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To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
After the service last night, I thought about how the men coming out to church on Monday nights receive such a wonderful variety of messages from different perspectives, yet all inspired by God. The first service team members are Christians from various churches, and I like to think we demonstrate how the body of Christ can work together to do God's will, focusing on what unites us, and not the things we may disagree on.
Our most experienced (nice way to say oldest) team member, Andy, gave the message last night. He has seen and been through so much in his life – growing up in Africa, boarding school, world travels, being a pastor, being a hospital chaplain – he can pull from a treasure trove of experiences to demonstrate to the men how God works in the lives of faithful servants. As a man of advanced years, he can also get away with saying things very bluntly that the rest of us could not.
As with all Christians, God has blessed each team member with gifts and abilities, and we are to use them for His glory and to benefit others. I believe we run off the rails any time we think God's blessings are only meant for ourselves. Everything we have is from Him, and He wants us to share it. Our most valuable commodity is time, because we only get so much and that's it. He wants us to share that most of all.
Thank you all for doing just that – sharing your time in prayer for inmates, staff, volunteers, and our families. I truly believe our investment of time for the benefit of others makes God smile. Let's continue to please our Heavenly Father by lifting up the requests below. May His hand of blessing be upon you this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- Brandon– 6 days left before release, I have plans to visit family and have a few options around a job. I'm a little worried about things and hope I make good decisions. [As with most inmates, I urged him to connect with a Bible-preaching church where brothers and sisters in the faith could surround and encourage him, caring for him without expecting something in return (a concern of his), then I prayed Psalm 121 over him. Please pray for Brandon to follow through and watch his language/attitude that get him in trouble].
- Troy– [did not get to meet with Troy this week due to medical appointments for him, but caught up with him at church last night – see below].
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Rick– Praise the Lord for our brother Dan's low PSI reading showing his cancer is undetectable. Prayers for complete healing and that his body tolerates well the ongoing medical treatments.
- Darryl– for my family to be safe out there, my court date coming up 9/2, that I can get out of here before my 65th birthday next month.
- Marcus– freedom.
- Julius– that I can get over to the Work Release Center quickly and get to work, and for my family- all the males are currently in Chester County Prison – may we all find the right path forward and stay out of trouble.
- JD– for my kids and my grandkids who were just evicted from their home – pray they find a new home very soon. Also for the grieving family of a recently released inmate who committed suicide in West Chester.
- Ariel– I was offered a deal of over 6 years but committed no crime, pray for things to go better with my upcoming court date on 9/17. For my family, and all of us in here.
- Troy– for my wife and my kids, my oldest (Stephanie) and her daughter were up from North Carolina to visit, pray they get home safely. I miss my entire family so much. My 11th wedding anniversary just passed, and pray all goes well with court date on 9/1.
- Mike– for my wife Robin and my kids Hannah, Gavin, and Michael, and I ask for forgiveness.
- Ross– for all the churches to come together and support one another. Also for Chaplain Lance Qualmann who is pursuing his call to be mighty in word and deed, but needs $30k more income to realize his dream of fulfilling his destiny.
- Phil T– for a friend Nicole having an operation, and for couples who are trying to conceive, like Thomas and Josie, and Aaron and Ali. Also for my daughter-in-law Hannah, who had a former close friend die suddenly, and is pretty shaken up – may she find peace and may it be a wake-up call to all those affected that life is short and the time to choose Jesus is now.
- Jim M– praise God for 18 men coming out to church tonight, I pray all of us here know Jesus.
- Jose G– for the salvation of all peoples in and around Chester County Prison.
- Erwin J– For wife (Rena) struggling with health issues. And for sister undergoing cancer treatments.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- Rick: Thankful for a good report from our brother, volunteer Bill Harkins, showing no cancer activity. Prayers for continued healing and that his body would react well to ongoing treatments.
- Dave: safety of his family while he’s in prison
- Brett: Protection of his family, and that he would build more healthy relationships in and when he gets out of prison
- Steve: For his child’s mother that God would provide for them, and that he would gain the ability to use his power of attorney to cash checks that his family has
- Bryan: Forgiveness for blasphemy
- Andy: For his brother Jeff and sister Donna that they will come to know Christ
- Troy: For unity for his family
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For all Volunteers ministering within Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and all leaders within CCP, may this ministry continue to find favor with them.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, and her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, and his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, grant them wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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