[To view in a browser, visit this Link]

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you constantly seek God’s direction?  I end my morning prayers asking how best I can honor and glorify Him today.  I’ve found one thing is certain – what God has for us to do is seldom comfortable, and often what we’d rather not do.  Sure, scripture tells us God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7), but I think that’s more about our heart condition towards following His will, and less about feeling good for the time, talent, and treasure we’re willing to give. Scripture also tells us obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22).  If we truly want to follow Him, we must be prepared to go where He asks.

Talk to anyone who’s introduced another person to Jesus. Most will admit it took them outside their comfort zone, but they’re so glad they did it.  That’s where we find Jesus. When we stretch ourselves and fully rely on Him to give us the opportunity and the words, He can use us more effectively than us waiting for when we feel ready.  Growing the Family of God happens through changed hearts – and that’s of the Holy Spirit, not us. He doesn’t need us to bring people to Him, but wants us to get involved in what He’s doing so we grow closer to Him.

Though we are a nation founded on independence, I pray we can all increase our dependence on Him in order to live the life He calls us to.  Thank you for how you join us each week depending on Him to hear and answer our prayers for the inmates, chaplains, volunteers, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison.  Thank you for your faithful support in so many ways. Have a blessed week.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Eugene – daughter (Cashmere) to be able to use right arm, and for strength/healing for my wrists.
• Roland D– wife (Debbi) healing from fractured pelvis and injured foot.
• Andy D– wife (Barbara) just diagnosed with sleep apnea, pray she can get accustomed to CPAP machine like I have and get back to restful sleep.
• Chris– praise God my high school sweetheart is back in my life.  Also for my baby’s mom to allow me to see my daughter.
• Lloyd– oldest daughter (Harley) just graduated high school, she’s responsible and I pray she stays safe and for her direction in life.  Also pray for all my 9 kids, and for my 9 sisters.
• Manuel– court date was delayed, no new date.  Pray for my family.
• Javier– my family.
• Jeff– my kids, especially my 15 month old daughter since her mom is here in prison now.
• Jim– everybody in here, all the court dates coming up, that it goes well on each of them.
• Arnoldo– my family, my wife and 2 kids, and for peace.

• Jack– thankful my commissary situation resolved, parents home safe from international travel, pray for relationship with my father- not currently on speaking terms due to disagreement and his discouraging words to me about not getting back on my feet for 18 months.  Thankful for surprise visit from my Mom last night.

NOTE: Due to a power outage at the prison, services were cancelled Monday Night. 

Below are a few requests from the team, and from Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.

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

o   Continued prayers of healing for team leader Dan undergoing cancer treatment

o   For Phil’s daughter Morgan suffering depression

o   Erwin’s wife Rena with upcoming back surgery

o   For Anna (14) in suicidal depression feeling nobody loves her

o   Dan’s brother in law in mental decline, hasn’t accepted Jesus yet

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

o   Volunteer Matt having shoulder surgery on Wednesday

o   Matt’s wife’s cousin (Chris) with brain tumor

Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

L. J. – back in Chester County Prison; really going through some kind of struggle; she’s always open to hearing about God, but can’t seem to ever commit

K. F. – also back in CCP; experiencing mental and physical health issues;  seems she is a target of the other women for teasing and ridicule

D. S. – ALSO back in CCP; very distraught and discouraged about her circumstances; physical issues, but still trying to grow her relationship with the Lord

Male Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

• Inmates from the Restricted Housing Units where Chaplain Heinrich leads chapel services on Wednesdays. He is preaching through the Gospel of John in a verse-by-verse-chapter-by-chapter manner and is now in chapter 7.

• Inmates from the Maximum Security Units where Jim Davis of City Gate Mission leads chapel services on Wednesdays. Jim has faithfully served Maximum Security for many decades.

• Inmate X (now a Christian) who just “made a deal” at Court and will now spend 12 -14 years in a State Prison. We pray that he will understand that he can be a missionary/ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ in the “far country” where he will now live.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Our wonderful Chaplains serving in the prison each week – Heinrich and Rhonda.
• Continued prayer for Heinrich’s family in South Africa mourning the loss of his sister.
• Thankful for our many faithful supporters.
• Bless all the volunteers serving both inside and outside the prison.
• For all the staff members in the Prison, and their families.
• God’s provision for and blessings upon Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.

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

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

www.onesimusministries.org

[To view in a browser, visit this Link]

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s always cool to see modern examples of why Jesus did what He did during His ministry on earth.  Last night was a great example of why Jesus sent out His disciples two by two (Mark 6:7-13).  God certainly equips the saints in many ways, and I believe He wants us to work together to accomplish His purposes.  A previous pastor of mine used to say there are no “Lone Ranger” Christians (and if you recall, even the Lone Ranger had a sidekick and wasn’t truly alone in his exploits).

After a great presentation of the Gospel message in the second service, an inmate had a question about the Final Judgement for those who accepted Jesus.  The presenter gave an answer but wasn’t clear on the question.  I realized what he was asking, and volunteered my answer about names of the saved written in the Book of Life, and those whose name is in the Book of Life are fully pardoned.  Both answers were correct and beneficial, and the curiosity of that inmate was satisfied.

After the service, I apologized if I stepped on any toes, and my brother in Christ assured me there were no hurt feelings and appreciated “the assist”.  Working together, we accomplished God’s purpose of enlightening that individual on salvation.  The lesson for me – We must be bold enough to offer help when we see a need, and humble enough to allow others to help us.  Let me thank each of you for your “assist” when it comes to praying for the inmates and their prayer requests.  We truly appreciate your partnership in this ministry, and couldn’t do it without you.  God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Eugene– Asking God to return use of her right arm for his daughter (Cashmere).  Also seeking God’s guidance for what’s next after earning his ministry degree – where does God want me to use what I’ve learned?
• Roland– healing for my wife (Debbi) who fractured pelvis and injured foot in a fall.
• Andy– thankful for recovery from bronchitis.  Also for my friend Gary who lost his government job and now has opportunity to get into a few different foreign missions – pray for wisodm and discernment on his particular path.
• Chris– for my baby’s mom to let up and allow me to see my daughter.
• Manuel– my court date on Monday.
• Javier– family.
• Arnoldo– my family, especially my 2 kids, for peace, and for my home country of Guatemala.
• Jim– for everybody in here.

• Jack– my grandmom (Janet) recovering from heart surgery in rehabilitation center.  Traveling mercies for my folks traveling internationally for a wedding.  For my patience, strength, and direction, like in a recent situation in the commissary getting railroaded.  Pray I can get back to family and kids soon as possible.

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

• Rick C– continued prayers of strength and healing for team leader Dan, wiped out from radiation treatments for prostate cancer and now battling a cold as well.  May God grant his desire for a quick return to the team to minister to the inmates.
• John– for all of us to get home.
• Shaun– for patience.  Also for the custody hearing tomorrow my Mom has for my daughter, whose mom died a few months ago.
• Michael– my mother (80) to stay in good health, although she’s very stressed about me in here.  Also for understanding as I’m reading God’s Word in my time here.
• Marty– strength for my Dad who just had his leg cut off.
• Brian– for my Mom just out of the hospital because her stomach lining is messed up.  Thanks for praying for her last week – no cancer!
• Daniel– for my Mom (Rose) who I have insulted for the last 18 years, forgive me for hurting her. And for my girlfriend (Jolanda) who has stood behind me all the time.  For me to be changed, I’ve been going the wrong way.  And for everyone in jail to fix their lives, for the opportunity for everyone.
• Phil T– my daughter (Morgan) suffering with depression – pray for healing and recovery.
• Erwin J– my wife (Rena), looks like she needs back surgery – pray healing over her.
• Jose G– for Anna (14) with suicidal depression, may her heart be filled with the powerful love of the Father, and He will lift her from the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire (Psalm 40.2)
• Phil T– for Dan’s brother-in-law and his further mental decline.  May there be opportunity to accept Christ while still coherent.
• Mackie– for patience and faith.

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

• Joshua– my court appearance tomorrow, that all goes well.  Also witnessing to Brandon, may he hear God’s Word clearly and understand it.
• Vince– for the situation at home with my girlfriend and son needing a new apartment.
• Armando– for my family that needs help, we lost my sister Sonya.
• Charles– court on Wednesday, keep me in your prayers.
• Jared– for all the relationships I’ve fallen away from, help me find stability especially once I get out.
• Sam– I have court next Monday, that it all goes well.
• Frank– for my Mother’s health, and for my Uncle and his brother who have cancer.  And for all the guys here, that it all works out for them.
• Steve– that you won’t see me here again next week, hope to be released after court on Wednesday.
• Sam– for everyone in prison.  And for the volunteers and their families.
• Rick C– praise God my son’s kidney stones are gone.
• Matt R– health complications for several family members.  For my wife’s cousin (Chris) with a brain tumor.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Protect inmate minds from multi-faith and “alternate viewpoint” information, which must legally be made available on the shelves in the chapel.
• Continued prayer for Heinrich’s family members in South Africa, mourning the recent loss of his sister.  May they find their way in God’s grace.
• Blessing upon all our chaplains ministering in the prison every week- Jack, Rhonda, and Heinrich, and their  families.
• Thankfulness for all the prison ministry volunteers, both inside and outside the prison.
• Blessings upon leadership and all staff members in the Prison, and their families.
• For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations taking care of men and women released from prison, helping them reintegrate as productive members of our communities.

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

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

www.onesimusministries.org

[To view in a browser, visit this Link]

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you ever experienced God showing up in an unexpected place?  My family traveled to western New York over the weekend to attend the outdoor wedding of my wife’s nephew.  He has four brothers, all of them great guys, but none strike me as walking closely with the Lord. One of the older brothers was married last year, in a ceremony filled with poetry and flowery language. This wedding, however, was surprisingly different, and quite unexpected.

The officiant appeared to be a pastor – the couple’s pastor – and incorporated scripture throughout the ceremony (and not just the 1 Cor 13 passage on love).  Christ was invited into, and a part of the service right from the start.  And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.  Family members commented to one another all during the reception, first with surprise, then how it was joyfully refreshing to attend a truly Christian wedding.

I’ve known the groom most of his life, and had opportunity to speak with him after the reception.  It was a great discussion of putting Christ first, then living a life of gratitude for all He’s done for us.  I never would have thought he and I would have such a conversation.  I pray God continues to move in the lives of he and his new wife, and maybe rub off a little on his brothers.

One place God’s presence is never a surprise is among all of you that support this ministry.  We are always thankful how God supplies all our needs through His people, and that you follow as He leads.  Thanks as always for your faithful partnership in prayer.  God bless you.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

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

• Rick C– for Andy to recover from the flu and return to full health. Also safe return of Roland and family from wedding in Italy.
• Manuel– family, and my court date in 2 weeks.
• Javier– family.
• Chris– to someday see the vatical in person, and for everyone in here to find faith.
• Ralph– to get a new King James Bible.

• Jack– missed my son’s 4th birthday on Monday, and for my 2 other kids.  For the strained relationship with my wife – she’s seeing another guy after giving me many chances to clean up my act and my alcoholism. Pray for my parents bearing much of the burden, and for God to show me clearly what I need to learn.  Continued prayer for my Grandmom (Janet, 89) who can’t get out of bed after heart surgery. My Mom is taking care of Janet alone, none of her siblings will help.

• Kenny– (I contacted Kenny after his release to remind him to stay in God’s word every day.  He said he will miss our one-on-one meetings but glad to be out.  He said it’s a big adjustment but with time and God’s help he will be OK.)

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

• John– God please guide us all home.
• Shaun– for my bail to be reduced to a reasonable amount, and for the officers to have softer hearts and more compassion.
• Shay– that I would continue on the right path once released.  Also pray that when the time is right, I can become a father, and be a really good father.
• Jim M– my friend Ed who rides a motorcycle had a heart attack this past weekend.
• Jon– my family, protection through the full armor of God, peace throughout the world, and thankful for volunteers that come in each week.
• Tim– to get home and get my family back together – they are going through tribulations.
• Jose G– for a 14 year old girl named Anna who experiences mental issues – cutting and suicidal – may she receive the help she needs and be healed.  Also for everyone in here, and in Chester County prison to be saved.
• Geronimo– my family, for the new guys coming in, and to change our life in here.
• Dan T– failed attempt to have dinner with brother-in-law with mental decline to share gospel with him – Lord please provide the right opportunity.
• Ryan– my children, and all our kids to have good, healthy  lives.
• Joseph– world peace in all the countries and in the U.S. – keep us safe.
• Phil T– thankful for 40 years of marriage, and how my wife stuck with me through all our trials including my prison stay, but she has yet to accept Jesus in her heart – pray she will soon.

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

• Joshua– my Dad passed away this month- my family needs me.  Pray I can get home to my family by Father’s day. Pray for volunteers to all have safe travels home, and that my court date tomorrow goes well.
• Sergio– for my newborn daughter, just born today.  Pray I can be a good father to her.  Also pray for volunteer Andy – complete restoration from sickness.
• Bill– for my baby’s mom (Nicole), and my 4 month old daughter.
• Vince– for my friend Tim going through a hard time, that his spirits would be lifted, and have peace in place of anger. 
• Matt R– Pray for strength and healing for my father-in-law (Gerald)- he fell over the weekend nad his health is rapidly declining.
• Sam– for the physical, mental, and spiritual health of my Mother (Helen).
• Ryan S– for my son’s friend Andrew who we had to put in hospital – headed to a recovery house – pray he finds a good place.  Also for my son who feels it’s his fault.
• Andy D– my sister-in-law (Ginny) has severe physical and emotional issues, but is afraid to reach out.  Pray she could humble herself and seek help.
• Michael– my girlfriend Rebecca and an older friend Shirl that Rebecca and I take care of (Shirl has seizures).  I pray they can stay safe until I return.

Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries

• Our dedicated Chaplains- Jack, Rhonda, and Heinrich, and the families that support them.
• All the volunteer teams, their families, and an increase in ministry opportunities to align with available volunteers.
• Prison leadership, and the staff at all levels, and their families.
• The inmates and their families, who are also “doing time”.
• Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county.  May they have all the volunteers, staff, and resources they need to minister effectively, and bless all the clients as they integrate back into our communities.

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

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

www.onesimusministries.org