?

Our natural perspective is to think in human terms – if our child was in a wheelchair or suffering with a debilitating disease, we would continue however we could for as long as we could.  All the while sharing our emotions, hopes, dreams, and fears.  But as much as we love our pets – they are part of the family after all – they are still animals, and live only in the present.  We must decide what’s best for them, not us.  It’s a really tough decision no matter how you slice it, and veterinarians say most of us wait too long.

My point is this – if we care about our pets so much that we wrestle so mightily with decisions around their health and their death, and they are merely animals, shouldn’t we be at least that concerned with those around us who don’t know Jesus and are headed for a most unpleasant eternity?

I don’t know if I’ll see my dogs in heaven – I’ve heard arguments on both sides – but the Bible is clear for us humans.  Wide is the path leading to destruction (Hell) for many who will choose that way.  But narrow is the path to life, and few will find it (Mt 7:13-14, my paraphrase).  Do we care about the possible demise of family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors at least as much as we care about our animals?  God sure wants us to.

I’m thankful for the 8 years we got to spend with Benny, and just as thankful for each of you sharing your lives by praying these requests and for these men week after week.  Thank you for caring.  May God bless you and help all of us be mindful of those around us, you know, the ones we’re supposed to love?

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):

• Kenneth– my consistency, and for my girlfriend Taja who just moved to VA, that she can make a good new start.
• Cotton– for change.
• Javier– my family.
• Manuel– it’s my father’s birthday today.
• Andy D– I have some non-believing neighbors coming to a church event, pray that they would seek and find the Lord.
• Roland D– for all the men back on the block that didn’t come out to services.

• Kenny– my coworker (Ray) is belligerent and thinks he knows it all when he’s only been doing the job a few weeks.  He won’t listen when I tell him how we do things and wants to fight me over it. He’s also a muslim, so I pray he’d have peace and know Jesus.  Pray for Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and Uncle all doing well at home.  My friend Sophie is all better from her pneumonia and RSV and even went to Paris for her Sister’s wedding.  Pray for peace and my time to go smooth and fast.

Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):

• John– that God would bring us home to our families.
• Drake– I’m up for release in a week, pray I can find a housing situation (required for release), praying for a future group of friends to live with, pray for friends and family support.  Also pray I can get healthy again, get back to going to the gym, and thankful for the volunteers each week.
• Jon– family, my kids to be watched over, that I can follow God’s will when I get out.  Also for my court date, to get home as soon as possible, and for the Little old ladies in Lancaster that used to pray for us.
• Darren– my mother, she’s having a rough time in my absence with spiritual battles.
• Ross– for my new journey, everyone in here, for those who went home today, for those going to court today, for everyone’s health, and for the economy and stuff going on out there in the world.
• Rick C– continued healing for our brother Jim, to be fully recovered and return to us soon.
• Tim– for my family to get through trying times, and my getting through the process.
• Dan T– for God to lead me with the right opportunity to witness to by brother-in-law, and that he would lower his defenses, accept Crist, and find forgiveness and unburdening of his heavy guilt.
• Phil T– for Christians in Syrai being persecuted and slaughtered.  And for Christians around the world being persecuted, threatened, and killed.

Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)

• Elizer– for everyone here to find God, my family, for me in this process.
• Jeremiah– thanks for the volunteers who are doing a great job, and for guidance and encouragement.
• Javier– my family, my wife, my sons, my court date, and everyone’s court cases.
• Pat– everyone in here, and for patience.
• Mark– all our court cases get resolved, and get back on a better path than when I came in here.
• Andy D– thanks for the opportunity to share the Gospel with 2 friends, pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their hearts.
• José– my brother (Alex) in prison, my court date, my family.
• Donny– family, grandkids, all the guys in here.
• Rick C– for my wife and kids, as we must put our dog down on Thursday.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• God’s guidance and a spirit of cooperation to plan out and present our first-ever benefit concert in May to help support this ministry.
• Thankfulness for God’s rich blessing on the benefit dinner last Fall and the benefit breakfast last month.
• For our dedicated prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – may God bless them and their families.
• For the volunteers – past, present, and future – serving inside the prison or behind the scenes.
• For prison staff, especially those in leadership, and all their families.
• For resolution of staffing issues (shortage, retention, etc) impacting operations inside the prison, causing overworked and stressed staff, and fewer opportunities for more volunteers to serve.
• For all the incarcerated women and men, and their families who are also “doing time”.
• For Aftercare ministries and other support organizations across Chester County that minister to those recently released from prison.

If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org