PRISON MINISTRY WORKSHOP –
PRESCOTT, AZThis was the 9th
year we have provided a Prison Ministry Workshop for those attending our
fellowship conference in Prescott, AZ. Our goal is to encourage the
church to answer Jesus’ call “I was in prison and you came unto me.” and
to become involved in jail & prison ministry. (Matt 25:36) We had 82
people in attendance, twice the number we normally have! 17 of those were
ex-convicts!
Our two speakers were both ‘state raised’,
veterans of ‘the system’ – with about 40 years of combined prison time.
Each told of how God had ‘intercepted’ his life and brought him to
repentance. They spoke of what Christ is doing in their lives now – one
is a pastor and the other is going into schools, jails, and prisons to
share the ‘Good News’ of the One who has come to ‘set the captives free’.
These are ‘miracle men’ who have beaten ‘the system’ – 75% of those
released from prison go back within the first three years following
release!
The Workshop went well and people were
challenged, encouraged and equipped to reach the 2.2 million precious
souls we have in the prisons of America. I asked my son, Pastor Joe Rice,
to close in prayer.
During the weeklong conference I was convicted,
repented of attitudes, and God stirred me afresh for the harvest field.
It was great hearing the reports of pastors and missionaries from around
the world! We pledged our personal finances to launch four new churches
overseas and 13 couples to pioneer churches in Canada and America!
CATHERINE SHARE TESTIMONY
I am pleased to announce the addition of
Catherine Share’s testimony to our website, www.manson2jesus. com.
Catherine was one of my crime-partners in the holdup of the Army surplus
store in Hawthorne, CA. She was shot in the chest during the shootout
with police, recovered, was convicted and spent a number of years in
prison.
Excerpt from Catherine’s testimony:
“Compared to the world, I believe there will be a
much higher percentage, if not 100%, of Manson Family members that come to
the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why – God says in His Word “If you seek me
you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart.” If you have sought
in the past, were deceived, but keep on seeking, you will find the True
One. “Therefore, there is no other Name under heaven, given among men, by
which we may be saved.” I didn’t say that, God did.”
‘ALONGSIDE MINISTRIES’
I was asked by my friend Collis Huntington to
speak at the monthly gathering of workers and disciples at his
discipleship training center in Phoenix. Collis and I have been friends
for many years. As the Arizona director of Prison Fellowship, he enabled
me to take the training that qualified me to go into prisons in the state.
We had about 100 people in attendance, many of
whom were ex-convicts. I gave my testimony, challenged them to live for
God, and told them of the long term benefits, i.e. no more prison,
restored families, and a new hope in Jesus Christ. Brian, a former inmate
and graduate of ‘Alongside’, gave a benediction for the group and told how
I had come to his prison bringing the hope and encouragement of the
Gospel. He has been out of prison for three years, is ‘locked in’ to a
local church and is serving God.
Thanks again for your support. We couldn’t do it
without you. Please pray for prisoners and their families.
