December 2005 - January 2006



"You cannot go on being a good egg forever. You must either hatch or rot."
C. S. Lewis

I'm sure many of you would agree with me when I say, "December couldn't have been busier!" We serve a Mighty God! December 1st I attended a meal at the Bethlehem Inn. That evening I traveled back in time to the night Christ was born thanks to the First Baptist Church of Brunswick. What a great witnessing tool that meal and play is!


December 3rd I finished teaching a 24-week class entitled, "The Walk of Repentance," a study in sexual idolatry at North Central Correctional. Jeff Root and I handed out certificates of completion to 26 inmates who voluntarily gave of their Saturday afternoons so that they might better understand God's plan/purpose for their lives and how they can overcome idolatry by giving their lives to the Lord. I saw men grow during those classes, and I saw hearts changed from self-centered to Christ centered. Only God can do that! What a privilege it was to be a part of that! I want to thank Jeff Root, Floyd Blaine, and Pastor Mark Gostlin for their help and steadfastness.


December 4th inmates at North Central put on a play entitled, "The Trial of John C. Faith." I had participated in this same play six years earlier as an inmate. God is good! The theme of the play is putting a man on trial who is accused of being a Christian. The question is: "Is there enough evidence to convict him?" That's a good question to ask ourselves! I have always believed if you have a heart to serve God, He will use you where you are. Time in prison does not need to be wasted. This night I watched as men, who society had written off as "beyond hope", glorified God! I saw mothers and daughters in tears as they watched their sons or fathers witness of Christ and His love. I saw wounds healed and bridges repaired that were thought to be beyond salvage. I saw men who were thought to be dead walking in newness of life. Only God can do that!


The first week of December, I received a call from Pastor Doug Powell in Milan, Tennessee, informing me a lady I had visited with him during this past summer would soon be undergoing her second surgery for brain cancer. Pastor Powell said he thought she would really appreciate seeing me again. I left for Tennessee on the 6th and returned home the morning of the 14th. During that time I visited with Erika (the lady with cancer), shared my testimony at Brother Powell's church (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Milan, Tennessee), Brother Chad Seller's church (Milledgeville Baptist Church, Milledgeville, Tennessee), and Brother Mike Ulmer's church (Bethlehem Baptist Church, Henderson, Tennessee). Several times I went on visitation with Pastor Powell, and together we ministered to some people in need. Brother Doug loves God's people, and it was a blessing for me to be a small part of that ministry. Erika is home now, but her prognosis is not good. Please pray for her and her family.


December 18th I attended the Christmas program at my church (First Baptist Church of Spencer), What a joy to see our young people doing a Christmas play and to hear our choir singing songs from (among others) Handel's Messiah. Great job!


December 20th and 21st I mailed out over 250 Christmas cards, many to inmates. This year children ages 4 to 7 from Holland, Michigan, took part in a special Sunday school project during which they made Christmas cards for inmates telling of God's love for them. These were well received!


December 22nd and 23rd I delivered gifts for Angel Tree. These gifts are given to children whose parent or parents are incarcerated. It's a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel and the love of Christ to kids who might otherwise be forgotten about during the Christmas season. I want to thank Marilynn Kidd, Pastor Roger Hain, and all those who participated in this program from Grace Bible Church, Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania. What a blessing you are!!! I want to thank Mindy Root and those in our church who were involved, as well as all of you who donated money, including inmate Aaron Salyers, who I had the joy of leading to the Lord this past summer at London Correctional! I can't tell you what a blessing those gifts were! One little girl (age 12) laughed and cried at the same time when I handed her the presents from her "mom." God is good!


Christmas Eve I attended a candle light service at N.C.C.I. Christmas Day I shared my testimony and preached the morning service at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Marion. December 30th I shared my testimony with teenage boys and girls at Stark County Attention Center. Several of them made professions of faith! God is good! People are calling on His Name, lives are being changed, and families are being restored. And now we begin the hope of a New Year. Won't you please help?


Larry Skrant

A ministry for the ages?

Dear Mr. Skrant,
I enjoy reading your letters. I pray for you every night. I hope you're able to lead someone to the Lord."
Sam (Age 8)

Mr. Skrant,
. . . I don't know if it is OK to have a favorite missionary, but if it is OK, you are definitely my favorite!!! Ever since I heard you present your ministry at the church in Pennsylvania I was touched. I thought it was really neat how you got out of jail early and how you became a missionary. That is definitely a miracle from God. And you have made such a change it's hard to imagine. Anyways, I know that God is using you, and I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you. Well, I hope you have a great Christmas and a happy New Year.
Rachel (Age 14)

Dear Larry,
Just a note: We're still listening to the CD 'Changed Lives'… Lucy and I sometimes have trouble sleeping, and it's a blessing to turn on the music softly, and it lulls us to a peaceful sleep. If you remember, I asked you about writing prisoners… My 'ministry' to those incarcerated stems from a desire to get out of my own milquetoast existence and understand some of the 'ravages of a godless society'. It's a risk I know… I just thought you would like to know that your work and testimony has an influence on people for Good. God bless you.
Wes (A grandfather)