Whoa! 2008!!



"I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my guide."
M. Luther



Angel Tree

Could it be March already? It seems like just a few days ago I was delivering Christmas presents to children whose parents are incarcerated. I want to thank all those involved with this special program! Thank you for sharing Christ's love with a prisoner's child!

 

                  

 

                  

 

                  

Prison Crusade 2008

Volunteers from 25 states and 2 Canadian provinces conducted 74 chapel services in 18 prisons throughout the State of Alabama this past January. Volunteers, including 22 evangelists and 17 music groups, shared the Lord with 7,394 inmates. All total, estimated team hours in prison amounted to 6,210 (the equivalent of one full-time chaplain working 3 years). Lives impacted for eternity? . . . Incalculable! I've enclosed the following comments: January 29, 2008-Holman (maximum security) Team Leader Bob Depew (Zambian Vocal Group and Larry Skrant) - "God is moving in a mighty way. We had 68 inmates in for the service. The spirit of discouragement is lifted (there was an execution scheduled for the following day) and the men are praising God. There were 4 new commitments made and 2 recommitments." January 31, 2008-Fountain Prison, Blaine Copenhaver-"Our last night went excellent, 85 inmates attended the chapel service. Larry Skrant and the Wissman family did a wonderful job. When the altar call was given, many men came forward without hesitation. Thank you, Lord." Dave Landis wrote concerning the service at Fountain, "In my years of prison ministry, I have not witnessed such a powerful Gospel presentation and response."

 

                  

 

                  

 

                  

Pictures above - (Left) Noble Bereans at Holman Maximum Security Prison, Alabama. (Center) Me sharing. (Right) Maximum security maybe, but free indeed!

 

                  

 

                  

 

                  

Pictures above - (Left) Working with the Zambian Vocal Group was a blessing! (Center) Dave Landis, President of We Care. (Right) Leading the morning session.



Closer to Home

I want to welcome Rachel Keim to our staff! Rachel is still in high school, but she has worked for the ministry over her school breaks and will be working during the summer months, as well. She is a blessing and has helped greatly in preparing materials for the numerous prison discipleship courses! I have begun to sing occasssionally (though I'm not a singer!). I discovered I can carry a tune, and I am able to minister in song. Mike Todd of Todd Music Ministry Studios has been a tremendous help to me in this new area of ministry. Thank you Mike! Another new ministry project deals with encouraging men and women on parole to live a changed life. During these sessions, I share with them my testimony and some Biblical application to daily problems. Jay Glauner (Reentry coordinator), Jon Foster (Parole Officer), and Lisa Fernandes (Head of Special Services) took part in the third of many more (I pray) such sessions which may be held throughout the state.

 


Rachel Keim
                  

 


Me in studio
                  

 


Mike Todd
                  

 


Lisa, Me, Jon, and Jay
                  

A Letter of Encouragement

Every now and again, in God's perfect timing, I receive a letter that touches and encourages me in a special way; such is the letter below from a friend who wrote to me in prison and who continues to minister to me today, many years later.

"Hi Dear Brother; So nice to hear from you. It is always a treat to learn all you are doing in ministry. Many of my friends who graduated from the prison scene have gone on to serve the Lord in one way or another. But I haven't heard from anyone who has gone to the uttermost part of the world as you have done and as our Lord instructed us to do in the Great Commission. I know what you would say; you are just following His lead and relying on Him to bring forth fruit. But that is precisely what Jesus was talking about when He said, 'he who abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.' (John 15:5)

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the DVD you sent, Larry, including the music. You say you did the sound track. I take that to mean you were the one singing. You have a nice voice and the song was wonderful. You are like that multi-gifted fellow Jesus talked about who had ten talents. And you are keeping them stirred up, just as Paul urged Timothy to do; 'Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee....' (2 Timothy 1:6)

Your Changed Lives Ministries Newsletter is well done too. It illustrates so well the name of your ministry. The folks in the pictures all seem to be enjoying a genuine walk with the Lord as they participate in the various programs. It must be rewarding for you to see how God is blessing your efforts and indeed, 'changing lives.'

So keep the faith, Larry, and keep on doing the work of ministry to which you have been called. Nothing could be more worthwhile. As Paul writes to the church at Corinth, '...be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' (I Corinthians 15:58)"

His best,
Wil Luce, Pastor Prison Ministry
(Insight for Living)

Thanks, Wil!!