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

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night, the weather outside was frightful, but the Spirit inside delightful.  Once again, prison ministry volunteers demonstrated how much they care about inmates by braving dangerous conditions to share the love of Christ with them through worship and testimony.  I’ve heard it said there’s no place safer than in God’s will, and I believe that.  He kept us all safe and got everyone home without incident after serving the men at Chester County Prison.

The evening began on a somber note as we paid tribute to a fore-runner of today’s prison ministry.  Doug Burnett passed away Monday morning.  Doug was a tough guy who did many bad things that ultimately landed him in prison.  He found Christ in Chester County Prison and it forever changed his life.  So much that he cornered his Pastor asking to find a way to go back in and share with the inmates what he found there.  God made a way, and Doug returned to prison (as a volunteer) to share Christ with the men. Doug’s following of God’s calling paved the way for what our volunteers do every Monday night. Many continue to be blessed thanks to Doug’s obedience.  You can read the full story at https://onesimusministries.org/about-us/history/

We also paid tribute to another obedient servant of God – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – a true peacemaker who accomplished great things in the civil rights movement through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Dan recalled how he grew up in the south and personally witnessed the incredibly harsh treatment of black people, and what a huge difference Dr. King made in our nation’s history.

We then turned our thoughts to God’s great provision of safety and salvation as seen in Psalm 61.

O God, listen to my cry!

    Hear my prayer!

From the ends of the earth,

    I cry to you for help

    for my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

    for you are my safe refuge,

    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

Let me live forever in your sanctuary,

    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

For you have heard my vows, O God.

    You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. (Psalm 61:1-5)

In place of the typical message preached to the men, the volunteers all took turns sharing their personal testimony and how God has moved in their lives.  It was an impactful night of sharing, with the men completely engaged in the many different ways God’s Spirit got ahold of each heart that now serves them on Monday nights.

And we thank our great God for how He’s captured each of your hearts, and called upon you to pray faithfully for the men (and women) in prison, their families, and their heart cries listed below.  I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – never underestimate the impact and power of your prayers – it is the lifeblood of ministry!  Thank you for your faithfulness and may God bless you richly each and every day!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Dave– for my children, for my girl who really supports me, and for my case on Fri- praying to be released since I’ve been here a year.
• Angel– for world peace, all of us in here, my little brother Mike, my brother Louie, and my fiancé Danelle in recovery for addiction – I pray for her and others to be released from addiction. I pray for freedom from here, and for all the sick and suffering.
• Tyrese– for my 5 sisters and my girlfriend.
• Steven– all honor, praise, and glory be to God, and thankful for volunteers each week. I’ll be 69 soon and I want what you guys got.  Pray for my family, especially my oldest son Tyrone (49) to grow spiritually, and for Cody back on the block who takes such good care of us.
• John– for peace in the world, especially Ukraine, Israel, and across Africa, for those impacted by disasters, for my family, my 9 kids, and my 3 grandkids.  I pray for early parole so I can get eye surgery.

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

• John– for all the incarcerated, our families, and our broken spirits to be lifted.
• Craig– thanks for the volunteers, even when there’s bad weather and an Eagles game they still show up.  Thanks for Monday night services, and prayers for my wife Kay in Georgia – it’s her 52nd birthday today.  Pray for my children, my family at large, and for the whole world.
• Oscar– for my court date next week, and for my family.
• Martin-a good outcome for all our court dates, for family, and thanks God for keeping them safe on their drive to Florida yesterday.  And pray for my successful recovery from addiction.
• Harry– thanks for the volunteers, and prayers for my wife’s daughter (Iana) in the hospital and supposed to come home Thursday.  Pray for my relationship with my wife and she is struggling financially.
• Jacob– for my daughter who’s been very sick for a couple weeks now, and her mom going through a lot without me – I feel so helpless.  Praying for strength for the family, and health for grandparents.  And the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – that his lessons be learned and not forgotten.
• Tommy– my wife and 2 daughters.
• Andy D–  my brother-in-law Ira had a knee replacement scheduled for next week, and during pre-surgical check they discovered he’d had a heart attack.
• Harry–  just got working papers, pray for my recovering from a broken leg, and that I can make some money for my wife.
• Logan– God’s mercy on us and our loved ones.
• Alan– more faith in God, and my mom is very sick and close to death- pray for her health and my relationship with her (which hasn’t been good).
• Please pray for John, a Muslim gentleman who gave testimony in the second service that he didn’t choose to come out but he was called to be there with us, and said he was there to be cleansed.  He claimed (incorrectly) that Allah is just another name for God – Pray the Holy Spirit would give him wisdom and understanding of what God is doing in his life.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Please remember the Burnett family as we celebrate the homegoing of Doug and they mourn the loss of his presence.

• We continue to lift up in prayer our brother Phil Taylor still suffering great back pain and inability to walk.  Pray for wisdom of the doctors, effectiveness of the treatment(s), and overall healing for our fellow servant who would like nothing better than to get back in with us on Monday nights.

• Thanks Lord for providing more laborers in the field.  We asked and you answered.  You are so good to us!

• Thanks also for our two wonderful servant chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich – and how they are your hands and feet ministering to inmates, staff, families, and more.  Please continue to bless them to be a blessing to others.

• Continued prayer for Pastor Jack Crans dealing with late stage cancer, yet continuing to serve in multiple  capacities as if nothing was wrong. We pray for strength and healing.

• We continue to lift up all the aftercare ministries helping former inmates continue to build upon the foundation of Christ as they return to society.  May God continue to provide for all the needs within these ministries, and a special blessing upon the men and women being served there, that they would become all that God calls them to be.

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,

A new year is often seen as a chance to start fresh or incorporate some new habits.  Prisoners see little change in their daily routine just because the calendar turned over. It’s into this gloom and monotony that we speak Hope – and a reminder that as Christians, Hope is something we have, not something we do.  Prayer time during last night’s services began with a reminder of God’s promise of protection, love, and faithfulness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!

    I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings

    until this violent storm is past.

I cry out to God Most High,

    to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

He will send help from heaven to rescue me,

    rescuing me from those who are out to get me.

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

(Psalm 57:1-3)

Andy’s message drew from John 5:1-15 where Jesus healed a man who was lame for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. A curious passage illustrating many in despair seeking healing, yet the man Jesus restored did not recognize Him, worship Him, nor even thank Him. In stark contrast to Jesus’ other healings, this man walked away only to be challenged by Jewish leaders for carrying his mat on the Sabbath.  Jesus wants us to quit focusing on our own little world and problems to see a bigger picture of who He is and what He’s doing.

And the ultimate question for all of us on this planet who need spiritual, emotional, relational, and/or physical healing (which is all of us) is what do we do about Jesus?  Accept Him as Lord and Savior? Pursue a relationship with Him that He desires of us? Or dismiss Him as this healed man did and return to our own narrow understanding of religion?  We challenge the men each week to look beyond their present circumstances, gain a more eternal perspective, and for some to make a decision of ultimate consequence. 

As we begin 2024, let us pray for many more souls to join the family of God this year, both inside the prisons and beyond.  Thank you for your offerings of prayer each week for these men and their families, the prayer requests below, and for our Chaplains and prison ministry team going into the prison.  God bless you!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Dave– for everyone in here dealing with hard times, for my children and my significant other who is such a great source of support.  I pray to be released soon.
• Steven– all glory , honor, and praise be to God, and thanks for volunteers coming in each week.  Pray for my family and for answered prayer.
• Angel– for my family, and my fiancé who is in recovery now for her addiction, for world peace especially in Israel and for the Japan earthquake.  I pray for the new DA and that good things would happen now, like with my court date coming up at the end of the month, that I would get released on time served.  And for all of our families and friends.
• John– for peace in the world and for all of our families. For our faith in God to be strong, and I’m still waiting on a decision around release – I pray it would happen soon so I can get surgery on my eye.
• Dave– thanks for answered prayer – I kept asking God for a sign and I got a new lawyer assigned and might be out as early as next week.

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

• Craig– thankful for the volunteers, for my wife Kay in Georgia with my kids (Brianna and Brielle), for my family at large, and for the whole world.
• Harry– for al of us in here and our families, for all upcoming court dates, and for my wife’s daughter in the hospital – they are not sure what’s going on with her.
• Donovan– for God to strengthen my relationships with my family, and for God to pour out His anointing on my wife that she could know Him in a personal way.
• Jeremiah– for family, and my four kids having a hard time right now asking lots of questions about where is Dad and why he’s not at home.  Wisdom for how to answer these questions.
• Devan– also dealing with family questions about when I’m coming home, and for God to make a way for that to be soon.
• Andy L– that my wife and I can be encouraging light in our community, particularly with a young lady abandoned by her husband – grant her wisdom to make good decisions.
• Holland– for my Mom who is sick, and for her to find God.  For us to see more of God and what he’s doing.
• Logan– for my wife and my kids, hear our prayers, and thanks for answers in accordance with Your will.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We lift our brother Phil Taylor before the throne of grace to ask the Great Physician and Author of Life to heal his back, relieve his suffering, and restore his ability to walk.

• Our thankfulness to the Lord overflows for His providing five volunteers to augment the prison team on Monday nights.  God is good, all the time.  And all the time, God is good.

• Ongoing prayers of gratitude for our two wonderful chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich.  It’s encouraging to see how God uses these two willing servants each and every week to reach inmates, staff members, and families with the love of Jesus Christ.  May our God continue to bless them with all they need and more.

• We continue to petition our Heavenly Father for healing and restoration of Pastor Jack Crans, as he continues to labor for the Lord in many capacities despite a dire cancer prognosis.

• Please keep in prayer the aftercare ministries helping recently released inmates to return to society while solidly standing on the firm foundation of Christ.  Pray for God’s provision to meet and exceed all their material and resource needs that they might serve Him efficiently and effectively in this mission field.  And lift up their clients to become the men and women of God that he calls them to be.

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,

HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all!  There was an air of hope with the inmates last night as we wished each one a Happy New Year as they entered the chapel.  Perhaps they felt a little more valued – like someone cared about them since volunteers showed up on 2 holidays in a row – Christmas and New Years Day.  Or more likely it was the love of Christ we share with them each week through encouragement, worship, and hearing the Word of God together.

The theme of hope in the new year was evident through the prayers, the singing, the testimonies, and the message.  Dan reminded us through retelling of multiple prophecies that not only is God’s Word true (including promises past and future), those who know the Lord should live in expectation of His return.  The only details not revealed to us are the hour and the day – everything else about what’s coming and how it will happen are spelled out in scripture.  We know Jesus’ return is imminent, judgement is coming, and our perfectly just God will ultimately make all things right.  And we are all without excuse if we have not accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation, paid for by our Savior’s suffering, death on a cross, and how he bore God’s wrath in our place. We must be in right standing with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and invite all those around us to do the same.

I pray each of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s celebration.  May we all resolve in 2024 to be more disciplined in reading His Word every day, sharing His love with all those around us, and praying for all those God puts on our heart.  Thank you all for your weekly commitment to praying for inmates and their families.  I pray a new year of God’s rich blessings upon each of you and your families.

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Steven– all glory , honor, and praise be to God, and I thank him for the volunteers He sends us each week.  I want to lift up my family that supports me, all the people in my home, and I thank God that he has taken away my anger.
• John– for my fellow inmates and Christian brothers, my kids, my grandkids, and for peace in the world as we have wars and rumors of wars.  I ask God to help me with my resolution to be free and stay free.
• Mike– pray for an elderly man back on the block who couldn’t make it out to the service tonight, and he has court tomorrow.
• Dave– for everyone in here, our children, and my significant other who is my rock.  I pray for forgiveness, and that the judge will do something with my case on Wednesday – I’ve been here for a year without determination of my case.
• Eric– I pray to get out of here, civility for myself, and to live a long life.
• Angel– for peace in the world, for the children of the world, for those struggling in addiction, for my fiance, and my brother (needs kidney), and my father (psychological issues).  I’m thankful for the volunteers, and lift up Israel and all the victims especially children, and pray for the men who didn’t come out to the services tonight.
• Chris– for a man back on the block (Marty) who feels bad, for my girl (Maryann) having a rough time on the streets, and for the addicted.
• Andy L– for the peace of God to fall on the community where I live in this new year – there is much distress and many issues in our neighborhood.
• John– to be released this month, that the judge would accept early parole so I can get eye surgery.
• Angel– for the poor, those without hope, boldness for us to share Jesus.
• Derrick– for God’s help with decision making.  My bad choices led here, I need His help to make better choices since they affect not just me but my family and others.  I want to be a good Dad.
• Jim– for wisdom, for my upcoming court date, and to make better decisions next time I’m faced with similar circumstances.  Thankful for another day.
• Mike– for officers to listen to me, I was in pain and got transferred to another prison where I had emergency surgery for double hernia.  My body still not right, need medical attention and they won’t take me seriously.

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

• Craig– thankful for the hearts of the volunteers coming in to share Jesus with us, for my wife Kay in Georgia with the kids, for my family at large, for strength in the Lord, and for the whole world.
• Martin– for my grandmother, my family, my kids, and a successful recovery from addiction.
• Donovan– that God would strengthen my relationship with my wife and my family, for God to be with me and show me how to make the best of my life, and that I could let His light shine through me.
• Clarence– I pray for the safety and wellbeing of the volunteers and their families, and for all our families, for the guys back on the cell block, and for my case that was pushed to the 4th (I’ve been in the dark for 10 months).
• Logan– thank you God for taking care of my family – my wife and my kids – and I pray for a good outcome of my case.
• Dan T– for a man I know who blames himself for 18 year old son’s suicide since he was rough on him – I pray he accepts Jesus as Lord and savior and can find peace.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We are so thankful to the Lord of the harvest sending more workers into the field – we had one new volunteer join us for the last 2 weeks, and now 4 additional new volunteers joined us last night.  Thank the Lord who always meets our every need in His perfect timing.

• Continued prayers of thanks for our two wonderful chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich – and their faithfulness in spreading hope and the love of Christ throughout the prison to staff, inmates, and their families.  May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire, embolden, and strengthen them every day.

• Prayers of healing and restoration for Pastor Jack Crans who continues to labor for the Lord in many capacities while he contends with late stage cancer.

• Thankful for God’s provision and hand of blessing upon the aftercare ministries in Chester county.  We pray they could reach many women and men in need of consistent accountability and encouragement in the Lord.  May their clients build strongly upon the foundation of Christ to live lives of meaning since their release from prison.

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

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,

If you were fortunate enough to attend the annual Onesimus banquet back in October, you would have heard the testimony of former inmate Pete Zandona on how meaningful it was to him personally when volunteers came into the prison on Christmas day.  He was both honored and impressed by these men who could have been spending that time with their families, yet chose to come into the prison to be with them.  Those men showed the love of Christ by their actions, just like Jesus wants us all to do.  It’s easy to be nice or thoughtful when it’s convenient for us, but it really means something when it takes us out of our routine and we must be intentional.

Well, that same opportunity presented itself in Chester County Prison last night.  Since Christmas was on a Monday this year, the team decided weeks ago that if was OK with the prison, they were coming in just like any other Monday night.  Most of the team was there to worship with and minister to the men who came out for the 7:00pm and 8:30pm services.  We are so thankful for these volunteers and the Christlike example they set.

I pray that when such opportunities come before each of us (and they will), that we would follow our Savior’s selfless example and choose to love by doing what’s best for others instead of what’s most convenient for us.  God loved us so much He sent His only Son to be a sacrifice for our sins, and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  I don’t know if we can possibly match that level of selflessness, but we are to try.

I want to thank Phil for covering prayer time and collecting the prayer requests last night.  I also thank each of you for the love you already show for others through your support of this prison ministry – loving people you don’t know and likely will never meet – just as Jesus wants us to. Your prayers and other means of support are a blessing to many.  May our Heavenly Father pour out blessings upon you and your families this Christmas season, and the whole year through!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Dave: for his significant others, his kids, and for good news on his case on January 3rd.
• Brant: for a single mother and her 7 kids that he knows whose roof leaked recently causing damage to furniture and ruining presents for her children, and for all to have a better year in 2024.
• Angel: for people of the world, for addicts, for his fiancé to get help, for his family, and his brother with kidney disease, and for his dad with the psychological issues he’s dealing with, and for peace, and for those who have his freedom in their hands, and for him to get the help he needs.
• Derrick: for his significant other dealing with tough times, his 9 year old son who is sick, and for his family.
• Nasiem: asked prayer for himself in especially for his faith and for his sin.
• John: for those who don’t know Jesus, to walk closer with him, and for his family and loved ones, and for the homeless.
• Chris: for his girl, Maryanne, in dealing with her addiction, and for him to have patience with her when he sees her destroying herself.
• Steven: for the volunteers, thanks for the Recovery Bible which has been a blessing to him, and for the commissary bag from Trinity Church.

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

• Craig– his wife, Kay, his children and family, and for strength in enduring.
• Martin– for his family, his recovery, for the outcome of his case, and for the volunteers.
• Logan– echoed Martin’s prayers, especially for the volunteers.
• Danny– for his son to stay on the right path, and for his sister who soon will be having her first child.
• John– for his family, and especially for his son.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Let us all lift up families who are missing people this holiday season, whether in prison or having passed away over the previous year.  God’s blessing on those who are missing them dearly.

• Prayers of thankfulness for our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich, their families, and God’s faithfulness to meet their needs both personally and through their ministry to the inmates, staff, and families associated with Chester County Prison.

• Continued prayers of healing and strength for Pastor Jack Crans as he contends with late stage cancer, yet faithfully serves in many capacities through County Corrections Gospel Mission.

• For God’s continued provision and blessing upon aftercare ministries across Chester county- may they have an abundance of what they need to effectively minister to recently released men and women in our community.  And may all their clients rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, that they could re-enter society as responsible citizens and be seen as children of the Most high God.

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 never fails to amaze me, especially as we approach holidays, how so many men in prison pray first for their families, then the other inmates, and lastly for themselves.  It goes against human nature – when we hit tough times we usually default to being consumed with our own situation.  But God’s people are different – even in prison – we do our best to follow the lessons He teaches us in His Word.  Lessons such as love one another, which means putting others first, especially in prayer.

Last night the message I delivered in both services was all about God’s promises through his prophet Isaiah and how so many of those prophecies have already come true.  We looked specifically at Isaiah 9 prophecies of a coming Messiah, and Isaiah 53 of why that Messiah came and what He would do for His people.  For each prophecy we also looked at its fulfillment in New Testament passages. 

The key takeaway was that if we see how so many prophecies came true, why would we doubt the truth of any other prophesies or promises in the Bible?  And if God’s promise of salvation to those who accept his Son as Lord and Savior is true, what holds anyone back from claiming that promise?  I finished by inviting and leading in prayer all those present who wanted to accept God’s promise of forgiveness and salvation.  I believe a few men accepted the invitation and got saved last night (I don’t ask) – Praise God!  I also charged everyone with Jesus’ command in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone”.

As we celebrate our Savior’s first coming and look forward to His return, let me say how much we appreciate all of you and your support of this ministry.  Then men in Chester County Prison consider your prayers a lifeline and are truly grateful that people they don’t even know care enough to lift them up and pray for the things they care about. Thank you for your partnership in prayer, and may God bless you and yours richly this advent season and beyond.

Grace and peace,

Rick

Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

A.C. – prayed to ask Jesus to be her Savior while in here. Left last week heading upstate. Please pray that she continues to walk with the Lord and grow in Him

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

• Dave– for everyone here, my friends, my cell mate, my family, my new significant other, and for the final determination of my case on Jan 3.
• Angel– my fiancé still struggles with drugs/addiction, my brother needs a kidney, my father is 83 and having memory issues, for my sister, my friend back from Hawaii, thankful for the volunteers.  That all of us would have happy holidays, for peace in the world.  For all those struggling with addictions-the situation is really bad out there – people are dying. Also for my probation/retainer situation to get resolved so I can get out and spread God’s word.
• John– for all those out in the cold, homeless, and hungry- to have a blessed Christmas finding shelter and food and the strength of the Lord. For my family, especially my kids and grandkids, and that everyone would worship the Lord in the true meaning of Christmas.  Also that I would get out of here soon to have eye surgery.
• Ross– thanks for everyone in here, and for all the folks struggling during the holidays.  And for my friends in Florida and in Arizona.
• Mark– for those who hurt us- I’m battling with understanding forgiveness right now, help me understand it and forgive the guy who kicked me so hard.  For healing of relationships and help truly understanding gratitude and friendship.  Help me know who I can depend on, I have no family to help me.  Pray for situation with my eyes – can hardly see due to missing one contact lens and the other ripped, and no replacements or glasses- having a rough time with that.
• Kevin– for people struggling with schizophrenia and those caught in darkness.  And for persecuted Christians.
• Steven– all praise, honor and glory to God, thankful for all the volunteers. For all the families of the men in here, and for everyone who supports me.
• Brandt– for all of our families through this holiday season, my Mom lost her house, and we lost our brother last year.

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

• Craig– thanks for the volunteers sharing God’s word with us every week.  For my wife Kay in Georgia with our 2 kids Brianna and Brielle. For all of our families, and for those suffering and those addicted.
• Martin– thankful for volunteers, for my family, my grandmother, and safe travels for my Mom coming into Philly today.  For my full restoration from addiction.  Me and my girlfriend are struggling – please heal that relationship.
• Harry– for all of our families to have a Merry Christmas and joyous season.
• Devon– for my kids, mom, and family.  And for everyone travelling now.
• Rick C– for our brother Phil having back issues.
• Andy L– for the single Mom that lives near me and is completely overwhelmed – pray for her and her decisions about the Dad who shows up but wants nothing to do with the kids.
• Andy D– for my family and our first Christmas without my Mom.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Pray for all the families who have lost loved ones this past year and are approaching this holiday season missing them dearly.

• Ongoing prayers of strength, endurance, and compassion for our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.  May God continue to use them as a light in the darkness of Chester County Prison for all the inmates and staff and their families.

• Please continue to pray for Pastor Jack Crans contending with late stage cancer, yet he continues to faithfully serve in many capacities through County Corrections Gospel Mission.

• For God’s continued provision and blessing upon aftercare ministries across Chester county- may they have an abundance of what they need to effectively minister to recently released men and women in our community.  And may all their clients rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, that they could re-enter society as responsible citizens and be seen as children of the Most high God.

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