[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When you hear someone professing something you know is untrue, what do you do? If you’re like most people, you ignore it and/or walk away. What if it’s about faith and someone is trying to teach heresies and falsehoods to new believers and young Christians? Do you shy away and avoid confrontation? or stand up for your faith?
We faced that dilemma in first service at prison last night. During testimony time, when inmates are given a chance to talk about what God is doing in their life, a muslim inmate began to preach how all religious books have truth and the Quran held secret truths about Jesus that aren’t in the Bible. As he spoke of Jesus’ cousin Muhammed, the son of Isaac, He was asked to sit down and be quiet because it’s not true, and when he persisted, was removed from the service. Not an easy thing to deal with, especially in front of a crowd of 14 other inmates.
I think Jesus’ words flashed into all volunteer minds, from Matthew 10:32-33 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” James 3 tells us teachers of the Word are held to higher account. Teachers must speak truth and protect the vulnerable as best we can from falsehoods. Upon the exit of our muslim friend, we assured remaining inmates that his removal was done for their benefit, for Jesus himself said in John 14.6 “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
What would you have done? Does silence count as a denial? We had to depend on boldness through the Holy Spirit, promised in Mt 10.19 and Lk 12.11, trusting He will give us the words (and He did). As we pray for the inmates and their requests below, please also pray that episode is remembered in a positive light. Thank you for your ongoing support and boldness in prayer for these men and their families. God bless your week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Sean– I have court on the 20th, praying for summary judgement. Don’t have the best relationship with my brother or other family members.
- Christian– court date on the 21st, praying for some good news.
- Manuel– my family and friends, my wife Adriana and my daughter Sofia.
- Frank– thankful that Mom is feeling better, pray I can get a hold of my probation officer- it’s been impossible so far.
- James– I finally found forgiveness in my heart towards my wife. I pray my wife and kids can find forgiveness in their hearts for me.
- Andy D– for Sean and his family on the loss of their Mom.
- Roland D– for court dates to hold and not be delayed further, and may Jesus walk with each man through the process.
- Eugene C– healing and peace, particularly for our nation.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Ron– upcoming court date Thursday, my cellmate who just got out today, for everyone in here, for my brother, and that I’d be out soon.
- Corey– I have court on the 20th, and for my family.
- Abdul (James)– that we never stop seeking knowledge and that we all find the truth. [This request is especially poignant since James was asked to leave the service during testimony time when he began preaching about Islam. We pray James will find the real Truth in Jesus Christ]
- Zier– I was approved for work release, I hope many more of us can get over to the work release center. I have 5 months left, and pray for my family.
- Bob– for the safety of my daughter Alexis (20) who’s a freshman at West Virginia University, also for my son Robert, for my kid’s wellbeing since their Mom passed away in 2014, and thankful for the volunteers coming out.
- Troy– for my family, my wife, my daughters, my son in California, and I have court on the 21st.
- John– for my Mom who is 85, and for the guys back on the block.
- Jonathan– my grandmother, my grandfather, and my kids Riley and Kaitlan.
- Brandon– for my family, brother Clarence on E-block, my Dad on Q-block, half the family is in here.
- Jim M– for everyone in the prison system – inmates and employees – to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Jose G– all in the prison to be saved.
- Mike– my family, wife Robin, Daughter Hannah, Sons Michael and Gavin, and forgiveness.
- Erwin– my sister battling cancer.
- Brian– for this time away from my significant other to be a blessing to both of us.
- Phil T– for Joy and her husband and the preemie twins going through many trials of health issues – wholeness and healing for Josie and Ellie, and peace for Mom and Dad. Also thankfulness for my daughter Morgan in her 10th week and has 1st OB appointment Friday – may she have a normal, full-term pregnancy with baby and Mom staying healthy and safe.
- Dan T– my brother-in-law who is not saved and dodges all my attempts to talk about the Gospel, may he and all our family members no walking with the Lord come to know the Truth and be set free.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Joseph– my release.
- Mike– keep my wife safe while I’m here.
- Troy L– my wife Caroline is traveling for a week, safe trip and return home, volunteer Bill’s health.
- Dustin– pray for real and true justice.
- Paul– my wife Brianna lost her grandfather last week, peace and comfort for family.
- Thomas– get time served for violation of probation, God continue to open my heart as I move along with this journey, restored relationships and be reunited with my son Noah..
- Daniel– favorable outcome for my wife Grace- her court date is on 1/26, for my release on 2/19
- Jason– my 2 court dates in February, reunited with my wife Jennifer, inmate Steve (I heard something bad happened).
- Charwan– my wife Brenda, wisdom and understanding.
- Vincent– health and patience for my 93 year old mother while I’m in here, court this Thursday, my release.
- Ryan S– wisdom/discernment regarding future opportunities.
- Andy D– call to prayer for our nation on Wednesday @ noon.
- Matt R– Gerald and Cheryl’s health, Sarah’s health as she battles breast cancer.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplain Rhonda, and the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Heinrich, and the male inmates and staff within his mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy program at Chester County Prison, and for inmates and prison leaders within his mission field. Also personal strength and healing from cancer.
- Onesimus Ministries board of directors, and provision of a few new members.
- Volunteers ministering to male and female inmates at Chester County Prison.
- Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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.
