My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I’m getting excited that my church is making concerted efforts to reach younger generations with the Gospel message. It’s part of Grace Covenant’s newly revised vision and mission statements, and (in my opinion) a wonderful implementation of the great commission given by Jesus himself to all followers.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)
He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
Discipleship begins with relationships. In this case, intentionally finding common interests and making friends across generational boundaries, and earning the right to be heard by showing first that you care. We must listen without judgement. We all have much to learn, and must humble ourselves to realize that we can learn from both older and younger people in our lives.
Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matthew 21:16b)
Relationships pave the way to trust, discovery, and deep sharing of the things of God – His promises, His commands, The Truth. Our wonderful chaplains in Chester County Prison – Rhonda and Heinrich – do their best in the short time they have with county inmates to establish trust and share the Good News whenever and wherever possible. We should all take a lesson and determine how we too can get engaged in doing the most important work in this life.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to pray and support this prison ministry. God bless you.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:
- V. G. – a sweet young woman struggling with extremely low self-esteem, shame, regrets, and guilt. Pray that God will reform her thoughts about herself to line up with His thoughts about her, and release her from the pit of self-loathing.
- J. E. – grew up in a Christian home; strayed away and now struggling with drug addiction and incarceration.
- T. C. – a young woman dealing with physical and emotional issues, but really seeking to grow closer to God
- S. S. – wrote saying, “I’ve been feeling pretty bad, it’s hard being pregnant in here”.
- Please pray for the growing number of older female inmates (50s, 60s, & 70s) that we are seeing. Whatever it is that’s bringing them here, pray that God will have His way in their lives.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries:
- Blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison – Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich, that they would continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected through the prison.
- That God would soon bring back the ability for inmates to gathering for sharing, study, and worship. And that He would also make a way for volunteers to once again minister in person to inmates within the prison walls of Chester County Prison.
- For religious programming and the work of our chaplains to continue to be held in high regard by prison leadership, and continuance of Heinrich and Rhonda being treated as staff.
- For relief and healing of inmates with illness or infirmity, and peace among the prison population.
- For resolution of staffing issues, politics, and anything else in the way of allowing volunteers back into the prison.
- For God’s promise of His Word to never return void to resonate within the halls of prisons everywhere, that inmates might enjoy a time of spiritual enlightenment like never before.
- Blessings upon prison aftercare programs throughout Chester County – may more churches and organizations sense a call to action, and may more volunteers be drawn into serving our great God by discipling men and women coming out of prison. And may the former inmates within these programs bear Spiritual fruit as they integrate back into society as godly women and men.
Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.