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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We got word that our dear brother Jim Kreider went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning. I can think of no one who embodied prison ministry volunteerism more than Jim. He served at Chester County Prison for over 40 years before advanced age made him stop. Every Monday night he drove 45 minutes from his home in Lancaster county to the prison, served in 2 worship services, then drove 45 minutes home late at night. Early on, that was after a full day at work. Jim also served on the Board of Directors for Onesimus Prison Ministries, and his wife Rozie was secretary for many years.
Jim had such a heart for people. He wanted everyone to know the love and forgiveness of his Savior, and didn’t hesitate to show it. Though soft spoken, he was always the gentleman, and spoke very clearly on his faith. Jim amazed me with his ability to memorize and recite from memory long passages of scripture, like some of the psalms in their entirety.
Jim led the second service on Monday nights as long as I can remember. He led by example, the way good leaders do. Jim always had a smile on his face, and seemed genuinely glad to see you. You felt welcome in his presence. We will miss our dear brother, but will see him again on the other side. I have zero doubt that Jim is now mingling with the prophets and saints who have gone before us, worshipping in the very presence of God.
For now, we can only imagine what that will be like, but we know it will be awesome, and like our Heavenly Father, we want everyone to have that opportunity. Thank you for praying so many into the Kingdom. Our prayers are meaningful, and God delights in them. Thank you for weekly lifting up the chaplains, staff, volunteers, and inmates. Won’t it be great to have people come up to us in heaven and tell us they are there because of us? God bless your week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
PS. – Limited seating, but there’s a few spots left for the Onesimus Benefit Breakfast on Saturday, Feb 28, 9:00am at Waterway Church in Oxford.
Reserve your spot now for a delicious free Breakfast. [click here] for registration and details.
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Shaun– court date on the 5th, pray I can get home after sitting 8 months in here.
- Joseph– please soften the heart of my girl Kelly.
- Dave– my family.
- Joe– my Dad.
- Manuel– my family, and to find out what is going on with my case. My daughter Sofia and my wife Adriana.
- John– my daughter and family.
- Jerron– my fianc? Paige, I got another lawyer – this is the third one. For understanding, comfort, and peace. And for Andy to have peace with what he’s going through.
- Carlos– family, to get a new lawyer.
- Howdie– help me through this ordeal.
- Frank– my case in court next Friday to be dismissed or thrown out.
- Rick– for Roland’s biopsy results to show no cancer, and for God to prepare him and wife Deb for whatever comes next.
- Roland– for each man here to feel the presence of Jesus as they live their life this week.
- Eugene– for all incarcerated men and women, that the Lord would give them a desire for new life.
- Andy– for the Kreider family, especially Rozie with the loss of her husband Jim. Also salvation for my brother Jeff (also dealing with clots) and sister Donna (struggling with cancer).
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Ron– I get out in a few weeks, for my son, stepson, brother, and that we can all get out soon and stay clean.
- Jonathan– court date tomorrow, they offered me a deal Friday, hoping for lighter sentence, wisdom on choosing, asking forgiveness, lifting up loved ones.
- Troy– for everyone here, lots of men have court date soon, pray it goes well. Pray for my wife, we miss each other dearly, my daughter Lexis, and my niece Kilani, and my entire family. My mom passed 12 years ago today. Thankful for some newcomers we invited to church and they came. Pray for those getting out soon that can’t wait to enjoy their families.
- Jermain– court date tomorrow, hopefully get released, need help with anger struggles – asking Lord to help me get rid of it. Also for my fianc? Gwen having migraines, heal her pain, and for my parents and my kids.
- Julius– for everyone in court tomorrow (big day), for my court date next Tue, pray all goes well and my public defender gets me a good deal. Also for my sister-in-law who’s 8 months pregnant to have a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery next month, andthat I’ll be able to see my new nephew. Pray for my brother who won’t because of a ‘no contact’ order on him. Also thanks for strength to keep going after my Dad’s death a year ago this week.
- Jameel– health and freedom, fairness in court- some of us are innocent, we all made mistakes. I need to get back to family, but God is most important and our lives are second.
- Mike– my wife Robin, daughter Hannah, sons Michael and Gavin, and for forgiveness.
- Jim M– my son Jacob doesn’t respond to my calls. Still thankful for Dan’s brother-in-law accepting Christ after we prayed for him over 2 years.
- Chuck– my girlfriend is stressed out thinking about my 3 year sentence. I’m hoping the bus comes tomorrow so I can get this sentence done at state prison. Pray I stay out after this, I’ve done 20 years total in my life and never want to return to prison.
- Brandon– my brother Clarence on F-block gets out next month, for my Dad Earl and my little brother Ricky living in hotels- pray their living situation gets better, and I have court tomorrow.
- Phil T– thanks for Joy and Andrew’s twins finally home from hospital, pray for them being a bit overwhelmed caring for the twins. Thankful my wife healing well from broken collar bone, and grandson Cubby surgery for sleep apnea went well and he’s back home. Pray for all these men to stay engaged in God’s Word when they get out.
- Dan T– for the family of Jim Kreider who passed away last week.
- Ben– for my Dad (Bob) who had his 81st birthday the other day but now is sick, pray for him and the family.
- Jose– for the salvation of all the souls within the Chester County prison complex, and for all men to stay in God’s Word after they leave here.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service):
- John– my Mom, my Son, and my son’s Mom.
- Dave– strength to get through each day, stay positive, and stay away from negative people.
- Daniel– my wife Grace, for safety and warmth, and to be reunited on Thursday morning.
- Justin– for health, my parent’s health, court date on Friday, taking it day by day, wishing for the best.
- Silas– keep my Mom in prayer, my family, and something resolved in my case.
- Jason– spiritual healing, bring down everyone’s anxiety and fears, prayers for my wife and wisdom for her.
- Ryan– for Matt, his son had 10 teeth pulled.
- Dustin– God guide me to understand the Word, keep me safe, keep all of us safe, and cast out evil.
- Matt– for my in-laws Gerald and Cheryl health, my friend Jackie and her Dad (Sarge) in bad health, and prayers for patience.
- Andy– improvements in the system so guys can talk with whom they need to speak.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Thanks for Waterway Church, hosting our 2nd Annual Benefit Breakfast on Feb 28th.
- Chaplain Rhonda, and all female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Heinrich, and all male inmates and staff within his mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy program at Chester County Prison, and for prison leaders within his mission field. Also personal strength and healing from cancer.
- Volunteers ministering to the inmates at Chester County Prison.
- Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Onesimus Ministries board of directors, and provision of some new members.
- 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.
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