It was July 2003 when I first volunteered in a prison ministry to serve at Cook County Jail through Willow Creek. In July 2004 the call to serve was confirmed through prayer and my 1st visit to the infamous Angola prison in Louisiana. I was like a racehorse anxious to get in the starting gate to begin the race but God kept me in the back lots to train and equip me. Then in December 2005 while serving in Danville Correctional Center on a New Years Eve weekend God revealed to me my first glimpse of His vision and mission He had planned for me. It came while reading 2 Timothy about the Soldier's call and his character. I asked God, "Is this what you want me to do?". The reply was "Yes, I want those who are in prison to become Soldiers of Christ."
As I look back over what God has accomplished through SOCPM since my first visit to Angola I see a truly awesome God using me in ways that I could never have imagined. God has used SOCPM for His call in 19 Illinois Department of Correctional facilities and 5 Illinois county facilities.
- Shared Christmas Carols and cookies
- Distributed over a thousands of pieces of literature through cell by cell visits
- Shared the gospel, one on one, with 100+ men
- Signed up hundreds of moms and dads for the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program
- Formed informal and formal partnerships with small inner-city ministries and large national and international ministries to provide resources for the incarcerated and services for after incarceration
- Given certificates in recognition of completion
- 76 men in SOCPM's Renewing Fatherhood
- 46 men in SOCPM's Discipleship 101
- 419 men in New Life Corrections Transforming Incarcerated Dads
- Facilitated a team of volunteers in grading 10,000+ Bible lessons since 2008
- Most recently mentored a man in a county jail
- Honored to be named Volunteer of the year at Sheridan Correctional Center.
God willing, the remainder of 2012 will allow another 80 men to participate in Renewing Fatherhood and 20 - 40 men in Discipleship 101. I am planning the implementation of a new SOCPM 'Christian Primer' to teach men how to interpret and study the Bible, have fruitful and confident prayer lives, how to share their faith. I will continue to volunteer with New Life Corrections in teaching "Transforming Incarcerated Dads" in seven IDOC facilities and continue to facilitate the grading of Bible study lessons. It is my prayer God will use SOCPM to mentor additional men in county jails.
God has opened a new door for SOCPM. I've begun the steps to begin discipleship of another inmate. I will be ordained in August allowing me more opportunities to provide one on one discipleship.
Romans 12:1-2 says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.". This scripture has been the life verse of SOCPM and is shared to SOCPM students countless times. It is my hope and prayer that, by Gods grace, the men will live out that verse and will indeed become Soldiers of Christ.
It is only through the grace of God, His blessing of my lovely bride Michelle, encouragement of friends, Redeemer Fellowship church, and the prayer and financial support of ministry partners this was all possible. I thank you from depths of my soul and heart for all of you.
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