Freedom Focus - Support for Prison Ministries

Freedom Focus Volume 12 Number 44

Spring 2011

A Newsletter with information for your partnering with us in

“Proclaiming Freedom for Prisoners”

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Focus on Dennis Nolt, volunteer……..pg 2 Annual Benefit Auction…….…….….pg. 2 Happenings here and there……...…....pg. 3 2011 Focus on Finances….……..…....pg. 3 Director’s Report………………...…..pg. 4 EXIT aftercare group…….……...…...pg. 4

We don’t need to look around us very far to see individuals caught in terrible traps of addictions. Using principles from the Word of God and led by the Holy Spirit that sets people free, “From Addict to Disciple”

classes are active at Lancaster County Prison (LCP). Weekly 2 hour classes are set up for 12 weeks, although a lot of flexibility needs to happen since prisoners come and go in the system. The goal of each class is to be open to the needs of the individual group. Currently, Joe Bird teaches a Wednesday men’s class and spends time inside LCP throughout the week following up on interested persons. Kim Martin also has a Wednesday women’s session, and spends Tuesdays working with women inmates. Kim and Joe do a Wednesday afternoon class at City Gate Center on North Duke Street and Joe is a regular instructor in The Potter’s House program in Leola. A goal for this year is to expand this program, involving more people as teachers

and having more students. Classes include a combination of personal testimonies, good questions and applied Bible truth, woven together in a way that is powerful and life changing. Author David Hain defines: “An addiction is anything that catches persons in a snare – alcohol, drugs, pornography, lust, shopping, over-eating, gambling, etc. that engages them in impulsive or out of control behaviors.” And into that darkness and captivity, the wonderful promise of Jesus breaks through. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. John 8:36.

SFPM Director, Nelson Martin (center), meets with Kim Martin and Joe Bird

KIM MARTIN, lives near Lititz, PA and is active in “Fire Starters” a house fellowship church in Mt. Joy. Our newest chaplain on staff, Kim spends about 10 hours per week inside LCP as chaplain to women. Kim has been on various missions trips and outreaches in many parts of the world. She worked with David Hain for about one year in his addiction classes and counseling. Kim’s

concern is for persons held captive by addictions. She wants to show them that each life has a value (to God and to the person). Kim has a passion “to provide support and discipleship to inmates and those in aftercare. To help them have a fighting chance against the sin that has destroyed their lives.” Kim believes that some of these very needy, broken persons will be the next leaders in our churches, as they find healing and understand the grace of our Lord Jesus. (continued on page 3)

Focus on Volunteers “Volunteers are special and they make a difference”

Chaplain volunteers give about 75 hours per week. This spotlight features these committed persons who share so much inside the prison walls.

DENNIS NOLT is a chaplain to men inmates at LCP. He averages about 7 hours per week, doing Wednesday late afternoon into evening counseling, leading a Monday evening “Life Issues” class and conducting a monthly church service. Dennis has been a steady volunteer for many years and is a faithful friend to inmates. Dennis spent 11 years (1989 – 2000) on chaplain staff at We Care Program in Alabama. He has been active in the We Care January prison crusade and “believes he has only missed one year in the last 30 years.” Dennis and his wife Linda live near Ephrata. They have 4 children and one grandchild. He works for Musselman Lumber in New Holland. The Nolt’s attend Honey Brook Community Church, a congregation that is active in youth outreach and serving needy persons in the community. For the past 9 years Dennis has been meeting with a group of ex-inmates on a biweekly basis doing Bible study and supporting one another. Dennis’ passion is “seeing how God takes rejects and lowly persons from our society and changes them into new, productive persons.”

THANK YOU, DENNIS, FOR YOUR FAITHFUL MINISTRY AT LCP.

Dennis Nolt

Since the SFPM annual auction began in 1984, almost $1.7 million has been contributed to prison ministries.

Check our website’s Annual Auction Pages for more information at www.supportforprisonministries.org

Delicious homemade foods and baked goods available Friday evening and Saturday

Auction services provided by Kline, Kreider and Good Auctioneers

Mark your calendar!! COME TO THE ANNUAL AUCTION

OCTOBER 28 & 29, 2011 FARMERSVILLE AUCTION GROUNDS

Framed pictures Some pictures

made by inmates

Pedal Tractors Theme Baskets

Quilts, afghans, wall hangings

Original 3-D Handcarved Picture by Lorraine Reiff

Many Valuable Gift Certificates from

area businesses for food, lodging,

professional and home services.

$283,000

$45,000

$57,000

$193,047

$101,953

$90,000

Administration, Promotion, Accounting

Expenses Income

Annual Auction

Funding to related ministries from auction

Contributions Needed

Chaplain’s wages, Bibles, Literature, Christian videos, Office Expenses

A self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your gift to partner with SFPM. Thank You!

County contracts for chaplaincy services at LCP and Youth Center

We praise God for many churches, businesses and interested persons who continue to give donations to partner with us. In addition to contributions, we can receive gifts in other ways: donations of stock, real estate, life income plans, bequests and

charitable designations from wills.

2011 Budget: $385,000

(continued from page 1) JOE BIRD, lives in New Danville, PA. Joe grew up in rural Florida and was saved at age 43. Since then, he

has given his life in service to dysfunctional and needy people. Joe and his wife Linda moved to Lancaster in 1994. They operate B.I.R.D. Ministries (Beginning In the Right Direction) and have an aftercare center for ex-inmate women in New Danville. Currently, House of Ruth has housing for 6 women for the purpose of training them in discipleship and life skills. Joe spends up to 15 hours per week in LCP. His commitment to God and down to earth love for people are evidenced in his life. Joe has a passion to “see men and women be set free from captivity as they realize their only hope is in Jesus Christ.” That is a strong

calling that God has put on Joe’s life and he loves to “go for it.”

HAPPENINGS HERE AND THERE

Support for Prison Ministries has had a long connection with the We Care Program in Atmore, Alabama. We Care provides chaplains for many Alabama state prisons. During the January 2011 Prison Crusade week, over 400 musicians, evangelists and volunteers came together in Alabama to minister in 22 prisons. Six of the 10 SFPM board members were part of this crusade, as well as other local chaplains and persons with prison ministry connections.

During the past year, at Lancaster County Prison, SFPM chaplain staff: * Gave out about 2,000 Bibles to inmates

* Distributed 2,800 Bible study courses, of which over 2,300 were completed by inmates

* Scheduled almost 3,000 visits to inmates by area pastors * Handled about 13,000 inmate requests/contacts.

At Youth Intervention Center, a new outreach group has started: X Stream Youth Ministry, led by Jason Klein and Chaplain Joel Bare. The group does interactive team building activites to learn trust, communication, and problem solving skills with the Shelter care residents.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit #1746 Lancaster, PA

17604

P.O. Box 134, Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-0232 Email: [email protected]

Check out our website for updated photos and information: www.supportforprisonministries.org

DIRECTORS REPORT…………...Reflectors of the True Light by Nelson W. Martin, SFPM Director

We are familiar with the teachings of Jesus called the sermon on the mount. Today we continue to be salt and light to a very needy world. Matthew 5:16 – “So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” I was reminded recently that the moon makes no light of its’ own, but reflects light from the sun. One writer said, “Think of the sun as a huge light and the moon as a mirror.” Another commentary said of this verse, “God wants us to be very conspicuous. Be seen by all.” ARE YOU A GOOD REFLECTOR? Note that in Jesus teaching, the good deeds are done by us, but the praise goes to our Father God in heaven. I don’t believe God is as concerned where we go; around the world in mission trips or service projects or pray with or encourage our next door neighbor. The key is that we let the true light keep shining, being active reflectors of the love and light of Jesus.

EXIT (EX-offenders In Transition) SUPPORT GROUP

A weekly support group is active in the Lancaster area. An extension to the ministry done inside Lancaster County Prison, this group meets each Thursday evening, 7 – 8:30 PM, at the First United Methodist Church, located at Duke and Walnut Streets. Currently 28 – 30 persons come each week for a time of Bible study, prayer, snack and fellowship. At a 2010 Christmas dinner, 33 people were served. Elinor Forest led in singing Christmas favorites, Aaron Martin had a meditation, and Larry and Marian Harnly distributed “blessing bags” that were given by the Erb Mennonite Church. EXIT’s mission statement is “Helping ex-offenders, who are now believers in Christ, to be rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith and part of a caring church.” For more information, call (717) 394-1643.