Ministry Moment-December

Not long ago I was on my way to visit family and I experienced a situation that can only be described as a divine appointment. It started with talking to the woman across from me on the train, a complete stranger but we struck up a conversation and before the end of the trip I had tears in my eyes, a thoughtful heart, an encouraged spirit and this ministry moment.

Many of you know the story of the apostle Paul and how much of his ministry was actually done in prison. Some of you have also heard of the amazing prison ministries that have been out there over the years, maybe a few of you have even been involved in this type of ministry before, although I admit that I haven't but this story struck me in an amazing way, my hope and prayer is that it might do the same for you.

His name is Matt, and he was nineteen years old when he was arrested for being in the car when a mairjuna deal went from a stupid idea to a deadly tragedy when one kid pulled a gun on another. Matt had stayed in the car and never got out but he was there and with it being just three weeks after Columbine the court was not in his favor. Matt and others with him were sent to prison, that was thirteen years ago and he's still there.

In that time Matt and another man, Leon, have not wasted their time. Like Paul they found a way to be a light in the darkness. It's called Redemption.

Through this incredible ministry inmates go through a program that teaches them from the inside how to live on the outside. They learn skills so they can get jobs when they're released. They're taught how to become responsible community members, good parents to their children, they're even taught how to become members of their churches. As Julie, Matt's mom, put it, they're taught to be the "best person they can be".

Matt's now working on another program so that families of inmates can even get support as they adjust to their new reality. They'll receive help as they learn how to operate in this foreign country they suddenly find themselves in. They will be able to contact others who have been through this and get the help that they so desperately need.

Now this in and of itself is incredible but there's more. Through Redemption they now bring highschoolers in to talk to them about the decisions they face every day. They give them a first hand look at real life.

Redemption has been such a great program they're now sending people out to other prisons in Washington state to set up this program there so that they can reach even more people!

Now I've heard a lot of amazing things in my life, I've read of and even met a lot of amazing people but Matt and Leon are definitely right up there with the best of them. Matt and his family took a hard situation and they've used it to change people's lives, people that many of us would have just written off. But these guys followed the path that God put before them and they are blessing countless people beacuse of it.

Right now there are people working behind the scenes to set up an online presence for Redemption so that even more people can  know about the incredible work that God is doing through these men. As soon as I have that information I'll pass it on and I encourage you to look into, talk about it, and do your own part to help spread the word.

You may not think that this ministry has anything to do with you and maybe it doesn't, but maybe it could help someone you know. Redemption is a ministry making a difference and that deserves to be talked about. Let us do our part to spread the good news of God's word like Matt, Julie and others, whether it's through telling people about Redemption or some other way, let your light shine. You never know who it might reach.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 a situation that can only be described as a divine appointment. It started with talking to the woman across from me on the train, a complete stranger but we struck up a conversation and before the end of the trip I had tears in my eyes, a thoughtful heart, an encouraged spirit and this ministry moment.

Many of you know the story of the apostole Paul and how much of his ministry was actually done in prison. Some of you have also heard of the amazing prison ministries that have been out there over the years, maybe a few of you have even been involved in this type of ministry before, although I admit that I haven't but this story struck me in an amazing way, my hope and prayer is that it might do the same for you.

His name is Matt, and he was nineteen years old when he was arrested for being in the car when a mairjuna deal went from a stupid idea to a deadly tragedy when one kid pulled a gun on another. Matt had stayed in the car and never got out but he was there and with it being just three weeks after Columbine the court was not in his favor. Matt and others with him were sent to prison, that was thirteen years ago and he's still there.

In that time Matt and another man, Leon, have not wasted their time. Like Paul they found a way to be a light in the darkness. It's called Redemption.

Through this incredible ministry inmates go through a program that teaches them from the inside how to live on the outside. They learn skills so they can get jobs when they're released. They're taught how to become responsible community members, good parents to their children, they're even taught how to become members of their churches. As Julie, Matt's mom, put it, they're taught to be the "best person they can be".

Matt's now working on another program so that families of inmates can even get support as they adjust to their new reality. They'll recieve help as they learn how to operate in this foreign country they suddenly find themselves in. They will be able to contact others who have been through this and get the help that they so desperately need.

Now this in and of itself is incredible but there's more. Through Redemption they now bring highschoolers in to talk to them about the decisions they face every day. They give them a first hand look at real life.

Redemption has been such a great program they're now sending people out to other prisons in Washington state to set up this program there so that they can reach even more people!

Now I've heard a lot of amazing things in my life, I've read of and even met a lot of amazing people but Matt and Leon are definitely right up there with the best of them. Matt and his family took a hard situation and they've used it to change people's lives, people that many of us would have just written off. But these guys followed the path that God put before them and they are blessing countless people beacuse of it.

Right now there are people working behind the scenes to set up an online presence for Redemption so that even more people can  know about the incredible work that God is doing through these men. As soon as I have that information I'll pass it on and I encourage you to look into, talk about it, and do your own part to help spread the word.

You may not think that this ministry has anything to do with you and maybe it doesn't, but maybe it could help someone you know. Redemption is a ministry making a difference and that deserves to be talked about. Let us do our part to spread the good news of God's word like Matt, Julie and others, whether it's through telling people about Redemption or some other way, let your light shine. You never know who it might reach.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16