Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night was our first attempt in returning to different volunteer teams for the 7:00PM and 8:30PM services, and it was mostly successful with a few improvement opportunities (as expected).  Each service also showcased a new element – In the first service, Jose debuted his musical talents leading us through worship time with his guitar, and the second service got to hear from our newest volunteer Bill as he delivered his first-ever message.  The men in both services were blessed as a result.

I appreciate Erwin stepping in to cover 1st service prayer time since it was my week to give the message.  In 2nd service, we kicked off prayer time praising God through Psalm 106:

Praise the Lord!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

    His faithful love endures forever.

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?

    Who can ever praise him enough?

Happy are those who deal justly with others

    and always do what is right.

Remember me, too, Lord, when you show favor to your people;

    come to me with your salvation.

Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones.

    Let me rejoice in the joy of your people;

    let me praise you with those who are your heritage. (Psalm 106:1-5)

My message in 1st service centered on how one gets to heaven.  Most people hold an unsure hope of heaven by being a good person.  Jesus Himself told us in John14, and several other Bible passages we reviewed all concur it is by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.  But what exactly does it mean to ‘believe in the Lord Jesus’? It means we believe in His Lordship (He is God), believe who He claimed to be, believe all He said is true, believe in His promises, and show we believe by doing what He said to do – namely, to love one another and to spread the Good News by making disciples wherever we go.

Bill used numerous Bible passages in the 2nd service to give us the Good News.  We studied John 3 where Jesus explained to Nicodemus how we must be born again to see the Kingdom of God, eventually landing on the ultimate verse on salvation – John 3:16. Bill supplied visual aids as he taught about taking on Jesus’ easy yoke and finding rest for our souls in Mathew 11. Then he drove it home by walking through Psalm 23 verse-by-verse, illustrating it’s richness through the underlying Greek.

It’s such a blessing to serve alongside these men each week.  We all learn from one another, and the inmates usually remark to us each week how they are blessed by what we do out there.  We are thankful that God gives us these opportunities and supplies all our needs.  And we remain thankful for each of you and how you bless the inmates at Chester County Prison each and every week through your prayers.  The men covet your prayers and are so appreciative that brothers and sisters they don’t even know care enough to pray for them.  God bless you for your servant hearts!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Nathan– for my court date, and other court dates coming up, and pray for those going through trials.
• Isaac– my son (Isaac) has his 16th birthday this week and I’m not there for him.
• Phil T– for Kim Rose, whose 8 year old daughter just died.  And for the new split-team approach to Monday night services that all goes well, and for the newer volunteers in the 2nd service.
• Jose G– for the salvation of Benjamin and Johannes, children of Kim and Annette.
• Phil– my daughter Brooke and her kids, that they would believe and walk with the Lord.
• Andy L– for my neighbor who is a single Mom, her husband abandoned her and the kids, praying for wisdom and that she can make wise decisions.
• Rick– for inmate John’s eyes, that he can get proper care before losing his sight.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– for my wife Kay in Georgia, my daughters Brianna (will turn 11 on Friday) and Brielle, all my children and my family at large, and the whole wide world.  Thankful for volunteers who freely give up their evenings to come serve us in prison.  Also for Jeremiah, give him strength as he’s been in here 38 months and they keep pushing back his court dates over and over for silly reasons.
• Martin– my family, and praise God I’m in recovery house next month, praying for a successful recovery plan.  It’s my father’s birthday today, also pray for my grandmother turning 98 next week, and for my girlfriend and her kids.
• Harry– for my fiancé Sonya, and for her to make right decisions, and for all of us in here to make right decisions, and that we can all rely on God as a crutch (we talked before the service how a crutch actually helps when something broken).
• Mark– praise, honor, and glory to God!  Pray for my family, I really miss them, and for upcoming court date.  Thankful for my public defender Mariah who seems like she really wants to help.  Pray for my situation, incarceration is not going to help me.  Pray I can get a new job in the kitchen to keep me occupied, and that I can see my counselor soon.  Also want to lift up all the men and women in prison and pray we can all leave the prison mindset alone and just be real with one another.
• Rick C– for my friend Scott’s son (Justin) hospitalized with a serious brain virus. Also for inmate Logan and his 21-year-old daughter (Raina) fighting stage 4 cancer.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• For quick healing/recovery of our brother Dan who normally leads the 1st service.  He stayed home as not to spread his ‘killer’ cold among the prison population.

• We ask God’s continued blessing and provision upon Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich serving the inmates, staff, and families connected to Chester County Prison.  May they truly feel the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God as they minister and encourage people throughout each day.  And may their personal lives also be blessed.

• For those in prison suffering from illness or infirmities, may they receive a healing touch from our great God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

• We continue to lift up before the throne of grace our friend and co-laborer for the sake of the Gospel Pastor Jack Crans.  May almighty God restore his strength and bring healing to his body.

• Lord please grant your peace within the prisons, between inmates and between corrections staff and inmates.  May every interaction be filled with mutual respect and empathy for what the other may be going through.

• God bless the aftercare ministries that serve released inmates as they seek to change primary identity from ex-convict to child of the King.  May each client build upon the firm foundation of Christ and experience life change through the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit.  And Lord please bless all those serving in this ministry area, that they would have all they need to be effective.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“History repeats itself” – before the prison shut down to volunteers due to covid, we had 2 teams – one for the 7pm service and one for the 8:30 service – often passing each other in the hallway.  After 3-1/2 years of shutdown, our volunteer pool shrunk to 6, requiring all to stay for both services.  If it was your week, preaching back-to-back services was the order of the day.  Then God blessed the ministry with new volunteers, forcing a return to 2 teams as not to overwhelm staff processing 10+ volunteers entering at one time.  Please pray for this time of adjustment as we reconfigure schedules to appease our hosts while not impacting the inmates we serve.

This week, our encouragement of the men began with Psalm 103 to kick off prayer time:

Praise the Lord, I tell myself;

    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, I tell myself,

    and never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins

    and heals all my diseases.

He ransoms me from death

    and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things.

    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The Lord gives righteousness

    and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

He revealed his character to Moses

    and his deeds to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious;

    he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.

He will not constantly accuse us,

    nor remain angry forever.

He has not punished us for all our sins;

    nor does he deal with us as we deserve.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us

    as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:1-12)

Phil’s message in the first service was all about wise choices, particularly where we place our faith. God gave us our faith along with the responsibility to grow it by spending time with God – in His Word, in worship, and in service – doing the things He wants us to do.  The alternative is sin which separates us from God and is entirely our choice.  God will never leave us or forsake us, and if He’s distant, we’re the ones who moved away from Him.  The best choice we can make is to invest everything we have and everything we are in His kingdom and for His glory.

Troy encouraged second service participants to hide God’s word in our hearts (Ps 119:11) through selecting our favorite verses and memorizing them – a necessary step to renew our minds and be transformed as Paul urged in Romans 12:2.  He shared a few favorite passages he’s memorized that get him through tough times, then circled around to Romans 10:9-10 discussing what is necessary to be saved. As we see in Luke 23, one thief crucified alongside Jesus didn’t go to church or accomplish a life of good works, he simply believed with a repentant heart in Jesus as the King of Kings and was assured his place in paradise.

Every week we encourage the men to make a decision for Christ if they haven’t already.  Jesus commands us to love one another, and showing the way to the King is the best way we can do that.  Another way is through persistent prayer for them – that’s where all of you come in.  It’s a privilege to serve alongside each of you on our God-given quest to grow His kingdom.  Thanks for all you do in support of this ministry and to glorify our great God.  May He pour out an extra blessing on you and your family this week.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Nathan– for lenient judgement and short sentences for those of us facing that, and for forgiveness.
• Dan– all of our children and our parents.
• John– world peace, God’s comfort for everyone affected by tragedies in the world – sickness, wildfires, destruction, war. For my family, kids, grandkids, leniency and God’s mercy in court, and a second chance.
• Junior– for my friend Antonio in court tomorrow, and all the upcoming court appearances.
• Josh– that the probation officers could get a better perspective of prison life.
• Ulysses– salvation.
• John– thanks for the volunteers and everyone who prays for us, like the little old ladies in Lancaster.
• River– freedom from selfishness, and everyone’s family.
• Kaylon– for a closer relationship with my Mom, and with my family.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– thanks for faithful volunteers, for my wife Kay in Georgia, my children Briana and Brielle, all our kids, my family at large, and the whole wide world.  Also thankful for sister Dolores Thomas who continues to support me financially even though I’m working and have some money now.
• Mark– very thankful and praise God for these services coming back after covid, for my family and friends, the little old ladies in Lancaster that pray for us, and the half-hearted brothers in here who need Jesus.
• Phil T– for Jeremiah who’s been in here much longer than necessary.  Also for Martin and his recovery.
• Logan– my step-daughter (Raina, 21) has stage 4 cancer and was ignoring it, but now decided to fight it.
• Harry– Lord give us wisdom and help us to put it to use in our lives.
• Andy D– my sister Donna has cancer and marriage difficulties.  She seems receptive to the Gospel, please give me the right words and the right timing on our phone call tomorrow.
• Dan T– prayers for a project I’m on with my brother-in-law who has a PhD but is spiritually lost.  Lord give me the right opening and the right words to share Christ with him.
• Rick C– for my friend’s son (Justin) in the hospital with Lyme disease that spread to his brain, he’s in serious condition with an antiviral pic line 24/7.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We remain so very thankful for God’s blessing of two wonderful chaplains in Chester County Prison – Heinrich and Rhonda – and how their faithful service impacts inmates, staff, and families connected to the prison.  May God continue to bless them to be a blessing to others.

• May those suffering sickness and infirmities within the prison receive a healing touch from the Great Physician, restoring them to full health and wellness.

• For our friend Pastor Jack Crans to receive God’s strength and healing from his cancer.

• For peace among inmates and among the staff within the prison.  May each encounter between officers and inmates be filled with compassion and respect (on both sides).  We also lift up the staff that must work long hours and cover many shifts due to staff shortages.  May God bless their home lives and all who support them.

• For aftercare ministries across our county to have all they need in resources and support to effectively mentor and minister to women and men recently released from prison.  May there be significant growth as they walk the journey of faith together, building upon the foundation of Christ alone.  May each volunteer and staff member find their service fulfilling, and may each client walk closer with the Lord each day.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Always be ready” – for many Christians, that phrase reminds us of 1 Peter 3:15 where we’re to always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope within us.  For the prison volunteer team last night, it meant something a little different.  As we got to the prison chapel, the inmates were already there and seated, upending our normal routine of putting out hymnals and bibles and welcoming each man with a handshake and a smile.  After a shaky start to the service, by the grace of God we didn’t let it diminish our reason for being there – to share the love of Christ with the men as we pray, sing, testify, and learn alongside them in a service of worship.

Prayer time began by encouraging everyone with some powerful promises to believers in Psalm 91:

If you make the Lord your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

For he orders his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras;

    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

    I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer;

    I will be with them in trouble.

    I will rescue them and honor them.

I will satisfy them with a long life

    and give them my salvation.” (Psalm 91:9-16)

Erwin picked up on that theme with his message in 1st service centered on Jesus’ story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.  Death is not the end, the Greek word used actually means separation (of body, soul, and spirit).  How we live this life by the choices we make will determine our ultimate  destination – with God in Heaven and eternal bliss, or without God in Hell and eternal torment.  Erwin emphasized that these are real places, and although Jesus told many parables, this was a real story to illustrate that it is of ultimate importance to choose Jesus while still in the land of the living.

Marty, one of our new team members, delivered his first-ever message in 2nd service.  He quizzed the men on how do we get to heaven?  The most common belief across all religions is by doing good things.  If so, what kind of good things must we do? Many agree sticking to the 10 commandments is essential, but we even mess that up. Interestingly, most people believe they are going to heaven, but that’s not what Jesus said. He walked us through Matthew 5 where Jesus amplified several commandments to prove we could never do good – no not one!  What’s the solution? Jesus said repent and believe on Him – He gave himself for us as a gift, and that gift must be received by faith.

We believe God honors your gifts of faithful prayer for those in prison and their prayer requests, which is a great comfort to all the men we encounter in prison.  Thank you for such great support each and every week.  Please know that what you do makes a real difference in many lives!  Prayer is essential in the life of a Christian, and is powerful for those enduring trials of many kinds.  May God bless you in a special way this week.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Female Inmate Prayer Request from Chaplain Rhonda:

V. J. –  going to court on Wed., she has 5 children at home; she’s dealt with some major losses in the past year, including death of a grandmother as well as the father of her children; dejected and despondent, she is asking for prayer; she is Muslim

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

• John– all of our families, to experience mercy and forgiveness in upcoming court dates, for my kids, for all those who pray for us, safe travels for volunteers, and for healing of my eyes.
• Joel– my family- Mom, brothers, sisters, nephews across NY and Philly, for everyone here, thanks for volunteers, and thanks to God who is good, I pray he’s there for us, for peace, and for good leaders.
• Joe– wisdom for us to fully understand what Jesus did for us, and God’s unconditional love.  Pray for my twin daughters in the hospital with covid/RSV/RINO viruses, they are both 1yr 4mos old, may they be healed and out of the hospital quickly.
• Angel– for the volunteers coming out, for world peace, my Mom, and for the person who stole my Jeep from the driveway- help with forgiveness.
• Dan– pray for Moose back on the block, and strength for my daughter Riley being in court tomorrow for the case of her boyfriend’s murder where she must re-live the pain and face the attackers.
• Andy L– my neighbor who is a 38 year old single mom of 2 kids went to church yesterday for the first time, pray she will continue to make steps towards accepting Christ.
• Matt R– my best friend Shaun- his wife Megan has terminal cancer and given 12 weeks to live, they have 3 children under 7.  Her cancer was discovered last year during birth of 3rd child.
• Andy D– my friend Miller has stage 4 cancer.
• Joe– for the men on L block  who couldn’t come to services tonight but wanted to.
• Kaylon– God give us clarity of your will for our lives, especially once we are out of here.
• Al– to create a new self and overcome the old self.
• Deshawn– for progression of the human race and to thrive.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– my wife Kay in Georgia, my children, my family at large, and healing for Harry back on the block who is not well.  God protect us from illness spreading in this place.  And may we all be not just hearers but doers of the Word.
• Martin– my family, my successful recovery, and for the volunteers that come each week.
• Logan– praise God for giving me a second chance, give us all a second chance.
• Phil T– my daughter got engaged Saturday night to a good guy who’s a Christian – God please bless that marriage and may they be blessed with children.
• Craig– for Jeremiah’s upcoming court date, that God would allow him to go home- he’s served so much time.  Pray that we might unite when we get out on the streets.
• Matt R– my friend Kathy having tough time with her marriage to unfaithful husband – struggling through divorce with 2 young kids in the middle and the husband struggling with addiction.  We pray healing and wholeness for all involved.
• Andy D– my sister Donna dealing with cancer and her husband is in the hospital with sepsis in kidneys, plus they have marital issues.  Pray the God would use these circumstances for her to be saved.
• Jose G– my friend Tim (60) became a believer, but his heart is broken for his 5 children who are all still lost.  Pray they may all find their way to saving knowledge of Christ.
• Rick– for our brother Matt who is carrying the shared weight of his friend’s heavy trials – give him strength to endure and when he’s wiped out, be his strength.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• The Board of Directors is humbled and very thankful to our great God for his provision of a very generous offering by a local congregation.  And we are continually thankful for all the individuals, organizations, and churches whose ongoing faithful support is vital to this ministry.  It’s simply amazing to see how God works through his people.

• We lift up chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda serving so faithfully among all the inmates, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison.  Father, empower them through your Spirit to do all you call them to each day, and may everyone they touch feel your love and presence through them.  May the staff continue to hold them in high regard, and may their personal lives be filled with your love.

• We ask for God’s healing upon those dealing will illness and infirmity within the prison, and that illnesses would be contained and not spread.  Please restore strength to those who are weak, and we lift up a special prayer for your servant Jack Crans to be healed from his cancer.

• We pray for peace within the prison population, and among the officers and inmates. Please bless the home life of staff members that they may be refreshed after working long hours and many shifts due to staffing shortages.  We pray for new hires to relieve the stress on staff.

• We lift up aftercare ministries across our county to have all they need in resources and support to effectively mentor and minister to women and men recently released from prison.  May there be significant growth as they walk the journey of faith together, building upon the foundation of Christ alone.  May each volunteer and staff member find their service fulfilling, and may each client walk closer with the Lord each day.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Some things in life are worth waiting for” seemed to be the theme last night, as the volunteer crew waited outside the prison for quite a while before someone was sent to let us in.  We apologized to the men for the service starting late, although those compressed services can sometimes be the most meaningful.  The team gets so concerned with timing, but always leaves plenty of time for the message – sort of a Martha and Mary thing.

Once we did get into the prison and get settled in the chapel, the prayer time was just as full of requests as other weeks, and we came humbly before our great God with the 2nd half of Psalm 86 to guide our hearts and minds:

Teach me your ways, O Lord,

    that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

    that I may honor you.

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

    I will give glory to your name forever,

for your love for me is very great.

    You have rescued me from the depths of death!

O God, insolent people rise up against me;

    violent people are trying to kill me.

    And you mean nothing to them.

But you, O Lord,

    are a merciful and gracious God,

slow to get angry,

    full of unfailing love and truth.

Look down and have mercy on me.

    Give strength to your servant;

    yes, save me, for I am your servant.

Send me a sign of your favor.

    Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

    for you, O Lord, help and comfort me. (Psalm 86:11-17)

Andy D delivered a double-header (preached in both services) centered on John 14:6 where in response to Thomas’ question, Jesus proclaims himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Andy set up the context of the last supper and how Jesus’ disciples were slowly coming to understand how Christ was not the political/military leader they were hoping would overthrow the Roman government at that time.  As we walked through John 14:1-6, Andy expanded on what it meant for Jesus to be the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. 

Jesus is the only Way to the Father, and our ‘eternal GPS’ to guide believers to heaven because we get lost and can’t get there on our own. Jesus is the Truth which is absolute and shows us the way things really are – we all fall short of God’s glory, but He has made a way for us if we accept the truth of who He is, why He came, and what He’s done for us because of love.  Jesus is the Life we get to enjoy eternally with God, given to us as a gift because of the high price He paid for us on the cross, becoming sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

May we all find encouragement, peace, and hope in how Jesus lays claim to each of us in His unending love.  I know the men are encouraged each week as they are told that many people pray for them and their prayer requests.  Thank you for your expression of love to ‘the least of these’ through your faithful prayers for them, their families, and the list of things below that they care about.  Be blessed in Jesus’ name!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Jih– my cellmate Kevin prays for how he can be of service to the Lord, and I pray that all the volunteers would be blessed.
• Dan– my Dad (67) is dealing with inoperable esophageal cancer, the latest cancer attacking him (he’s been through several types of cancer already).  This might be it for him, pray for healing and for peace.  Also my cellmate’s dad is suffering from dementia so I want to lift up his Dad and Mom who is taking care of him.
• Joe– for all the young men like myself in prison- we have lost all wisdom and really need wisdom- pray we would have wisdom to guide us.
• Alonzo– help us stay humble, and to keep our minds on things above.
• Joseph– pray for me and all of us in here, and especially for those who don’t know Jesus.  Also want to pray for the CO’s (Corrections Officers) that God would touch their hearts.
• Angel– for world peace, my Mom, my grandparents, thanks for the volunteers, and lift up everyone in this prison.
• John– for all those who pray for us, for the volunteers, and so thankful for weekly services where we can come to gather and worship our great God.  Also for my family to be uplifted, and for my eyes – that God would make a way for me to get the eye surgery I need.
• Nathan– for my upcoming court date, and all of the upcoming court dates, and forgiveness.
• Al– keep my family safe, and pray the world will still be there when I get out in a year and a half.
• Joe– that I’m not drafted into the next wars that will rage in this country like World War 3. And for my family as my niece died 6 months ago.
• Brent– for my friends, my family, the volunteers, and my court date tomorrow.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Martin– my family, for God to keep His hands on my situation, and my successful recovery.
• Logan– my family, and I have a new plea agreement coming and hope it’s acceptable.  Also my friend Tito back on the block wants prayers.
• Jeremiah– it’s my son’s birthday today.
• Sam– for all the sick and suffering.  And a special prayer for Pastor Jack Crans.
• Andy D– for my sister Donna who is battling cancer and struggling with her chemotherapy.  Also for some family issues going on.
• Tyreek– for all of us in jail, and for God’s guidance.
• Andy L– my neighborhood has many troubles.  A lady that needs a kidney is getting stronger so she may actually qualify to get a kidney, there’s a single Mom who’s deadbeat husband keeps making life difficult for her and the kids, and there are other broken families.  We ask God to use Andy and Dot as a beacon of His shining light in that community.
• Dan T– doctor appointment tomorrow for something significant, grant me peace to follow God’s plan for whatever way it goes.
• Rick– for our brother Craig who is wiped out after working so much and didn’t make it to services tonight, that he would have respite for his body and soul.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We want to continually lift up our front-line servants ministering daily to inmates, staff, and families at Chester County Prison – our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.  Lord grant them all they need to do exactly what it is that you would have them do each day in your mercy and love.  Bless them to be a blessing to so many others.

• Lord we ask for your healing mercy to be poured out upon all those dealing will illness and infirmity within the prison.  Give your strength to those with addictions to overcome, and in your mercy and love grant peace to every soul that seeks after you.  We also want to lift up Pastor Jack Crans for healing from his cancer.

• Father we ask for compassion and peace among the prison population and within each interaction between staff and inmates. 

• We continue to lift up the aftercare ministries in our county – may God bless them with the people and resources needed to minister effectively in His name to recently released men and women.  May each client walk in your life-giving light and draw closer to you with each day that goes by.  May the staff and volunteers enjoy your refreshment in their soul knowing they are doing what you called them to do.  We ask these ministries to continue strongly as long as you would have them operate.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What a unique time in the prison last night – our most-seasoned volunteer preached at the first service, and a new volunteer delivered his first-ever message at the 2nd service.  In both cases, the men were fed the Word of God, as they continually offer prayers of thanksgiving for volunteers faithfully showing up in Christ’s love each week to bring them the Word.

Our prayer time began with David’s prayer in Psalm 86:

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

    answer me, for I need your help.

Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

    Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

    You are my God.

Be merciful, O Lord,

    for I am calling on you constantly.

Give me happiness, O Lord,

    for my life depends on you.

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,

    so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.

Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;

    hear my urgent cry.

I will call to you whenever trouble strikes,

    and you will answer me. (Psalm 86:1-7)

Andy L delivered a message on hope, emphasizing to men in the 1st service how we can’t live without it, and how critical is our choice where we place our hope.  We must continue every day to open doors of our lives and our very being to the Lord. We must take hold of the opportunity to live out Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Matt did an excellent job in 2nd service illustrating the trap of sin we so often fall into via the devil’s schemes he’s been perfecting since the beginning. The men were captivated as Matt shared his personal story of struggles with alcohol and drugs, but more importantly how he overcame these addictions through the power of Christ and reliance on God’s Word.  He concluded with how any of us can overcome the deepest sin by bringing it into the light, choosing to repent, and trusting God’s power to overcome.

It’s our overall prayer every week that all of these men can be overcomers, especially when released from prison and faced with choices that can easily lead right back to incarceration.  Thank you all for continually lifting up these men, their hope, and their future.  The body of Christ functions best when we all do the parts He calls us to, and we appreciate you fulfilling such a critical support role each week.  God bless you for your faithfulness!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Al– I’m on meds that make my heart race and can’t sleep, waiting for Doctor appointment to get it straightened out.  Also pray for my wife to be safe and OK by herself for the next year and a half.
• Dan– for my daughter Riley on the streets, her boyfriend was murdered last year, and she needs guidance and protection to take the right steps.  Also thanks for the volunteers bringing us the Word.
• Demonta– pray for mercy on our court cases.
• John– for family and kids, for the letter I wrote to the judge asking for the needed surgery on my eye so I don’t lose my vision.  And pray for all those who pray for us.
• Brandt– my court date is coming up this week, may the light of Christ shine on us and in our cases, especially since I have a crooked lawyer.
• Steven– all glory, honor, and praise to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, for the volunteer disciples, for each man in here to be changed, and for my bother from the block who came tonight with questions about what he’s reading in the Bible and doesn’t understand.
• Nathan– forgiveness.
• Phil T– for my son Kyle jumping much too quickly and deeply into relationships, that he would wait upon the Lord at least for big decisions.  And thanks for the prayers for my back pain which has improved greatly.
• Junior– my court date, family, wars across the world.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– praise the Lord for our volunteers, prayers for my wife Kay and my children Brianna and Brielle, and my wife’s prayer that soon we can be a family again. Also that we can all be not just hearers but doers of the Word.
• Martin– my family, thanks for volunteers, my successful recovery, good outcome of my case.
• Shaun– fellow inmates, that God would wrap us up in His strong arms and give us what we need physically, mentally, and emotionally. Prayers for my daughter and 2 very active grandsons.
• Tyreek– guidance and wisdom.
• Harry– my mom has Alzheimer’s, and for my addictions.
• Clarence– pray for volunteers, the men back on the block, family, court date on the 15th to actually happen and not get pushed back again and again, for light to be shed on my situation, and God’s blessing on me one day at a time.
• Alan– thankful for my Mom to see another birthday, for my little brother Ashmir’s case to go well, and I’m going home Friday- prayers to stay in the Word and not come back here.
• Ed– Safety for whoever is coming to pick me up tomorrow (in the snow storm) – it’s a 3 hour drive.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• God’s continued blessings of strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom upon our wonderful servant chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich, as God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison.  Bless them to be a blessing to many residents, staff, and family members connected to the prison.

• God’s healing and recovery for inmates, staff, and family members suffering with illness or disease.  We specifically lift up Pastor Jack Crans for healing from his cancer.

• The peace of Christ within the prison population and among the staff, and all inmate/staff interactions each day. 

• For aftercare ministries across Chester County, and increased adoption of these programs by area churches, as they help ex-offenders take steps toward healthy reintegration to society as God-fearing Christians.  May these ministries be effective, with much growth among both clients and volunteers, and may God multiply their resources to get the job done.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As our new volunteers take their initial turns within the preaching rotation inside the prison, it’s a real treat to see their particular style and how God will use them to reach the men in Chester County Prison.  We continue to thank God for bringing these volunteers on board to fortify the body of Christ within the prison.

Both services kicked off prayer time with a few verses from Psalm 71:

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.

    You have done such wonderful things.

    Who can compare with you, O God?

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,

    but you will restore me to life again

    and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

You will restore me to even greater honor

    and comfort me once again.

Then I will praise you with music on the harp,

    because you are faithful to your promises, O God.

I will sing for you with a lyre,

    O Holy One of Israel.

I will shout for joy and sing your praises,

    for you have redeemed me. (Psalm 71:19-23)

Dan posed two foundational questions to the men in the first service – Is there a God?  And if so, is He the God of the Bible?  Upon studying the evidence, He discounted several popular theories on creation to ultimately support the only logical conclusion of an all-powerful creator God.  Then he walked through the prophet Daniel’s very specific foretelling of when the coming Messiah would be revealed and killed, hundreds of years before it came to be, exactly as prophesied.  This left no doubt to the validity of the Bible and our God who inspired it’s writing.

In the 2nd service, Jose used his first-ever message in Chester County Prison to set a scriptural foundation of how we have no righteousness on our own.  We must fully rely on Christ who took our sin upon Himself and imputes His righteousness to us.  This distinction is critical to understanding how God the Father sees us – on our own and subject to judgement, or clothed in the righteousness of Christ and thereby saved.  We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – but only for those who repent and believe.

The inmates express their thankfulness every week for volunteers who faithfully show up with the love of Christ to bring the Word to their thirsting ears.  And we want to express our ongoing thankfulness for each of you and how you faithfully pray with the love of Christ for people you will likely never meet (at least on this Earth).  May God bless you and your families richly this week.

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Steven– all praise, honor, and glory to my savior Jesus Christ, for all of us here, for the volunteer disciples, for my family to be doing well, and for our brother Angel to be doing well outside.
• Albert– for loved ones, world peace, and the innocent victims caught in the middle of wars.
• John– world peace, my eyes that need surgery, everyone’s families, for those that don’t know Christ, for life in general, thanks Lord for waking me up today, and thanks for all those who pray for us.
• Daniel– for all the prisoners, and for the staff in this prison.
• Nathan– for upcoming court dates, and the stress that goes with that.  Also for the victim in my case, that they can forgive me.
• Damien– for the sick and the homeless.
• Joel– forgiveness, God’s grace, for the people we’ve hurt, my Mom, surgery for finger, places where there’s war, for me – I feel like I’m getting away from God.  Thanks for volunteers who bring the Word each week.  For the people in California with the extreme weather and mudslides.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– prayers for my wife Kay and my children, my family at large, for the whole wide world, for my strength in the Lord, and that we can be not just hearers but doers of the Word.
• Martin– my family, my successful recovery, good outcome of my case.
• Alan– my little brother Ashmir is going to court – pray that it all goes well.
• Charles– all the brothers here, pray that everything goes well at my trial tomorrow.  I’m Muslim, but there are Christians in my family and I have Christian friends, and I pray for all of them and for all you guys.  Pray for all the upcoming cases and that we can make it through our trials and tribulations.
• Rob– my Dad (Merl) is on hospice – he’s a Vietnam vet who dealt with agent orange.
• Sam– all the sick and suffering, which is us – we are all suffering or sick in some way.
• Andy L–  pray that my wife and I can continue to be a light in our community, sharing the love of Christ with people hurting from a variety of difficulties.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• The prison team lifts up two of our brothers suffering with back pain, yet still coming into the prison to serve the inmates – pray that Phil and Andy D would experience God’s healing and relief from pain.

• Blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison – Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich, that they would continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected to the prison.

• For speedy recovery and healing for inmates, staff, and their family members suffering with illness or disease.  In particular we lift up Pastor Jack Crans for healing from his cancer.

• For peace among the prison population and among the staff, and in the many inmate/staff interactions each day.  We also lift up the understaffed situation and all those who must work long and/or extra shifts.

• For churches in Chester County (and beyond!) to be drawn to partner with aftercare programs designed to help disciple ex-offenders, building upon progress made in prison, and help them take positive steps toward reintegration to 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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s an exciting time in prison ministry at Chester County Prison.  Our 6 new volunteers are being incorporated into the preaching rotation – they are raring to go, and we welcome the opportunity to hear what God will say through these willing servants in their own preaching styles.  We can all learn from one another, as we see God working through each other.

Last night we began our modified schedule.  I shared the message in the first service and Troy gave his first-ever message in the 2nd service.

Phil led the prayer times with a few verses from Matthew, emphasizing that when we look at a lone scripture verse, we should really read the verses before and after to understand the context and find the proper meaning.  Otherwise we might be tempted to bend and twist a single verse of scripture to support something we want to say, which could be completely beyond its actual meaning.  We must “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

The 1st service message quoted many scripture verses to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ.  We broke down several elements of a relationship (communication, spending time together, trust, faithfulness, growth, a future together, etc.) and looked at each through the lens of scripture.  God’s word revealed how these elements of a personal relationship are possible between us and God.

The men in 2nd service learned how important forgiveness is to God through Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18.  The king forgives a servant of great debt he couldn’t possibly repay (what God does for each if us), then that servant refuses to forgive others of much smaller debts owed him.  God wants us to follow His example of lavish grace and forgiveness, and won’t tolerate our unforgiveness, also emphasized in Matthew 6 right after the Lord’s prayer – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Mt 6:14-15)

It was quite an evening of teaching, sharing, and testimony.  The Holy Spirit of God was quite active in the prison chapel last night!  And I pray He remains active within each of your lives as faithful prayers are lifted heavenward each week for the inmates, staff, chaplains, and all the families connected with Chester County Prison.  Thanks as always for your part in this ministry.  God bless your week!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Steven– all honor, praise, and glory to our gracious Lord, for everyone in this room, for our brother Angel who got released – pray he makes good on what he promised to do with his life, for my family, and for all those who don’t pray for themselves.
• Al– thanks for all the volunteers coming out, thanks for the service tonight, I’m real concerned about my family since I’m not there to take care of them.
• John– my family, my mom, my kids, my grandkids, for peace in Israel and across Africa, thank God for his love, grace, and mercy, and for all those who didn’t make it out to the service tonight.
• Nathan– had a tooth yanked today, still in a fair amount of pain, my family, and I’m really down after being denied transfer to work release – I will keep trying.
• Ulysses-pray for my court date tomorrow.
• Matt– my coworker’s wife (Megan) was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, discovered during the recent birth of their 3rd child, prayers for that family as she also battles pneumonia in the hospital.
• Shaun– I pray for my release – I’m guilty, but asking God to release me from my sin and all the sins I ever had.
• Phil T– my granddaughters Julia and Scarlett started a new school today, special prayers for Julia who has some learning difficulties.
• Answered Prayer– Angel was released after his court date last Wed.
• Answered Prayer– Dave has not missed a weekly service and was not there, we believe he may have been released last Friday.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– prayers for my wife Kay in Georgia, and for my 2 kids (Brianna and Brielle), my family at large – be with them since I’m not, for the whole wide world, for my strength and zeal to carry on.  Also want to lift up my friend (Emonhy) – Lord, give her strength she needs to carry on.
• Devan– for family, my grandpa was just buried, and I have court on Wednesday.
• Clarence– Lord bless the volunteers, for the guys on the block that didn’t make it up here, my court date coming up, and that God can work on me.
• Harry– pray for my leg to heal so I can work and send home some money, also thankful for the volunteers.
• Logan– court date coming up, and for my family to keep on while I’m in here.
• Alan– going home soon, keep me on track, give me discipline to stay in the Word, God keep me close so I don’t stray.
• Phil T–  thanks for the largest ever group at our church for Alpha course kickoff.
• Dan T– thanks for answered prayer to my dilemma that was resolved last Thursday.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• The team wants to lift up our brother Phil who has returned but still dealing with severe back pain.

• Pray for Andy and the Leatherman family on the event of Andy’s nephew Doug (40’s) who was found deceased in his apartment Monday morning, apparently from a heart attack.

• Please remember the Doug Burnett family, his funeral service is this weekend.

• We always want to lift up our wonderful chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda, and ask God’s blessing on them for whatever they need in their ministry and in their personal lives.

• Continued prayers for healing of Pastor Jack Crans as he continues in many areas of ministry.

• Remember the aftercare ministries in Chester County that serve men and women released from prison – God grant them all they need to impact and stabilize the lives of these former inmates.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With the Eagle’s season in the history books, we seem to have a few more takers for Monday night services.  We are always thankful for whoever God may call to come to the worship services.  We’re still running below our pre-covid levels, but as Dan reminds us each week – everyone that’s supposed to be there is there.

As we’ve said many times, the transient nature of Chester County Prison has us focus on delivering the gospel message each and every week, and like last night, it often gets woven into the fabric of the entire service – through prayer time, song time, and testimony time as well as in the message itself.  And no matter how many times we talk about it, God’s promise of salvation through Christ’s offer of new life by the shedding of His blood in our place never gets old.  I sure hope the inmates don’t get tired of hearing it, because Lord-willing we won’t get tired of preaching it!

Prayer time kicked off last night with Psalm 70 – a short passage that packs a punch!

Please, God, rescue me!

    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

May those who try to destroy me

    be humiliated and put to shame.

May those who take delight in my trouble

    be turned back in disgrace.

Let them be horrified by their shame,

    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

But may all who search for you

    be filled with joy and gladness.

May those who love your salvation

    repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

But I am poor and needy;

    please hurry to my aid, O God.

You are my helper and my savior;

    O Lord, do not delay! (Psalm 70)

During Testimony time in 2nd service, we heard again from an inmate who identified himself as Muslim last week (but not tonight), and this week revealed how he used to live his life in fear, then quoted from memory Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Please continue to pray for John – God is doing a work in him.

And despite debilitating back pain, Phil delivered the message in both services, driving home the purpose of every Christian – to be a disciple and to disciple others.  And how do we measure ourselves to know if we’re growing as we should? In response, He walked us through a list of Biblical Christian traits scoured from scripture by Dr. Charles Stanley that we could reflect upon.  Phil added a few nuggets of wisdom from his own walk of faith, and encouraged the men to take that ultimate step of faith and trust in the Lord.

We are consistently blown away by what God is doing inside the prison, accomplishing His purposes through volunteers, our wonderful chaplains, and a host of faithful brothers and sisters on the cell blocks.  And we always appreciate how God works through each of you and your prayers to lift up this ministry, the inmates and staff, their families, and our chaplains.  May you be blessed in special ways throughout your week!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Dave– thankful for the volunteers, and pray for my 5 children, for my significant other and her super support, and for my case to be wrapped up Friday and get sent home after being here over a year (case got delayed a week due to snow storm closing courthouse).  God showed me the sign I was asking for when 2 more witnesses stepped up in my defense so my case should get thrown out.
• Angel– also grateful for the volunteers and their servant hearts, thanks that my fiancé Danelle is getting help she needs in her addiction- pray for God’s power to overcome, for my brother Mike with a bad kidney, my older brother Louie,  for my court date on Wed – hoping for release with time served, for world peace, for all the children, and for the guys not in church tonight.
• Angel (same name, different guy)- thanks for volunteers, I want to lift up the pastor and congregation of Oxford Church of the Nazarene, for peace in the world, and for everyone in here.
• John– God’s mercy, grace, and love for all of us, for my eyes that are in bad shape, and to be released soon for injections/eye surgery before I lose my sight, for my kids, family, and grandmom.
• Steven– all glory, honor, and praise to our heavenly Father, and thanks for volunteers, for my family members, and for all those who don’t pray for themselves.
• Brandt– for my situation with a really bad court-appointed lawyer who is doing a poor job on my case, not talking to me, not knowing charges, yet telling me what to accept – I feel stuck on what to do, wrote letters to Judge, DA, the bar, and others about her conduct in this corrupt system (pray for his anger, this was all in a very angry tone), for a single mom friend with kids whose house was flooded before Christmas and everything was ruined/lost, my brother died last month and we’re all having a hard time with that, and for my thinking – I need God’s help how to handle so many issues at once.
• Phil T– for my son Kyle who walks with the Lord but is moving too fast in a relationship with his girl, pray the lord would help him slow down and have wisdom.
• Dan T– for our brother Phil still in  lot of back pain.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– continued prayers for my wife Kay in Georgia, and for my 2 kids (Brianna and Brielle), my family at large – keep them safe, and for the world.
• John (Muslim gentleman)- for understanding of self-worth.  Also for forgiveness and the power to forgive.
• Martin-the volunteers, my family, my 97 year old grandmom, safety for my Mom travelling, and for my successful recovery (from addiction) – please restore me.
• Devan– for family, especially my grandma since my grandpa just passed away yesterday, may the Holy Spirit’s love descend on my family.
• Jeremiah– my family, my court date this week or next – I’ve been in here for 38 months and it’s time to go.
• Phil T–  my church has the Alpha course kicking off, pray God would bring the right people, He would bless them and change their lives forever.
• Logan– my wife, my kids, and that God would show His great grace and mercy to us all..
• Dan T– God help me work out a problem I’m struggling with.
• Thomas– my mother, my 3 daughters, and thanks for all the volunteers coming in..

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Please continue to remember the Burnett family upon the homegoing of Doug  (the fore-runner of this ministry).

• Continual thanks to our great God for our two wonderful servant chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich – may they continue to be inspired, energized, and motivated by the Holy Spirit of God to minister compassionately to the inmates, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison.

• Ongoing prayers for strength and healing within Pastor Jack Crans, may his cancer be put in check and added to his testimony of what God continues to do through him week after week in his multiple ministerial capacities.

• We always want to remember the oft-overlooked aftercare ministries that focus on the forgotten men and women released from prison – may they work with God’s power to help these folks rebuild their lives on the firm foundation of Christ with the goal to not only become godly and productive members of society, but to never see the inside of another prison (unless as a volunteer). God bless these ministries doing the work that so many of us would rather not do nor even think about.

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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

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

www.onesimusministries.org