Podcasts about Prison Fellowship

In this moving sermon, Richard Boonstra from Prison Fellowship shares stories of hope, redemption, and the radical love of Jesus for those society often overlooks. Reflecting on John 4 and his own experiences in prisons across Australia, Richard challenges us to stay weird by following Jesus into uncomfortable places, where the harvest is ripe and lives are being transformed. Tune in to hear how God is working in prisons, and how were all invited to partner in the Kingdom work of rescue, restoration, and redemption. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Our Bible reading today comes from John chapter 4, verses 3442, just after Jesus has been speaking with the Samaritan woman. My food said, Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.Don't you have a saying? It's still four months until harvest?I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields.They are ripe for harvest.Even now, the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.Thus the saying one sows and another reaps is true.I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you've reaped the benefits of their labor.Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.He told me everything I ever did.So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with him.And he stayed two days.And because of his words, many more became believers.They said to the woman, we no longer believe just because of what you said.Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. This is the word of the Lord. Introduction Good morning. Thank you for having me here this morning. my name is Richard Boonstra, and I'm the, the state manager for Victoria for Prison Fellowship. apologies to those who are here at the 8 a.m. service. You're going to hear the same things again, but, it's how it goes. I didn't come to the Ministry of Prison fellowship to work. it hasn't been part of my career. My career is, teaching. So I'm a school teacher and a school principal by trade, and I spent many years teaching and leading in Christian schools. However, in 2016 2017 we moved to Melbourne and I felt the need to just get out of Christian school, out of schooling and do something different. But my my passion for Christian ministry started when I was very young, newly married in in the 1980s, and it all started when I was at a small group, and it was a small group for newly married couples, and our small group leader said, hey, I'm a volunteer with Christian Fellowship, and we've got a workshop at Canning Vale Prison in a couple of months. We need some more volunteers. Who's interested? And I felt something in me just thought, yeah, let's do that. So I put my hand up, said, yeah, I'm interested. And my friend next to me, he said, yep, we'll do it. So we had to wait for a little while until the training day comes, because you don't go into a prison without training. By the time the training day came around and I could get the training done, my friend had dropped off. So it was just me. I still went ahead and did the training and, we completed the training. The day arrived of the workshop. I got in my car, drove down to Canning Vale Prison, which is about a half an hour of where I lived. Got out of the car in the car park, looked at the walls, the razor wire and I thought, what am I doing here? I had that moment where you sometimes have where you think if someone told me that they had to cancel it, I'd be okay with that? No worries. But they didn't. They still went ahead, so I thought. Stop it. Swallow it. Come on. So I went ahead. Went through the doors. Bang! No. Two doors in a prison opened at the same time. And they didn't just bang, bang, lock. Click. That was it. I was in, I couldn't get out if I wanted to. Anyway, I went through to the room where we had the workshop, and I'm sitting here thinking, oh, what am I doing? And, the guys came in and started coming in from the different units of the prison for the seminar, and it was like a fog that just the sun came out and disappeared. All that fear and apprehension just went and I thought, huh, I think this is where I should be. This is my happy place. And I just thought I had the greatest time. I had a great day just sharing with the guys. You know, one of the best things is to talk to them and treat them as people. Not to look at the greens that they were wearing, but to think of them as people and to treat them as people. From there, I straight away signed up to join a team and we went in to, Fremantle Prison. Fremantle Prison, if you don't know it, some of you may have been to Perth, may have been for a tour of Fremantle prison because now a museum and now that it's a museum, probably gives you an idea of what it was like. It was built in 1850s and nothing had changed. There were no toilets in the cell. There was just a bucket. And the cells were made for one two people per cell. It was pretty rough and spartan. We were a team of about 6 or 7 of us. There was myself and my friend from the Reform church. There was a Catholic nun who was with us as well, two salvo guys who probably looked like they came off the ark with Noah, a charismatic Baptist lady and a couple of Anglicans. And we worked so well together. And I thought, this is also what God wants to see people from different denominations working together, sharing the gospel. And that's what we did every Saturday afternoon for about five years. We ran a little chapel service in the prison. So that's my story. And that's why I became passionate about prison fellowship and reaching people in prison. So when we moved to Melbourne, the opportunity came up to work for it. I thought, yes, that would be good. So I did that. A Broken World: The Bad News First I'm going to start off with some bad news. There's good news and bad news. I'll start off with the bad news. We live in a broken world. That's the bad news that we know. And I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you already don't know. Both in and out of prisons, people are broken, and they don't treat each other as they should. They've lost sight of what it means to be truly human. To be living in peace with God and with themselves and with each other and with creation, to find that shalom. People have lost sight of it. But there is now I'm feeling, and we feel that in prisons too, the beginnings of a yearning. Dissatisfied with what the Western cultural mindset has led them to believe or has promised them, is not happening. And so they're looking for something different, looking for a different way of living. But first, I'll just show you some statistics from our prisons. As a slice, as a snapshot of the brokenness in our world, you can see that in the prisons at the moment, there are 6551 people in prison. A little bit up from what it was about a year ago. At the end of December last year, we were below 6000, which was really exciting. And I track these numbers, so I'm keen to see the numbers go down. And that's really because of the Victorian Government, the Department of Justice and Corrections Victoria and the prisons have a much more progressive attitude towards the people in prison. I just went on a tour of Western Plains Correctional Centre, which is a new one, opened up, and constantly the staff are talking about the people in our care. People in our care. They adopt a trauma informed and trauma based approach to caring for the people in prison. They're still there. They need to be there. They know that. But while they're there, let's see if we can help them. So that's really the attitude. But they're competing with the government policy. So the numbers are going up a little bit because of the recent controversies around bail and toughening the laws, the bail laws. So it means more people go to prison instead of go out on bail. So that's where we're at 6500 people in prison. 95% are men, a small proportion of women. But for a woman in prison, it's a lot harder. There's a lot more at stake for families and for kids when mum is in prison. So it's a very different kind of situation and scenario for volunteers going there. 40% are unsentenced. Now this is really interesting because we often think, oh, they're on remand. But when you're on remand, there's so much uncertainty and so much anxiety. What's going to happen? Where am I going to go? Because the remand centre that you're in won't be where you'll stay. You'll be shifted to another prison. Will I have a job when I finish my sentence? What's happening to my family? What about my kids and all this stuff? I've sat with a guy in Melbourne Assessment Prison and just I didn't have to say anything. I just sat with him and let him talk, because he needed to get a lot of stuff off his chest, stuff that was swirling around his mind. And just to have someone listen, who empathetically listened, was important for him. 14% of people in prison are Aboriginal. It's still an imbalance when you measure that against what the percentage of the Victorian population is 1% yet 14% of the prison population. So there's a big difference there. And that's multiplied when you look at places like Northern Territory and Western Australia and Queensland; there's a higher proportion of Aboriginal people. The prison I was visiting in Perth, Fremantle Prison, at one stage we were told there were 80% Aboriginal, and so many of them were Aboriginal people who came from way up north in the more cultural tribal areas, and they were in there for driving offences, which was crazy. But because of mandatory sentencing and things like that, they straightaway went to prison and it was nuts. So it was really great to minister to them, because they were lovely people to minister to and share with, and especially when we got Aboriginal volunteers to come in with us as well. That was fantastic. 60% that's gone up now 60% of people will return to prison within two years. So that's a statistic we want to hopefully drive down. If you measure that over ten years, it goes to 80%. 80% of people will return to prison. That's how hard it is, once you've been in prison, to shake that experience off and to make a life outside of prison. I met a guy in prison in Perth who was released, and about six months later he was back again. His name was Hynes. It was a long time ago, so it won't matter. But I said, Hynes, what happened? Why are you back? He said, where else can I go? He said, here I have a bed and three meals; out there, he had nothing. And that was sad that he could the only place he could go was just commit a crime and go back in again. A statistic that's not up there, but is 25% of people in prison come from 2% of Victorian postcodes. So there's a correlation. And the prison staff and the police call them prison collection areas. That's what they colloquially call them because they get so many people there. 66% of people in prison were in care or were adopted as kids. So that's where this whole idea of being trauma informed comes in. A high proportion of people and that's the same percentage of people have a mental health issue in prison as well, whether it be ADHD or all sorts of different stuff happening in their life. So there's trauma. Now, we say that doesn't absolve them of the responsibility for their actions. They still need to suffer the consequences for their crime and for what they've done. But at the same time, we help to understand them and help helps to understand their background, to help them to rehabilitate. So in all of this brokenness, we sense a yearning. We're sensing that more so now a yearning for something different. My life isn't going well the way it is. I want something different. And in a sense, it's the yearning for that shalom a yearning to be truly human again. To find that place where I'm free of guilt and maybe free of that endless cycle of offending and re-offending, offending and re-offending. But now for the good news. The Bible tells us that God was not happy with this situation. Back in Genesis 3, he already started that plan he took God took the initiative to sort it out, to fix it. He took the initiative and promised to restore all things. To restore our relationships with him. To restore our relationship with each other, and to restore our relationship with creation. This is the Kingdom of God. He stepped into our world himself in the person of Jesus. He entered our world, and through Jesus he initiated the Kingdom of God. Jesus initiated it. And at the end of Matthew you can read where he said, I'm going back, but I want you to keep going. I want you to keep growing it. The Kingdom of God was initiated by Jesus. Jesus entered our world and demonstrated showed us what a citizen of this new kingdom looked like. He deliberately reached out to the marginalized, the downtrodden, the oppressed and the imprisoned, the forgotten or invisible people. And then, through his death and resurrection, he opened up the way to restored relationships with God, with each other, and with creation. Jesus reached out to the ones that everyone else thought were weird. He went places where people thought, that's not it's weird to go there. He came to rescue, restore and redeem and then to call us to put our faith in him, to discover freedom the freedom of being released from sin and guilt and to find our true selves as God's children. One of the key things I say to people when I go into prison, when I sit down with guys in prison, is I am just as much a sinner as you are. Just because you're in prison and I'm not doesn't make me any worse or better than you. In fact, I don't use the word prisoner, because I don't define you by where you are. You're a person someone who God created. And so I see that. I see you that way. And I want you to know that I was in darkness, and I needed to find the light, and I did, and I found hope, and I found love, and I found what it means to be truly human. And I want to share that with you. So we approach people in prison with a sense of humility not coming in as the great white savior, but coming in as a humble person who has found hope and wants to share it. And so we see a little example of Jesus modeling that kind of way of reaching people. In John 4, we read from John 4 verses 34 to 42. But just a little bit of background about it where this happened was in Samaria. Wait, what is a good Jewish rabbi doing in Samaria? That was weird. He, Jesus led the way of being weird. He showed what it meant to be to be going to weird places. He and he deliberately did that. He chose to go that way. Now he's on his way from Jerusalem to go back to Galilee the place where he based his ministry in Galilee was strategic for him, but that's another story. But he diverted, and he went through Samaria. Wow. I'm sure his disciples must have thought, what are you doing? Why are we going this way? Do you know where you are? This is Samaria. But Jesus knew what he was doing. Jesus never did anything by accident nothing was a coincidence in Jesus' ministry. So he had a plan. He had an appointment. This was no coincidence. All along he planned to meet this woman at the well. That's just before this passage that we read it's the woman at the well passage. Who was she? A Samaritan that black mark; a woman black mark for the Jewish rabbis at least. Anyway, also she was regarded as a woman of ill repute. We don't know exactly what her story was, but chances are that a lot of that wasn't her own fault that she was a victim of a very patriarchal society where she was passed from man to man through no fault of her own, just because of that patriarchal mentality. Regardless of that, we know that she was one of the people that nobody wanted she was one of the weird ones, if you like, because she could only get water at midday. No one else was allowed to be with she wasn't allowed to be with anyone else. She could only get water from the well at midday. And so what does Jesus do? I love this. He comes up to this well. She probably sees him, but she just knows she better keep her head down and get on with what she's doing. And he speaks to her. And what does he say? Can I could you get me a drink of water? Whoa! She stops and looks said, did you just speak to me? What men don't talk to her, let alone Jewish men. And she just can't deal with it what's going on here? He asked for a drink of water. In one sentence, in a beautiful way, he reached out to her, treated her like a human being treated her normally and said, can you get me a drink of water? Well, it it worked, because it arrested her attention. She got him a drink of water, and then she engages in this long conversation with him during which he, in a beautiful way, teases out her life and gets down to the nitty-gritty of what's going on in her life. You can read the story for yourself later, but there's so much stuff that he's dealing with there. But needless short story short long story short, he loved her and she couldn't escape from it. She didn't want to escape from it. And he restores her gently so much so that she drops her water bottle and runs back to tell everyone in the town where she lives what has just happened. It's like suddenly she's been made new and she's been loved and cared for, and she sees a glimpse of what it means to be truly human. Why didn't she run away from him? I told the story in the first service in Brazil, in South America, and a few other countries now too, there are these prisons called humane prisons they're run on Christian principles. They're run by Christians. These prisons have no walls or fences. The inmates look after the keys and lock up the gates at night. It's amazing it's astounding. They have regularly Christian courses like Alpha running throughout the prison all different things happening. They have families come in families can come and visit and stay for the weekend with their loved one, like a conjugal visit. And they were interviewing one guy who was there, and he had been a notorious inmate he had escaped from lots of different prisons. And they got this guy and said we'll call him John John, you've escaped from all these other prisons. This one would be easy to escape from there's no walls, no fences. Why don't you escape? And you know what he said? Nobody escapes from love. Why would I want to leave there, he says. Here, in this prison, I'm loved. I'm cared for. Someone took the time to love me. And so why he's willing wants to stay there. Above the door going into one of the main prisons is, here enters the man; the crime stays outside. And I love that thought. So she, like this man, doesn't want to escape from him. She sits down and talks to Jesus, and then he opens her eyes. And incredibly, he does something towards the end of his conversation and I think this is significant. Here is this Samaritan woman so-to-say ill repute woman and Jesus says she says, who are you? He says, I am the Messiah. He discloses to her. And I believe for me, it's one of the first times he actually honestly, clearly says I am the Messiah I am he. And who does he do that to? A woman a Samaritan woman a woman who has a bad reputation. I think that's significant. That's weird in the eyes of the world that's weird. You know, if the Messiah was coming, you'd think he'd announce it to all the important rabbis and bishops or whatever. But no he chooses this woman, because many other times people sort of work it out are you the one? he says, don't tell anyone. But here he says it openly to her. Anyway, the disciples of which they come he's gone ahead, and they come and find him. And the disciples you've got to imagine, the disciples are just young; many of them are still in their teenage years and they come up to Jesus and Jesus, can we keep going? This is not a place for a good Jewish boy to be this is Samaria. They were thinking, if our parents saw us here right now, we'd be in so much trouble. But instead, they mutter amongst themselves and they finally work up the courage to go to Jesus and said, Jesus, you need some lunch. Should we go into the town and get you some food? I'm sure many times Jesus rolls his eyes. And then he says, my food is to do the will of him who sent me. And he says this sort of sort of a almost a bit of a cryptic way: my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Food the word food in Hebrew can also mean calling in life. So is he saying my calling in life? You're worried about food and bread and stuff like that, but I'm thinking, what is your calling in life? What are you here to do? He says, I'm here to do the will of my Father who sent me sent me to finish his work. And then he goes on and says, don't you have a saying, it's still four months until harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the harvest. Look at the fields it's there, ripe for the harvest. Even now, the one who who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying, one sows and another reaps is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you've reaped the benefits of their labor. What's he saying here? He's saying to his disciples, that's what we're here for we're here we're called to bring in the kingdom, to share the good news, to share hope, to rescue. Open your eyes, guys it's time for the harvest, it's right now, it's right in front of you. So he teaches his disciples, as a good rabbi would. Rabbis didn't have classrooms they wandered around the country and they looked at something and they said, see that tree over there? Let me tell you something about that, and then they drew a lesson from that. So now the disciples are saying, you want some food? Sit down I'm going to teach you about what this food thing is all about. And I'm going to teach you why we're here today. We came here for a reason I want you to see something. So he says, open your eyes I've come here because there is a harvest here; people are really keen to hear the good news, and we'll find that out in a minute. The time to get harvesting is now. But then the really cool bit of this bit I like as well is towards the end remember, it's not just up to you; it's a partnership. One sows, another reaps, another packs the harvest up, another fertilizes, another waters it's a teamwork thing. And that's very much so for the ministry that we have at Prison Fellowship it's a team thing, it's a partnership. Deep Creek Anglican is very much one of our partners we are incredibly thankful, incredibly thankful for this church, for the way that you partner with us and walk alongside us and help us to do the work the kingdom work of sharing the gospel in prisons. So thank you for the amazing work that you partner with us in doing. It's like you're going in with us even though you're not physically there, you're going with us into prison and we thank you for that. Jesus looked at this woman and saw someone who was ready to hear the gospel and to be redeemed and restored. The impact of her story and I think this is amazing if you look at verses 39 to 42, this woman has gone back and dropped her water bottle and ran into town. And that's no small thing I said to someone, and I said to the group in the earlier congregation, it's like leaving your phone at home and realizing you've got it it's that essential; it's like an important object. But she this was so important, she just forgot everything else and went and told the people in her village. Let's read the passage again. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.He told me everything I ever did.So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them. And he stayed two days.And because of his words, many more became believers.They said to the woman, we no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man is really, really is the Savior of the world. What a testimony. Have a think about what that would have been like she, being the woman she was, had to go back to her village. Now, that wouldn't have been easy to tell people about what has just happened to her. They've got a they've got an attitude towards her; they judge her. So she has persisted she's pushed through all of that attitude to finally get some to hear. And so they said, okay, we'll come and have a look. And when they come there, they're just amazed they're touched by him by Jesus as well. And Jesus stays for two days, and there's a two-day-long Bible college Bible study. They sit down wow that's like the first church planted in Samaria. That's weird that's weird. Think about it you grow up thinking that Samaria is one of those people, and that's where Jesus goes. I love it, I think it's amazing. And that's exactly what Jesus models for us to do to get out there into places where people think is weird. Jesus came to rescue, restore and and redeem the rejected, the marginalized, and the invisible people prisoners. To many in society, this is weird. I've gone a little bit behind here we are. Mark 2 verse 17 is one of my favorite verses in prison ministries as well. We use this in one of our programs. Here, Jesus clearly says who he's come for. He's talking to the Pharisees. He says he didn't come to those who think they're right.I've come for those who know that they're wrong.People that know they need to be restored and they need to be healed. But look at the word the favorite word in that passage for me, and I'll share this with the guys in prison when I share this passage with them is the word call. It doesn't say I have not come to force the righteous, but sinners, or I have not come to push the righteous, but sinners, or I have not come to drag all these words he says I've come to call a gentle but honest word, I've come to call the sinners. Jesus comes to call. And I say to the guys in prison, he came to call you. And what does call mean? That means a response is needed. So you need to think what you need to do with this are you going to respond to this call when Jesus calls you? Are you going to say, yes, I'm going to come in here because he's not going to force he's not going to push you or twist your arm or anything. He comes to gently but persistently call, and he'll keep calling. And we keep having an opportunity a choice to make a decision. Can you hear that call today? Many of us here today have have heard that call and have come to Jesus, experiencing his love and being constantly restored. Are you ready to go out and bring in the harvest? Remember the three points. The harvest is right in front of us. The harvest time is now. It's a partnership. We believe with Augustine, who first said, every saint has a past. Sorry every saint has a past; every sinner has a future. I read that again. Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future. We want to share that the call of Jesus that we first responded to, the love that conquered us. We want others to hear that call and to discover God's love, joy, hope, and his rest. We have a harvest field in our prisons it's right here. It's not overseas; it's right here in our town and our city, and it's calling for people to come to join the harvest. Caring for Prisoners: Ministry in Action I'm going to show you a little video now. It'll give you a bit of an idea of our ministry. In this cell. Your biggest enemy is time you drown in a sea of it. And you think? And think. In those first days, my mind drifted to what was happening outside. It's Wednesday. You know. I wonder what my wife is doing. What projects are the guys working on? Is anyone talking about me? Or have they all just moved on? Their remorse and regret are constant companions. Over and over again, you remember that you've stuffed your life up. Reputation, family, friends, colleagues all lost in the blink of an eye, and the guilt of the hurt you've caused is like a heavy weight that stays on your shoulders. I'll admit, there were days when I felt that all hope all reason to continue had gone. I'll never forget the first time I was visited by Greg. I remember thinking it was strange that someone I'd never met wanted to come and talk to me. Up until then, I'd gotten pretty used to people wanting to distance themselves from me. In prison, you do everything you can not to draw attention to yourself. Don't tell jokes. Don't tell your story. Don't look people in the eye. But here in these chairs I could talk, I could laugh. I could share my regrets and talk openly about my failures. And it was met with kindness and friendship. Greg told me about himself. And in doing so, he told me about Jesus. I later learned that close to a thousand volunteers men and women are visiting prisoners, running programs, playing sports, and leading Bible studies through Prison Fellowship. Prisoners like me have been profoundly impacted by this ministry. Through it, we've grown in character. We've taken responsibility. We've built self-control, and we've expressed repentance. We've come to understand grace and forgiveness. And hope is powerful it brings life and light to your soul. I found hope here, and it grew within me. I learned dependence. I learned to pray really pray. I found myself with a peace that was totally at odds with my harsh and miserable situation. The gap between prison and the real world beyond the gates can be very daunting. You're asking the big questions again: how can I stay out for good this time? Is there anyone who can help me? Will I get a job? Can I restore those relationships? To have Greg and the others from Prison Fellowship to be there to help me bridge that gap was everything. All. Inmates are just like everyone else. They need purpose. They need grace. They need healing. They need someone to offer hope. That gives you a bit of an idea of what we do as a ministry. (It) covers most of the activities that our volunteers do in prison. The prison itself is not an active prison anymore the one in the film but it's a little bit like Fremantle Prison was like, very rough; lots of sandstone walls and barbed wire and bars. It wasn't a very pleasant place. This year has been going well for us as a ministry, in that we've had lots of good opportunities to get into prisons. There's still some prisons we've struggled to get into, but we're working on that. We've been able to serve, sharing love and friendship and ultimately the good news of the gospel and God's gracious love with people in prison. We also serve families who have a parent in prison or children who have a parent in prison, and often the families serve a social sentence themselves, which is very hard for them. So our key thing is visiting in prison. We have our volunteers go in and just be a presence we call it sometimes a ministry of presence just sitting there with guys and being prepared to share the hope that they have with people in prison when that opportunity comes up. But many times it's just someone to chat to to develop a friendship with. We have The Prisoner's Journey, which is an eight-week gospel course based on Christianity Explored but written from a prison perspective. So it's very successful and very well received by the prisons and by the men themselves. We have another course called Change on the Inside, which is not Christian-based, but it's on developing positive character. We also have our annual Easter Biscuit Bake, which I'm I'm told Deep Creek is a part of as well. So thank you for sharing in that and enabling people in prison to get a bag of home-baked biscuits with a gospel card at Easter, telling them the true meaning of Easter. And the impact of a biscuit on a person's life is amazing I've given them out to people in prison, and I've looked a guy in the eye who said, are these for me? I said, yeah. He said, I can't believe people would do this for me. So it has such a deep impact you'd think, just a biscuit but it certainly has a deep impact. A little thing goes a long way. We have a children's ministry or families ministry we call it Extraordinary Lives and in Victoria we do three things. We engage in one-on-one mentoring. Children with a parent in prison are six times more likely to go to prison themselves. So if we can have a mentor for them a younger person, a young adult who could walk with them, commit to spending time with them and share with them then we hope to change that statistic. I spoke with a grandmother on the phone who said, it's really hard she's a grandma, she's looking after the kids because mum can't have them and dad's in jail (or sometimes it's both mum and dad are in jail). He can't talk to anyone at school about it. He can't talk to his teachers about it. Just me. He needs someone to talk to. And so that's where a mentor comes in and can be that person he can talk to. We also have camps. We're running one residential camp, but also we have some day camps some day-outs. Churches host families, and the kids have a day together just doing some fun things like a Lego day, or we've taken them to Bounce or to the zoo or something like that and just help them have a good time and hope. The idea is to develop relationships and ultimately to get a mentor relationship happening. And then we do the Angel Tree campaign, which I'm told Deep Creek was a part of a few years ago. But you're more than welcome to join us this year in our Angel Tree campaign. This is a program where we facilitate the giving of Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison on behalf of their parent. So the person in prison fills a form in, writes down the name of their child and what they like and their age. We then send it out to churches who purchase the gifts and deliver them to the families. And again, like the biscuits, it's the little thing it's not so much about the gift, but it's all about connecting keeping families connected. So we get every year messages back saying, I can't believe my dad didn't forget about me that's great! Or my mum still remembered me and got me a present for Christmas and that's significant, that's special. So Angel Tree is a really good program it's a big program; it takes a lot of work, but we look for lots of churches to support us in that. We do a little bit of work in post-release as well. As people come out of prison I'd love to develop that further we do pick up people on the day of release and walk with them a little bit just in that first day, but we'd like to expand that if we can. People coming out of jail need at least two years of mentoring, and a home. They need a job, and they need mentoring. God is very active in our prisons and wants us to join him in furthering the work that he has started. But we can't do this on our own we know that. And just like Jesus shared in that passage we read, it is a partnership. We walk together with others with individuals and with churches. Churches like Deep Creek Anglican that walk with us in this journey and help us to achieve the things we can to spread the kingdom into prisons. Partnering in the Harvest So my challenge to you is, will you partner with us in that individually as well? And there's three things that you can do for that. Pray. Prayer is foundational for us. We have a prayer meeting every Monday morning on Zoom, and I put out a weekly prayer diary. We need people to pray for the ministry on a regular basis. Someone said to me once, Richard, the kingdom of God moves at the speed of prayer. And so please sign up if you want to get a prayer diary. There's a sheet on the back table there that I've got there that you can sign up to get a prayer door if you'd like to join us. Each week we put some prayer needs in there. Support Us Financially. Perhaps you're willing to support us financially. Maybe you're willing to make that sacrifice and to give as Deep Creek Anglican do that so well support us. But maybe as an individual, you want to support us by providing financial support. We offer everything we offer to the prisoners for free. We don't get any money back from our government funding it's all based on donations. Go as a Volunteer. To go and see that harvest field, to go and be one of the harvesters, to bring in that harvest in partnership with with many people from other different churches. One of the things we're initiating as well, in Victoria and across the country, is to have restoration hubs. We often have people come out of prison who have become Christians in prison, but need to be discipled when they come out. When they come out, one of the many challenges they face besides getting into society is to find a church that will be open and receptive. So we're looking to establish a network of churches across the country who would be willing to take in and look after someone from prison. It's a challenge, and it takes a lot of extra work. There's a lot of thinking that needs to go around that how do we handle that, with all the policies and child-safe policies and everything that goes with that? But it's still a commitment for a church to commit to us and to join with us as one of our restoration hub churches to support us. Deep Creek are already an amazing supporter for us. And so in many senses of the word, there is a restoration hub here already and we are thankful to Deep Creek for that. I'll be available at the end of the service, and if you want to come and chat with me more about the ministry, please feel free to ask any questions there. Prison Fellowship is a faith-based, for-impact organization seeking to grow the Kingdom of God that Jesus initiated 2000 years ago. Thanks for having me today.

One of the blessings of CR is partnering with incredible ministries like Prison Fellowship's "Angel Tree." In this episode, Rodney Holmstrom, Global Field Director of Celebrate Recovery, interviews John Brennan of Prison Fellowship to help us understand the incredible blessings of partnering with Angel Tree and loving the kids of the incarcerated. Learn how to get involved in this world changing ministry!

Ever feel like your past is holding you back as a dad? You're not alone—and you're not disqualified. This week, we sit down with a very special guest and new friend of the show, Sammy Perez. He's a husband, father of four, and national voice for second chances through his work at Prison Fellowship. Sammy's story is raw and real. From time behind bars to meeting Jesus in a prison cell and even finding his own father figure, his testimony will move you, but what God has done in his life since then and the work that has been done in his family is where the real story begins. We talk about: What it means to father with grace instead of guilt Why humility is a dad's greatest strength Breaking generational cycles (even if you were never shown how) The kind of legacy Jesus can build from failure Whether you grew up with the wrong role models—or none at all—this episode is a hope-filled reminder that it's never too late to begin again. Whenever you feel like life is running you over and it seems impossible that God could use you any more, soak in this reminder from Sammy: "I was created for more than this." This one is for the dad who feels disqualified. God's not done with you, even if there are times you might feel like you're done with him.   Check out more of Sammy's story here Learn about Sammy's work with Prison Fellowship here   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Join the Fatherhood Guard as a monthly donor: https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon  Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events. He's authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Uovkiigw4gwWhat if the thing that nearly destroyed you… became the thing God used to heal others?In this raw and redemptive episode, Jerrad sits down with Sammy Perez, a man who grew up without a dad, entered the system at age 8, and spent much of his early life in prison. But that's not where the story ends. Through a prison cellmate, an unexpected visitation, and the unlikely love of a spiritual father, Sammy's life was completely turned around.Together, they talk about father wounds, the ache for belonging, how prison both broke and saved him, and the long road to healing as a man and dad. Sammy shares the tear-filled moment he gave his life to Jesus behind bars, the first time he saw his son through glass, and how God turned his pain into purpose.This is one of the most powerful stories we've ever told.What You'll Learn:Why boys without dads often become men without directionHow shame disconnects us from our story and how healing reconnects usThe surprising moment Sammy met his son for the first timeWhat it looks like to father when you were never fatheredHow a consistent man named Terry changed everythingWhy God's love can rewire even the hardest heartsThe full-circle moment that brought Sammy back into prisons… this time with purposeMentioned in This Episode:Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree ProgramSammy's work helping former prisoners reintegrate into societyThe story of Clarence; the cellmate who wouldn't stop asking Sammy if he wanted to know JesusJerrad's teaching on 2 Kings 6 and the power of new perspective

In 1988, Ben Spencer was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. He spent 34 years wrongfully imprisoned. Now, Ben has teamed up with award-winning journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty to share his story – and larger story about the flaws in the legal system that allow mistakes to occur, and how some states are trying to fix them.Conversation was moderated by Scott Peyton, director of government affairs at Prison Fellowship.Support the show

68-year-old Allan Charles Gibson shot his wife at their Traralgon home in the early hours of April 14, 2016. He then tried to take his own life, but failed. Police arrested Gibson and tried him for murder. His defence team argued he was suffering from dementia and argued the court ought to take his mental condition into consideration. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements, we go into the courtoom to discover if the court believed Gibson's dementia was a contributing factor in the murder of his wife. A warning: this episode includes mention of self harm. If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textOn today's podcast conversation I sat down with Jermaine Wilson of Prison Fellowship. Jermaine spent seven years behind bars—four of them as a juvenile. While incarcerated as an adult, he participated in biblically based programs through Prison Fellowship and experienced the life-transforming power of God's Word. With renewed purpose and vision, Jermaine no longer saw himself as a failure and a mistake.After his release from prison, Jermaine created a nonprofit organization, Unity in the Community, to establish trust between citizens and law enforcement. When his criminal record was expunged, he increased his political and civic involvement. In 2017, he was elected city commissioner for Leavenworth, Kansas. In 2020, he became the first formerly incarcerated person to serve on the Kansas Sentencing Committee.Jermaine is an ordained minister, husband, and father of five children.To learn more visit: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/Support The Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110664/subscribe Build your own local Tribe with Tribe Builder: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/tribe-builderRegister for our 2025 Fall Men's Retreat: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/2025-mens-retreatRegister for Tribe XVI starting June 1st: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/tribe-xviThis podcast is sponsored by Dark Water Woodwork. Dark Water Woodwork is offering a discount code exclusively for the podcast listeners. Use the discount code "PSALM824" to save 15% off of your next beard oil purchase. https://www.darkwaterkc.comSupport the show

What up, Beasts. This conversation with Rob Lohman cracked me wide open in the best way. Rob's story is one of redemption, resilience, and raw honesty, and it hits deep. From battling addiction and suicidal ideation to rediscovering his faith and building a new life rooted in purpose, Rob doesn't just talk about recovery, he lives it. He shares the moment God told him, “You're done,” and the weight of that literal and metaphorical barbell he nearly let end it all. Instead, Rob chose to fight. To feel. To recover. And now he helps others do the same through his coaching, podcasting, and deeply personal work in the addiction recovery world.We also get into the messy middle of healing, how guilt, shame, and insecurity linger even after the substances are gone, and how movement, connection, and calling things like scars and spider veins by name (shoutout to Fred) can help us reclaim our power. Rob reminds us that recovery isn't a checkbox. It's a way of life. A decision we make every single day. This episode is packed with hard truths, grace-filled wisdom, and that signature blend of faith and grit that makes Rob who he is. If you're in the middle of the mess, this one's for you.As always, I hope something lands with you today. I hope something you hear tugs at your heart strings and/or I hope you laugh.Bio: From the depths of addiction and incarceration to thriving as a dynamic speaker and entrepreneur, Rob Lohman is a powerful example of redemption and resilience. Sober since 2001, Rob uses his story of addiction, suicide ideation, prison, and ultimate transformation to inspire others through keynote speaking, coaching, interventions, and advocacy. He's the founder of ChristianRehabServices.com, RecoveryBrick.com, and RobLohmanSpeaks.com, and the host of Beyond the Bars Radio and Addiction, Freedom & Faith podcasts. Rob has been featured in Podcast Magazine, Authority Magazine, and Prison Fellowship's Inside Journal, and he continues to empower individuals and organizations to break free from life's darkest challenges and live with purpose and faith.Music by Prymary: Sean Entrikin (my hot husband) on guitar, Chris Quirarte on drums, Smiley Sean on keyboards, Rob Young on bass, and Jaxon Duane on vocals.Connect with Rob!Websites: www.ChristianRehabServices.comRobLohmanSpeaks.comRecoveryBrick.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RobLohmanLiftedFromTheRut/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roblohman_lifted/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlohman/ Where can you find me?Linktree: https://linktr.ee/beautifulbeastwithinstudiosTired of battling your body? What if food felt easy, movement felt good, and your worth had nothing to do with a number?I help people break free from the cycle of diets, guilt, and shame so they can feel at home in their bodies again. No more rules. No more punishment. Just support, compassion, and a path toward peace.Curious what that could look like for you? Book a free, no-pressure chat and let's talk about it.https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/exploration-chat-schedulingAffiliate LinksBreakthrough Coaching Certification: https://coachseansmith.ontraport.net/t?orid=27037&opid=43Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=1118d2Mary Kay: https://www.marykay.com/kaitienoelleUnveil the Beautiful Beast Within YOU!Zoom Background:By Behr

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we finished the week discussing identity in Christ. As followers of Christ, we cannot conform to the expectations and culture of the world; our identities are found in Him. We turned to John 14:6, which affirms that, as it says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father without going through Him. We also turned to 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul tells us that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, our identities should align with Him. Jon Kelly also shared his testimony on finding his new identity in Christ. Pastor Kelly is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church. He is also an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute. We also had Heather Rice Minus join us to discuss prison ministry. Heather is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and families. She also works to deepen church partnerships with prison ministries. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Heather Rice-MinusMinistry: Prison MinistryPosition: President & CEOTopic: with April being commemorated as "Second Chance Month," she discussed the Christian principles by which Prison Fellowship operatesWebsite: prisonfellowship.org

Guest: Heather Rice-MinusMinistry: Prison MinistryPosition: President & CEOTopic: with April being commemorated as "Second Chance Month," she discussed the Christian principles by which Prison Fellowship operatesWebsite: prisonfellowship.org

The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Friday on South Carolina's attempt to stop Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood. Geneticists are promoting frightening plans to create babies to specifications. And gambling on sports continues to grow, leaving problems in its wake. Recommendations NYT: This baby was carefully selected as an embryo. ADF: Supreme Court to Hear Case About States' Funding of Abortion Facilities Segment 1 - States Try to Stop Medicaid Payments for Abortion FOX: Who is Stephanie Turner? Women's fencer who knelt to protest trans opponent and ignited global awareness ADF: Planned Parenthood Does Not Deserve Your Tax Dollars Segment 2 - Designer Babies NYT: This baby was carefully selected as an embryo. CBS: "What kind of society do you want to live in?": Inside the country where Down syndrome is disappearing First Things: Who Owns the Embryos? CNN: Gosnell horror fuels fight for abortion laws Breakpoint: Inventors of CRISPR Win Nobel Prize, but Should We “Rewrite the Code of Life?” Segment 3 - The Sports Gambling Crisis WORLD: Gambling scandals hover over college and pro basketball __________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. Register for the next Lighthouse Voices: The Christian's Guide to this 'Civilizational Moment' at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

Loose laws for in vitro fertilization have allowed for appalling assaults on human rights.  ______________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

President Trump threatens to defund Planned Parenthood. Will it happen? And scientists suggest growing human bodies to be used for body parts.    Recommendations Become a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/monthly The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett Segment 1 - Defunding Planned Parenthood WSJ: Trump Administration Plans to Freeze Family-Planning Grants Sean McDowell: Heating up! The Current Debate Over Abortion Rights (w/ Lila Rose) Lila Rose: Best Arguments for Christianity w/Dr ‪Sean McDowell‬ | The Lila Rose Show E195 Breakpoint: David Daleiden's Courage, Planned Parenthood's Deceit Planned Parenthood admits staffer 'inadvertently' gave kids graphic coloring books in Louisville Segment 2 - Ethics of “Bodyoids"  MIT Tech Review: Ethically sourced “spare” human bodies could revolutionize medicine Breakpoint: The Late, Great Stem-Cell Debate __________ Register for the next Breakpoint Forum on A New Sexual Revolution at colsoncenter.org/greenville. Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

Cultural fads are flashes in the pan because the future belongs to Christ alone.  __________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

For the nearly 200,000 incarcerated women in the United States, this Women's History Month may not feel like a cause for celebration or empowerment. For so many women, they feel a deep-rooted shame around their past mistakes. Heather Rice-Minus is President and CEO of Prison Fellowship. She has dedicated her life to serving those behind bars, shares about their struggles and how the Church is called to step in to help. The story of Jesus provides a different identity for these women, and you have the opportunity to share that story.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wmbwSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psalm 103 says, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." Wednesday on Mornings with Eric and Brigitte, Jermaine Wilson will share how his life was redeemed and how Jesus can do the same for you. Jermaine now serves as a mission ambassador with Prison Fellowship. Prison FellowshipDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wrmbSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore how focusing on what truly matters can revolutionize your life. Join me, Jesse Cope, as we navigate the profound importance of prioritizing faith, family, and marriage. Imagine a life where genuine connections take precedence over the ever-present digital distractions. Through heartfelt gratitude and candid discussions, we uncover the transformative power that comes with consistent communication with God and the ones we love. Using the analogy of rocks, pebbles, and sand, we highlight the need to focus on the significant aspects of life to achieve balance and fulfillment every day.With insights drawn from Proverbs 20, we delve into the themes of integrity and responsibility. Hear the compelling story of a Navy SEAL who demonstrates that true strength often lies in avoiding unnecessary conflict. Throughout this episode, we stress the value of trustworthy conduct and expose the pitfalls of deceit, urging listeners to seek wisdom and live with integrity. You'll discover how loyalty, truth, and righteousness preserve our honor, encouraging us to consistently align our actions with our values.Finally, we explore the path to spiritual rehabilitation through confession and forgiveness, drawing wisdom from biblical teachings and the profound reflections of Charles Coulson. This episode emphasizes the necessity of seeking forgiveness and aligning our souls with God, highlighting the importance of actions over words. As we conclude, we extend a heartfelt blessing to you, your families, and your marriages, reminding everyone of the broader spiritual and communal aspects of faith. Join us on this journey to discover how prioritizing what's truly important can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious life.Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

Guest: Andy CorleyMinistry: Prison Fellowship InternationalPosition: CEOTopic: an update on the effectiveness of the ministry around the world, including its impact on recidivism rates and prison cultureWebsite: pfi.org

Guest: Andy CorleyMinistry: Prison Fellowship InternationalPosition: CEOTopic: an update on the effectiveness of the ministry around the world, including its impact on recidivism rates and prison cultureWebsite: pfi.org

Prison is a hard place. But the pain of prison extends beyond concrete walls and barbed wire fences.According to Prison Fellowship, over 1.5 million kids have an incarcerated parent. Around 92% of them are fathers.That's a sad statistic. It means that hundreds of thousands of boys are growing up without a dad. All boys need a proper role model to guide, encourage, and love them.Break the cycle. Be active in your son's life or be “dad-like” in an organization that serves boys who don't have the influence of a godly father. In this way, you demonstrate that God's Word contains truth and guidance on how to navigate the pathway of life.For tips and resources on parenting boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

To shop Black Rifle Coffee go to https://blackriflecoffeecompany.pxf.io/c/2437772/1731898/20131 for up to 30% off site wide when using code: SOUZA To check out PBR for yourself go to https://www.pbr.com & use code: BUCK to save 25% select seats in select markets. To try Delete Me for yourself go to http://www.JoinDeleteMe.com/GSL and use code: GSL to get 20% off consumer all plans. Prison Fellowship/Angel Tree: To provide a gift , a handwritten note from a parent & a Bible through Prison Fellowship this holiday season for just $30 go to http://www.angeltree.org/NWOS or text GIFT to 717767 Our Vlog Channel https://www.youtube.com/goodsimpleliving To see more find us on https://www.facebook.com/goodsimpleliving Mailing Address: Good Simple Living 7167 1st ST PO Box 546 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0546 For business Inquiries: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.com Paypal Address: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Don't allow circumstances you were born in to dictate the outcome of your life." From the time he was young, Mayor Jermaine Wilson had big ambitions. But the environment he grew up in led him into a life of crime -- one that would land him in juvenile corrections for four years and in prison for three. However, through fatherhood, finding faith, and an uplifting prison fellowship program, Jermaine turned his life around. Jermaine shares how you can help support children and families of incarcerated people this holiday season through the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship program: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree/  Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To shop Black Rifle Coffee go to https://blackriflecoffeecompany.pxf.io/c/2437772/1731898/20131 for up to 30% off site wide when using code: SOUZA Thanks to Ozlo for partnering with our channel! To get the best sleep of your life, go to https://www.ozlosleep.com/NWOS and use our code NWOS for $10 off your Ozlo Sleepbuds To try Delete Me for yourself go to http://www.JoinDeleteMe.com/GSL and use code: GSL to get 20% off consumer all plans. Prison Fellowship/Angel Tree: To provide a gift , a handwritten note from a parent & a Bible through Prison Fellowship this holiday season for just $30 go to http://www.angeltree.org/NWOS or text GIFT to 717767 Our Vlog Channel https://www.youtube.com/goodsimpleliving To see more find us on https://www.facebook.com/goodsimpleliving Mailing Address: Good Simple Living 7167 1st ST PO Box 546 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0546 For business Inquiries: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.com Paypal Address: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of drug addiction, losing custody of her children, and cycling in and out of prison, Sheaveal hit rock bottom. One night, convinced she’d die from an overdose, she prayed to God. The next morning, she woke up knowing she had been saved. That same day, she was arrested and spent five and a half years in prison. There, through Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program, Sheaveal reconnected with her children and began rebuilding her family. Today, she works with Angel Tree to help other families heal. You can be a part of bringing joy to children this Christmas. Deliver a present, the Gospel, and a message of love for a child with a parent in prison by going to Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wgnbSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Thursday, December 12, 2024 In the second hour, Kerby speaks with Sammy Perez about the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree. To conclude, Kerby will share today's stories from a biblical point of view. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/pointofviewradio and on Twitter @PointofViewRTS with your opinions or comments. Looking for just the Highlights? Follow us on […]

Christmas can be especially difficult for children with an incarcerated parent. Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program is one way the community and the church can unite to make Christmas brighter for these children. On Thursday's show, Lazaro Lopez will join Seth and Deb to talk about the impact of the Angel Tree program and how churches and individuals can be involved in this life-changing program!Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wdlmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To shop Black Rifle Coffee go to https://blackriflecoffeecompany.pxf.io/c/2437772/1731898/20131 for up to 30% off site wide. Thanks to Ozlo for partnering with our channel! To get the best sleep of your life, go to https://www.ozlosleep.com/NWOS and use our code NWOS for $10 off your Ozlo Sleepbuds Give the gift of luxury this holiday season at https://www.cozyearth.com/NWOS and use our code NWOS to save up to 40% off CozyEarth Prison Fellowship/Angel Tree: To provide a gift , a handwritten note from a parent & a Bible through Prison Fellowship this holiday season for just $30 go to http://www.angeltree.org/NWOS or text GIFT to 717767 Mailing Address: Good Simple Living 7167 1st ST PO Box 546 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0546 For business Inquiries: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.com Paypal Address: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly violence dishonors the innate, God-given dignity of all people and brings grave loss to families and communities. In this Friday Forum in partnership with Prison Fellowship, a panel of experts in criminal justice joined us to discuss how policymakers both on Capitol Hill and in the states should act to reforms that prioritize violence reduction, proportional punishment, and rehabilitation.Support the show

Daily Wire Offer: Go to http://GetDWPlus.com/NWOS right now to get 50% off your annual membership (This is their biggest savings of the year!) Prison Fellowship/Angel Tree: To provide a gift , a handwritten note from a parent & a Bible through Prison Fellowship this holiday season for just $30 go to http://www.angeltree.org/NWOS or text GIFT to 717767 Home Title Lock offer: Did you know your home could be stolen right out from under you without you even knowing? Don't leave your biggest investment vulnerable to fraud -secure it today with Home Title Lock! Get 30 days Free when you sign up using promo code: NWOS at http://www.hometitlelock.com/NWOS For more info on Homestead Film & TV series - http://www.homestead.tv To pre-order tickets& enter the $300K Homestead Giveaway - share.angel.com/NWOS Our 2nd Channel / @newworldoldsoulpodcast To see more find us on facebook / goodsimpleliving And / goodsimpleliving Mailing Address: Good Simple Living 7167 1st ST PO Box 546 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0546 For business Inquiries: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.com Paypal Address: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While crime and incarceration can negatively impact families, communities, and relationships all across the country, it's important that we as citizens don't turn our backs on those who've been imprisoned. President and CEO of Prison Fellowship Heather Rice-Minus reflects on the important history of the nonprofit organization and details its incredible advocacy work within the criminal justice system. Later, she shares how listeners can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by incarceration. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@fox.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To provide a gift, a handwritten note from a parent & a bible through Prison Fellowship this holiday season for just $30 go to http://www.angeltree.org/NWOS Or text code: text GIFT to 717767 Daily Wire Plus Offer: Go to http://GetDWPlus.com/NWOS right now to get 50% off your annual membership (This is their biggest savings of the year!) To try Delete Me for yourself go to http://www.JoinDeleteMe.com/GSL and use code: GSL to get 20% off consumer all plans. Our Vlog Channel https://www.youtube.com/goodsimpleliving To see more find us on https://www.facebook.com/goodsimpleliving Mailing Address: Good Simple Living 7167 1st ST PO Box 546 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0546 For business Inquiries: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.com Paypal Address: goodsimpleliving@hotmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off a new theme, "Untangled," and we dove into Hebrews 12:1-2. How can we "throw off" the tangles that come from our families of origin? Karl took us to Alaska for a fishing story, and he revealed his own parents' untangling from their families of origin. He also answered some listener questions in our "Ask Pastor Karl" segment. Finally, we talked with Betsy Wright, the senior director of Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree Every Day. This ministry promotes year-round engagement and support for Angel Tree families by offering ideas, resources, and encouragement to local churches. Check out the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that women are the fastest-growing population in prison? Ever wondered why? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into this critical issue and more with Martha Ackerman and Stephanie Segel, the founders of Create: New Beginnings. This transformative program harnesses the power of artistic expression to help incarcerated women confront the challenges that led them behind bars. The impact of Create: New Beginnings is profound. Participants can even have their sentences reduced through their engagement in this life-changing initiative, affiliated with Prison Fellowship. As Martha and Stephanie share inspiring stories of adversity, vulnerability, and healing, we are reminded that everyone has the potential to create a new beginning. Through a series of restorative, art-based workshops, women explore themes of shame, self-doubt, empathy, and forgiveness in a supportive, faith-based environment. By engaging in painting and other creative arts, these women delve into core issues of identity and purpose, reimagining their futures with newfound hope. Since 2019, Create: New Beginnings has engaged over 140 volunteers and Prison Fellowship staff, serving more than 2,400 women across 20 states, from Alaska to Florida. With 50 active workshops reaching over 800 women each week, they are also partnering with the Salvation Army in 10 of their Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Don't miss this powerful conversation! Subscribe to stay updated on our latest episodes and be inspired by extraordinary journeys of resilience and hope. Be sure to follow the Crazy Amazing Humans podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Hit subscribe to get notified about new episodes, and please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Don't forget to join our newsletter for exclusive updates, and follow us on Instagram for inspirational content between episodes!

When the Church shows up to say, “I'm here with you.” __________ Register for the upcoming Breakpoint Forum at colsoncenter.org/forum. 

 Author and Speaker Dennis Tinsman Shares about his time with Prison Fellowship a Chuck Colson Ministry. You'll enjoy hearing the heartwarming stories of how God is able to heal inmates and areas affected by horrific tragedy. Dennis Tinsman Books https://a.co/d/d7C5D1O https://a.co/d/8dyPVqj Get some Swag Gear at https://www.tripleplaylife.com Brookes Bible College https://www.brookes.edu/ Resource One Advisors https:// www.RS1A.com CS Design https://csdesign.online Ask Ralph - Christian FinanceJoin financial expert Ralph Estep, Jr - Daily tips for balancing your faith and finances. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.

Join us this week of Chapin's Commute! In this episode, we talk to Cody Wilde about Transformation. This is the seventh and final one in our podcast series with members of Prison Fellowship. We get to explore different stories with people and how transformation has impacted their lives and those around them. If you are interested in more about Prison Fellowship, follow this link: https://www.prisonfellowship.org

Thursday, July 18, 2024 Dr. Merrill (Buddy) Matthews hosts today's show and it's an excellent one. Buddy's next guest is Cody Wilde. As the Senior VP of Correctional Programs, Cody brings us information on Prison Fellowship. Today's final guest is Bunni Pounds. She's back on the show with exciting news about Christians Engaged. Connect with […]

Join us this week of Chapin's Commute! In this episode, we talk to Terry Martinez about Transformation. This is the sixth of many in our podcast series with members of Prison Fellowship. We get to explore different stories with people and how transformation has impacted their lives and those around them. If you are interested in more about Prison Fellowship, follow this link: https://www.prisonfellowship.org

Many assume prison is the last place to encounter God. But He is powerfully at work there through His people, both inside and out, fulfilling the promise to “proclaim liberty to the captives” and “set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Heather Rice-Minus, CEO of Prison Fellowship, has witnessed this firsthand in her work for prison reform and restorative justice. She joins Sarah to share the remarkable ways God is working today to redeem and restore people in the prison system.          Prison Fellowship https://www.prisonfellowship.org/  My Final Word: Holding Tight to the Issues that Matter Most by Charles Colson   Registration is now open for the Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview, on Thursday, July 25 at 7pm Eastern. I'll be joined by author and apologist Alisa Childers, and Ryan Bomberger of the Radiance Foundation. Our topic is “Truth and Its Counterfeits: Discerning the Lies that Take People Captive.”  Have you ever felt pressure to affirm unbiblical ideas in the name of “love” or “social justice?” Truly loving our neighbors means refusing to compromise God's Word. To help us do that, Alisa Childers and Ryan Bomberger will join me for an important discussion on how Christians can pursue truth and love, even when it's challenging. This event is free, and you can attend in-person in Bay Harbor, Michigan, or online via livestream. Register today at greatlakessymposium.org.  The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women  Join Strong Women on Social Media:   https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/  https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/  https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc 

Join us this week of Chapin's Commute! In this episode, we talk to Terry Martinez about Transformation. This is the fifth of many in our podcast series with members of Prison Fellowship. We get to explore different stories with people and how transformation has impacted their lives and those around them. If you are interested in more about Prison Fellowship, follow this link: https://www.prisonfellowship.org

God is at work in one of the unlikeliest places on the planet…the American Prison System!  Lives are being transformed and rebuilt! If you or a loved one is serving time, hope is ahead! Heather Rice-Manus, head of Prison Fellowship, joins Chris Brooks with first-hand stories of new life behind bars!

Today's episode highlights the work that is being done by Christians for the incarcerated. Heather sits down with the first female president of Prison Fellowship, Heather Rice Minus and discusses what work still needs to be done outside of prisons, and in our communities, to help incarcerated individuals transition after serving their sentence.  During today's episode Heather also provides an update on Viral Jesus and requests your prayer for the future of the show. Guest Bio Heather Rice Minus is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship. Host Bio Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I'll See You Tomorrow and It's Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heather's weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7pm EST; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices