Winter 2014 Jottings – Chaplain Peter

Posted on November 22, 2014 by onesimus1

My name is Peter Roomet and I am the Pastoral Chaplain at Chester County Prison. I am enabled to be at the prison full time under the umbrella of Onesimus Ministries Inc. We have had a chaplain in the county prison full time for over 37 years. This is possible because churches and individuals such as you include Onesimus Ministries in their mission and giving budget.
Every day within the walls of Chester County Prison which number more than 975 inmates, there are hardships, heartaches and broken lives. Each day I enter the prison I step into a very needy society. My responsibilities are to Biblically preach, teach and counsel the inmates toward righteousness in a relation with our Lord so they may become contributors to society as opposed to those who would shred its moral fiber. Also my responsibility is to minister cross-culturally to men of other faith walks so they, too, may re-enter society as productive human beings. This is a demanding position in life and I am blessed to be called to this ministry.
Jesus changes lives, but it takes time to realize the change and practice to get stronger at living the new life in Christ (2 Cor 5:17-21). The crisis of incarceration will not go away unless the people who are arrested learn a new way of living. Call me a life coach if you will, taking on the responsibility of training inmates to become spiritual athletes as opposed to spiritual invalids. I am truly thankful for the privilege of ministering at Chester County Prison and have experienced great joy as many inmates have been able to learn of the love of Jesus and His ability to change lives from sinner to saved and from reprehensible to redeemed. The individuals at Chester County Prison will be returning to our communities someday, but without the presence of someone to help them change their lives they in turn will have a greater negative impact on society.

As you well know, the demands of society can be daunting. The truth about ministry is that it rarely occurs with power unless there is the actual presence of the laborer. For chaplaincy to be effective we must be present as the laborer. Occasionally there is a season of uncertainty as to how I can afford to devote my time to the prison exclusively. Onesimus Ministry has been experiencing very trying times due to the “economy of man” and has been getting through some very trying times due to the “economy of God.” I ask that you help us (the Chaplains) to not be distracted from the ministry due to financial uncertainties by continuing your support of prayer and finances. Praise Jesus for His faithfulness and our trust in Him to provide. I ask for your help in keeping me in the trenches of the County Prison training people in righteousness so they will be able to face the rigors of life anew when they reach the streets of life.
Please contact Onesimus Ministries, (610-932-4429) or myself (610-857-3980), (proomet@chesco.org) to arrange a time that I may share the vision and work being accomplished at your county prison through you and your congregation.

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Winter 2014 Jottings – Chaplain Lil

Posted on November 22, 2014 by onesimus1

“Then the King will say to those on his right, Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom it has been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room,  I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.  Then those sheep are going to say, Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)
In studying these verses in Matthew, I can’t help but reflect on the women inmates at Chester County Prison. Many of the women have been hungry, homeless and have been in prison numerous times. Especially now with the holiday season quickly approaching. They are at a constant struggle with missing family and their children. I find it difficult sometimes to understand what they are going through. Yet, God has given me the strength to minister to the women at this time.
There are 108 women in total at Chester County Prison at this time. On Mondays, I meet with minimum and medium security women for Bible study. I have been reading through Joyce Myers’, “You Can Begin Again.” Many of the women have been thinking about their own lives and the changes that need to happen, not only will they benefit, but hopefully their families can benefit from these changes. On Tuesday’s I meet with maximum security women and read through the same book listed above. Praise the Lord for these types of books that open many hearts and minds to what the Lord will use to help us understand what he wants to do in our lives.
I would ask that you pray for the women of CCP as they go through the holidays incarcerated. May God bless you through the holidays and thank you for your prayers and support.

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March 2014 Jottings – Chaplain Lil

Posted on March 14, 2014 by onesimus1

Ephesians 4:11-12

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting (furnishing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

I praise the Lord for the twenty years that I have had to walk through the doors of Chester County Prison. The experiences are constantly changing.

The women are faced with many challenges with court cases, family struggles and the general stress of prison life.  They are also worried about who is taking care of their children. They become concerned about health problems with family members and with themselves. I find myself engrossed with helping them sort out these issues. Helping the women put things into perspective has become a major portion of my job. I have received calls at all hours of the day and night, by women ending up in the hands of the police with issues relating to their varying addictions. I have also met with women released from Chester County Prison. Some share their victories and some share their continuing battles. I try to have an open ear just to listen and be persistent to point women in the direction of Christ so they find the answers deep inside of themselves.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. They are deeply appreciated.

In His service,

Chaplain Lil

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Is The Weight of the World Too Much for My Branches?

Posted on March 14, 2014 by onesimus1

This winter has been very brutal as far as the damage incurred from the ice and snow.  So many trees have had their limbs come crashing to the ground from the weight of the elements.  Wires have snapped because of the incredible amount of ice that had formed during the past storms.  Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were without power for up to weeks instead of hours or days.  I would say that is very brutal.

The cleanup from the storms is very dramatic, in that trees are cut up to be hauled away and wires are restrung on the poles, some of which that had been replaced.  All of this is at a great expense to families and communities alike.  If there had been some fore thought to trim overhanging branches away from wires and prune branches that are just too long and large for the tree trunks to support, much of the damage could have been avoided.  After the storms damage had occurred much of this comes to light, but there is still a long period of repair that needs to happen.

So is the parallel of our life experience.  Severe storms may hit at any moment to reveal that our own branches and wires are not strong enough to carry the load and peoples’ lives come crashing to the ground.  The branches may be the arms of life that are stretched way too far and the wire could be our system within, overloaded by work, drugs, alcohol, lust, anxiety or any other life controlling problem.  When people crash and burn from the overload of life this too comes at a great expense to families and communities alike.

There are many people currently incarcerated as a result of not being prepared for the storms of life and they have no idea of how to repair the damage that had occurred from the storms.  As Chaplains we are in the repair and renewal business of broken lives as well as being life coaches for change or pruning [John 15:1-8]. We teach from the Bible instructions for living to help people avoid making the same mistakes again.  Jesus is always available as the husbandman of his creation, able to heal the damaged and strengthen the weak.  This is the message of hope for those who had fallen and the hope for those who may fall.  I believe that the families and communities of the incarcerated will be able to welcome them back as the new and improved members of society, pruned and rewired ready to face any new storms with the strength of Christ and the control of the Holy Spirit.  I pray that you see our county Prison not as a warehouse for people, but as a sanctuary of souls being healed and headed for higher ground.  Thank you for your support toward the storm damage of human lives.

Blessings, Chaplain Peter

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Expectation and Excitement – About Moving? -Richard Murray

Posted on March 14, 2014 by onesimus1

Expectation and excitement, these are the two words which describe our Christmas vacation to Florida this year. The last time I was there was 7 years ago; God spoke to me by the way of 2 dreams. I have watched those dreams unfold over the last few years.  So when we decided to go back this year, an excitement and expectation grew within us. Would He speak again to us, would He share another dream? What was going to happen? The Bible teaches in Hebrews 11:6, ”Without faith it is impossible to please God, because we have to believe He is who He says He is and, that He rewards those that diligently seek Him.” So we see faith in God should produce two things– expectation and excitement.

Each morning I approached prayer with the feeling of excitement. I expected more from my daily Bible studies, just waiting for Him to speak. One afternoon while praying, He said “Richard, I want to talk you”; I said “Okay Lord, I am here.” Jesus began to talk to me about the last 8 years of our lives, about all the ministries we were involved in, all the struggles I was having. He said for the last 8 years my wife Carrie has followed me everywhere, she has laid down her dreams to further the kingdom of God. Only a few people knew that it has been my wife’s desire to move to Florida. I was always quick to say “no”; until Jesus speaks I am not going anywhere. Well, Jesus spoke and said, ”I want to give Carrie a gift, I want you to move, and I want you to relocate here to Florida.” I said, “Lord are you sure,” like He made a mistake? He said, ”Yes, I want to bless her with this gift.” He then told me, ”He could use me anywhere and would open new doors for me in ministry.” Being a minister I started to think about the ministries I was involved in, who was going take over them, who would carry them on? They seemed to be bearing fruit; they seem to be entering new phases. I was at a crossroads in life, was God really saying this to us, and was He really calling us to lay it all down and follow Him. In Mark chapter 1, Jesus is walking by the seashore and sees Andrew and Simon cleaning nets and says “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” The Bible says that instantly they forsook all and followed Him. They walked away from their jobs, the source income, there business, why? To follow Jesus.

This was the call He was laying before us, and I realized three things about that passage of Scripture. First, when Jesus calls us, He gives us purpose. He will never ask us to do something if there isn’t a purpose behind it. Two, we find provision, because He isn’t going to have us follow Him, if He wasn’t going to provide for us. Lastly, protection. When walking with God, nothing can overcome Him, and nothing will take Him by surprise. We might see these three things instantly, but going back to my original statement, we must trust God with faith, which will produce expectation and excitement. So after a few other things Jesus shared with us, we decided to take up his call and move. As of the third week of February 2014, we will become residents of Florida. Upon us leaving we had no jobs, no plan, just a word from the Lord Jesus. Before we left Florida at the end vacation, Jesus opened the door for us buy a house, so the temptation to stay in Pennsylvania would be gone.

Friends, today what is He calling you to do, where is asking you to go? It might not be as big as packing up and moving on, it could be as simple as stepping out and volunteering somewhere. The staff of Onesimus Ministries is made up of people who have laid down their lives to follow Him. Some are chaplains, some board members, some intercessors, some counselors, some givers, but all volunteers for the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today please pray, to deny yourselves, take up your cross daily and follow Him. We could use you here….

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An Open Invitation

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Vernon Myers

Greetings in the Name of the One who offers us the forgiving grace of a loving Lord. From such grace we experience the “good news” of a second chance, grace to become a new creation in Christ, the old is passing away and the new is coming. We are given grace to be reconciled not only with Jesus, but also with those with whom we have broken trust. The Lord is our Shepherd and He restores our souls.

This letter is your invitation to be a part of a very special evening with friends of Onesimus Ministries at Chester County Prison.  Our spring banquet will be held on Friday, Apr. 11, at Mt. Vernon Mennonite Church.  Mount Vernon is located at 1 Lighthouse Drive, Kirkwood, PA, 17536. Come at 6:00 PM to enjoy punch and cheese and meet others who are supportive of the ministry at Chester County Prison.  The dinner will begin at 6:30. The celebration will follow in the sanctuary.

The speaker is Dan Turley.  Dan is 68 years old.  He’s a decorated Vietnam Veteran, a member of MENSA, the international high IQ society and has been the chaplain for the local Christian Motorcyclists Association chapter for the last five years. He’s the father of two great sons and four of the world’s most beautiful grandchildren.

In 1989 Dan was sent to prison for crimes he did not commit and in searching for the answer as to why God would allow this to happen to him he felt that it was to prepare him for prison ministry.  He has been a regular member of the Monday Night Ministry at Chester County Prison for over 19 years and leads the service for the medium security inmates.

The evening of fellowship always proves to be inspirational. Come join those who have a heart for sharing the life changing gospel of Christ with men and women in prison. It will be a time of worship, of praise to the Lord for the opportunity to be involved in this ministry.

A free will offering will be taken in support of Onesimus We count on the faithful financial support of those who see this ministry as significant and essential to the men and women under the influence of Peter Roomet and Lil Anthony at Chester County Prison.

Please indicate the number of persons who will be coming on the enclosed form and return it to Onesimus Ministries, 145 Bethel Road, Oxford, PA 19363, or call Jim Kreider at 717-529-6487.

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From the Treasurer, March 2014 – Roy Fite

Posted on March 14, 2014 by onesimus1

A good reason to join us in praise for God’s faithfulness.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Your generous contributions throughout 2013 supported chaplains Peter and Lil as they served to the spiritual needs of hundreds of men and women at Chester County Prison.  Your gifts ensure that CCP is exposed to Christ’s light and love in hope that many will receive His blessings.  “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.” [Matt 8:8].  With your continued support Peter and Lil will be able to provide guidance to those who knock! May God bless you and your families!

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Monday Night Prison Fellowship – Jim Kreider

Posted on October 22, 2013 by onesimus1

I am very grateful to God that on November 25 we can celebrate the completion of 35 years of Prison Fellowship in Chester County Prison.  God has supplied volunteers to share the gospel of Jesus every Monday night through all these years.  We continue to hold two services each Monday evening—one each for medium and minimum security inmates with a total of 25-50 attending.  We have been seeing more interest and responses as we share Jesus.  It has been a wonderful privilege to share the Good News of God’s great plan of salvation and His desire for believers to live daily in fellowship with Him.  We serve Him joyfully!

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From the Treasurer, Winter 2013 – Roy Fite

Posted on October 22, 2013 by onesimus1

I would like to give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him through Onesimus Ministries.  I would also like to thank Kendall Keeler for his guidance and patience during the transition and for being a wonderful brother in Christ.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Thanks to your generous giving, contributions are 10% greater than last year.  I ask that you keep in mind that historically, Onesimus Ministries receives nearly 40% of its contributions in the last two months of each year.  I hope that your hearts are filled with cheer in knowing that Peter and Lil will be able to continue serving our brothers and sisters in Christ at Chester County Prison with your continued and faithful support.

In the previous Jottings Newsletter, Kendall shared a prayer request from the Onesimus Board for a fall fundraising event.  That prayer was answered!  Thanks to all who attended and contributed to the hymn sing at Mt. Vernon Church in September.  We were blessed with the performances of the Nottingham Four and soloist David Petty, with Pastor Vernon and Andy Leatherman leading us in giving praise to the Lord.

Roy Fite

Treasurer

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Will My Anchor Hold?

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Vernon Myers

I suspect every generation might have said we live in stressful times, and how can it get worse.  There is the ebb and flow of continual change which all of us face.  The time also comes as we get older when “the optimism of youth” gives way to “the reality and concern” of maturity.  The older we get the more angst we experience.

As I thought about our changing times and the national polarity which seems to be pulling us apart, my mind went back to the lyrics of an old hymn I enjoy, entitled, Will My Anchor Hold?  The writer picks up the image of a ship on stormy water and the absolute necessity of a secure anchor—it is quite easy to make a significant spiritual application.

 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

 We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

 It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

All of us wish for “peaceful waters” in everyday living, but real life is not often like that for any extended period of time.  Something will come to “stir up the waters” of every day living.  It might be health issues where one trip to the doctor turns your world upside down. Or you find yourself in a broken relationship not of your choosing or desire, but it has happened and you find yourself a single parent.  Or the economy has slowed and you find yourself without a job with an uncertain future at best. Or bad habits and behaviors have finally caught up with you and you find yourself or someone you care about sentenced to time in prison.   Like the phrase from another song—“….when the world you have been living in comes crashing at your feet.”

All of us face such times when our faith is tested.  You ask yourself on what will your faith rely?  Will the “anchor” of your heart hold firm when “the storm clouds of life” unfold their wings of strife?  Yes, it will.  The answer—your heart is “safely moored” by the Savior’s hand.  “The cables passed from His heart to mine can defy the blast, through strength divine.”  There is the strength to “weather the storm.”  We have an anchor that keeps the soul.

Onesimus Ministries is committed to the task of helping men and women find a heart and life change which will profoundly impact their life and living.  In v. 11 in the Apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon he asks his friend Philemon to accept back a servant of his who had stolen from him and wronged him.  Paul had the occasion while in prison to introduce Onesimus to the life changing good news of God’s forgiving grace.  Paul asks Philemon to accept him back as a brother in the Lord.

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, (name means “useful”) who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me….I am sending him back to you……no longer as a slave, but as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a dear brother in the Lord.”     Philemon 10-16

 Onesimus Ministries seeks to encourage our local churches to receive and assist men and women who are experiencing a life change and becoming “useful” members of our communities.

 

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