My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

God hears our prayers. And God answers our prayers. His answers are often not exactly WHAT we expected, and not WHEN we expected, but His will is perfect and ours is not. So it only makes sense to roll with what He gives us.

 

Our big news is that Chester County Prison is finally back open to religious volunteers! We may wonder (and complain) why it took 3.5 years to resume inmate worship services, but God’s timing is perfect.

 

We are excited to get back into the prison and interact with inmates, showing them Christ’s love as we lift them in prayer and worship alongside them. We get a glimpse of what Matthew recorded in the verses below. 

 

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

 

We also experience the truth of this passage as the volunteer team returning to the prison is smaller than before. So we appeal to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers.

 

If you know anyone who’s wondered about prison ministry (as I once did), or feels the distinct call of the Lord to jump in, please forward this email to them.  Or if that’s you, let’s have a conversation. Simply reply to this email and we can answer questions and guide folks through the process of joining the team and getting the appropriate clearances (all free).

 

We appreciate our Chaplains, Board members, the prison ministry team, and all of our supporters.  God has blessed us with many servant hearts willing to do what He calls us to do, and God always provides.  Thanks as always for your part, and please reach out if you’re feeling the Spirit’s nudge to get a little more involved.  God bless you!

 

Grace and peace,

Rick

 

 

UPDATE: This was going to be the first email in quite a while to contain inmate prayer requests collected at the evening services, but the severe storms that rolled through last night knocked out power to parts of the prison and all activities (including church) had to be cancelled.  So Heinrich stepped up and provided the requests below.

 

Inmate Prayer Requests

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Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

 

Here are the requests for this week:

 

J.S. – “I am low of funds and on faith”.

 

K.H. – Insisting that he wants only Jehovah’s Witness literature to read.

 

B.E. – “May I have religious material on Pagan/Wicca”.

 

W.M. – “I seek material on Santaria”.

 

F.H. – “I would like to go over some stuff about my family with you”.

 

 

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

 

Thankful praise to our great God for allowing volunteers back into Chester County Prison to minister in-person to inmates.

 

Please pray for the Onesimus/Prison Fellowship team going back into the prison after 3.5 years, and that the services would run smoothly.  Also pray for more team members to be trained up, especially for the 8:15pm service.

 

Pray for smooth operations as many of the staff may not be used to the volunteer team coming in and the chapel being back in business. Also pray for “fertile soil” in the quantity and attitude of the inmates that come out for services.

 

Ongoing prayers for strength and wisdom for our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich as they tirelessly serve the inmates, staff, and families connected with CCP.

 

Prayers of health and well-being for all inmates, and may there be peace among the entire prison population.

 

Pray for the various ministry teams from different churches that will go into the prison throughout the week to minister to different cell blocks.

 

Pray for the volunteers and clients in the aftercare ministries, where recently released inmates find ongoing support of the faith life initiated (or revived) while they were in prison.  May the needs of these ministries be met with adequate resources and volunteers, and may everyone involved get a very real sense of the Lord’s presence in their lives.

 

 

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 info@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

 

 

 

 Praise the Lord!

This afternoon we got word from officials at Chester County Prison that effective Monday, Aug 7th, cleared volunteers may resume our 2 weekly inmate church services in the prison Chapel. 

Our team is preparing to hold worship services Monday evening at 7:00pm and 8:15pm.

Please join us in thanking our Heavenly Father and pray for the team that all will go well during our first inmate church services in 3.5 years. 

Grace and peace, 

Rick

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I find it very interesting when you see several things come together, almost like God is trying to teach us something 😉  For example, this morning’s devotion by Rick Warren was centered on the first verse I ever memorized, in Philippians 2…

It’s not that uncommon to read a devotion based on a scripture we’ve memorized, but add in the facts that selflessness has been one of my greatest personal challenges (which is why I consider that scripture one of my life verses), plus I’m on vacation with my family at the beach this week, which gives me pause to wonder,  “Lord, what are you up to here?”

Being in close quarters with my kids again (they are both grown and live on their own now) gives me ample opportunity to practice the words I’ve memorized. And it’s like God gave me a nudge and said “you know that life verse you hold dear? Let’s put it into practice this week, shall we?”

Like many parents, I don’t feel like I did the best job raising my kids. I was often distracted with my job, friends, my own interests, or even ministry when I should have been fully invested in their young lives. Thank God my wife is such a great mom and consistently modeled selflessness so they could see how God wants us to interact, especially with those closest to us.

And we serve a God of second chances. And third chances. And forth.. you get the idea.

That’s one of the main messages we like to preach in the prison- that God hasn’t given up on them and there will be plenty more opportunities to do it right, the way He would have us do it.

We’re thankful for our front-line workers in the prison, Rhonda and Heinrich, and the many opportunities they have each week to provide consistent messages of love, forgiveness, and second chances to the inmates and staff at Chester County Prison. And we’re thankful for all of you who stand with us to support them through prayer and other means, that God’s word would continue to go forth and change lives behind bars. God bless your week, and surprise someone in your life with a totally selfless act this week. See the difference it makes.

Grace and peace,
Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

Here are the requests for this week:

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

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 info@onesimusministries.org.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – 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,

I was blessed to retire from corporate America at the end of last year.  You can read all the books on retirement you like, it’s still a strange experience with surprises along the way.  If you over-analyze everything like I do, you begin to question everything now that you’re “on your own”.  Going from evenings and weekends to having ALL of your time available can be daunting. 

 

Of course it’s great at first – like extended vacation.  Sleeping in, catching up on projects at home (or not), catching up on reading, having time to go to the gym and not be in a hurry for anything – a whole new world.  Yet through it all, I was plagued with wondering if there’s more I should be doing.  God blessed me now with an abundance of time – am I using it effectively for Him?

 

I prayed about it for months, had others pray for me as well, and sought wise counsel from mature Christian brothers and sisters. Finally, inspiration came through helping a friend solve his HVAC issues.  He was quoted hundreds of dollars for what seemed an easy fix.  I dropped by and got him fixed up in no time, saving him hundreds.  On the way home it struck me – I could help out others just like that.  I love to troubleshoot and solve problems, and I’ve done all sorts of home repair work for decades. 

 

That evening, I read a biker devotional describing how different kinds of bikes (sport bikes, touring bikes, and cruisers) excel at different types of riding.  They’re all different, but it’s still riding (and still lots of fun!).  Like how people are all made with different skills and strengths, but with one overall purpose.

 

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.  Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

 

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (Ephesians 4:4)

 

The picture was becoming clear, and now the big question was how to use these skills and gifts for God’s glory?

 

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(Colossians 3:17)

 

An old idea re-emerged with new vigor- why not become a Christian Handyman?  I told some family and friends about the idea, and they all thought it was a good fit.  Now I’m excited to start my own Handyman business to help people out, save them some money, all while spreading the love of Christ.  Lots of details to iron out, but it feels good to have a mission again.

 

What about you?  What are you good at? Are you using it for God’s glory? Our Chaplains are gifted at counseling, ministering to inmates, sharing the Word, and being God’s shepherds over His flock in Chester County Prison.  We’re honored to obey God’s will through supporting Rhonda’s and Heinrich’s gifts, and we are so very thankful for all of you and how you join us in that support.

 

May you all experience the rich blessings of our great God as you exercise your gifts to His glory!

 

Grace and Peace,

Rick

 

 

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

 

C.C. – 18 year old young man incarcerated for a serious crime that will alter his life. Pray that he finds Christ. Thank God for concerned neighbors who have reached out to him prior to the crime. May those seeds from God’s Word germinate in the darkness of his heart.

 

F.H. – Concerned about his family back home.

 

W.M. – Seeking information about Santeria, a polytheistic Afro-Cuban religion full of many mysterious elements that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America.

 

B.E. – He wants information about the Pagan/Wicca “religion”.

 

 

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Thankfulness for the safe return of Chaplain Heinrich and his wife Susan from their travels abroad.  May the encouragement from completion of a local dialect Bible translation stick with them, and may the refreshing received from family visits be felt for years to come.

 

Thanksgiving for a return to “normal” for Chaplain Rhonda now that Heinrich is back from an extended leave. 

 

Continued prayers of strength, endurance, and wisdom for both Heinrich and Rhonda as they minister to everyone (inmate., staff, family members) connected with Chester County Prison.

 

Pray that discussions of the Chapel opening at the prison become reality, and that services for the inmates would resume very soon.

 

Also pray for quick expansion of activities within the chapel, that daily activities could expand into nightly activities where volunteers could come in and minister in person to inmates.

 

For health, physical and mental well-being, and peace to be evident throughout the prison population.

 

Pray for quick recovery from recent covid cases at the prison, and protection of inmate health ongoing.  And protection of the progress made towards reopening the prison – may these cases not be a setback.

 

And finally we lift up those that minister to released inmates, building upon the progress made while incarcerated.  May all the aftercare ministries flourish with adequate resources and volunteers, and may all clients get a very real sense of your presence, Oh Lord.

 

 

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 info@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,

I was hit with this question in a morning devotion – Do we trust God?

Do we trust Him when He puts someone in our path? Like a really needy, self-absorbed person- How do we trust Him in that situation? How do we know what to do?

 

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

 

Jesus was constantly surrounded by self-absorbed needy people. Some might argue most of His disciples were like that.  How did He handle the most needy among the crowds?  How did He not get dragged down into their problems or become their sole provider of support?

 

He loved them. He healed them.  More importantly, he forgave them and reconciled their relationship with God.

But what can WE do?  Paul reminded the church in Corinth that we are all called into the ministry of reconciliation.

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

 

God’s word clearly instructs us to love them. But that doesn’t mean we submit to their every wish. In fact, sometimes the most loving thing we can do is withhold something that ultimately may not be beneficial to them.

Isn’t that what God does with us?

 

So we must trust.  Trust in the One who made all things. Trust in his Son who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  And trust in His Spirit who guides our understanding and leads us into all truth. No one ever said it would be easy, in fact Jesus warned us that we will have trouble…yet we must trust.

 

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9.23)

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33)

 

As a ministry, we trust God to provide, and He always does. He’s proven His trustworthiness consistently- carrying this ministry through tight financial times, finding us needed resources (for free), and leading us to the right servants when our prior Chaplains retired. And He has brought all of you alongside us to support through prayer and other means. So why do we even hesitate to trust a God who’s provided over and over?

May God bless you richly as you trust in Him.

 

Grace and Peace,

Rick

 

 

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

Here are the requests for this week:

 

K.S. – an older inmate; many times incarcerated; trying to focus on God and grow her faith; has a court hearing this week, asking for prayer.

 

T. F. – very open to the things of God; requesting much material to read and study; pray that her desire to know God continues to increase and is satisfied.

 

S.H. – reading, studying, and pursuing God with the woman mentioned above (T.F.); pray that they will encourage each other to keep going and that God will meet them.

 

A.N. – a very sweet woman; years of trauma and abuse; but still has a sweet, gentle spirit; wanting to reclaim the faith she knew as a child; please pray for her.

 

Also, please keep praying as the talk of opening the chapel again for services continues and increases; that soon we may be able to gather the men and women and tell them face to face about our wonderful Savior.

 

 

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Traveling mercies for Chaplain Heinrich and his wife Susan as they return to the U.S. this week after an extended trip throughout South Africa and Mozambique.

 

Continued prayers for Chaplain Rhonda’s strength and endurance covering all Chaplain duties during Heinrich’s absence.

 

We pray God’s timing would be soon for volunteers to return to in-person ministry within Chester County Prison.  May any obstacles be removed and the way made clear for your servants to proclaim Your majesty directly to the inmates.

 

We lift up the inmates, staff, and all their families to You Lord, asking for blessing in the way each one needs. May there be good physical health and compassionate spirits across the cell blocks.

 

We pray for speedy recovery of any in prison who have fallen ill, and relief for those suffering withdrawal from addiction.  May each one receive the help they need.

 

We lift up the aftercare ministries to You Father, who have not stopped serving even during the pandemic time.  May their faithfulness bear fruit in the many women and men they counsel after release from prison. Please bless them with the time, resources, and volunteers needed to do Your will in that space.

 

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 info@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,

Recently a Christian brother and I were discussing an evangelism tool our church is rolling out called 3 circles.  It basically draws a picture of man’s progression from God’s original design, to the Brokenness we live in now, and the Gospel as the solution to restore our relationship with God. We use various scenarios to practice using the tool.

 

The most common scenario begins during discussion of a serious problem someone is struggling with, such as a close relative diagnosed with cancer.  We practiced this scenario and used the tool to walk through presenting the Gospel. Then a very pertinent question came up – How does the gospel message of salvation through Christ alone address the original problem?  How does it make things better?

 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

 

I think many Christians may come across that question as they share the Gospel with others.  How does a  newfound faith apply to the original problem?

 

I pondered the question and believe the Holy Spirit led me to an answer.  When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, we also receive God’s Holy Spirit who counsels us and leads us into all truth.  And that Truth goes way beyond our current circumstances, and beyond our very lives.  He gives us a new perspective on a much grander scale, where we can see ultimate healing when this life is over and there is no more sorrow, death, or sin.  While God may indeed intervene in our present circumstances and bring healing in this life, we can now see the brevity of this life in light of eternity.  And I believe that context can change our perspective on our current problems.

 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.  He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. (John 16:13-14)

 

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

 

The enemy would have us believe we are alone in our struggles, but for the saved the light of Christ and fellowship within the family of God prove otherwise.  Men and women in prison are very much in tune with feeling alone in their struggles, and we thank God for our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich who consistently share and model the Gospel within the walls of Chester County Prison.  We are also very thankful for all of you, whose support allow this prison ministry to continue.  May God bless you in a special way this week.

 

Grace and Peace,

Rick

 

 

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

Here are the requests for this week:

 

B.R. – sweet young woman, pursuing God, working her way through Bible study books; recently left CCP.

 

C.J. – asked for prayer; reincarcerated shortly after a previous incarceration.

 

R.O. – “Please, please, please can I have a journal, a Bible and just stuff to learn more and be closer to the Lord. Please and thank you.”

 

V.M. – a young woman dealing with severe mental illness, to the point of hallucinations and incoherency. She settled down and allowed me to pray for her and was very receptive. Please keep her in your prayers. God is able to heal.

 

 

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Continued prayers for safety, wellness, and achieving their goals for Chaplain Heinrich and his wife Susan as they travel throughout Africa on an extended trip.

 

Also continued prayers for sanity and strength for Chaplain Rhonda as she “minds the store” while Heinrich is gone.

 

Lord, help us wait upon you, and we pray your timing is very soon to finally open up Chester County Prison to religious volunteers.  We acknowledge it’s all in your hands, and pray any roadblocks be put aside and your will be done.  Thank you for the progress made thus far, help us be patient for your perfect timing.

 

May the staff, inmates, and their families all enjoy your perfect peace in their hearts, minds, and bodies, as seen through Bible studies and fellowship, calmer attitudes, and healthy bodies.

 

Father, please pour out your blessing upon those who care for recently released women and men coming out of prison.  May the various aftercare ministries be effective in discipling these former inmates, and bless these souls as they forge a new path for their lives with You at the center.

 

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 info@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