Partnering to bring freedom to those who can not free themselves.
'When I was in prison....'
Help Me to Be Free On the Inside
HFM's newest pastor, Bert Eldredge, has helped us launch into the detention facilities in our area.
Bert is one of those guys with a true 'jail ministry' testimony, he was saved while incarcerated himself.
Leading a a team of community volunteer chaplains Bert has seen God using him on the inside in a powerful way. Please read his latest report below. HFM would appreciate you participation in this ministry as we purchase bibles and materials for the inmates on an on-going basis. THANKS! Pastor Don
Bob, Randy, and I have been
slugging away at the jail since August 2008. Every Thursday night.
7 to 11. The Lord has really started to move here in the last three weeks
in a very visible way - like we have not seen in the last 6 months. We
have had close to 30 men get serious about accepting Christ!! We are now
doing an "altar call" every night we are there!
A large number of the men who
have been stead in going to church and Bible study have now become 'inmate
workers'. We are encouraging them to become men of Honor and we are
seeing their behavior reflected in the temperament of the guards as well as in
a change in the 'calmness' of the jail. There is a literal change of
atmosphere! The men have also not had to be in a "lock-down"
since we started. Those come about based on bad behavior in the
men. God is reaching out to these guys and it is wonderful to be on the
front lines to see this happen. Initially we also had to handle the women
who came for study but that too began to grow and we now have a team of lady
pastors in place to minister there.
I send this out so that you
will pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide those men and women into our
churches as they are released, so we all can start building relationships with
them and raise them up as disciples of Christ. In this week alone I have
had several inmates come to me and just breakdown and say, "I know there has
got to be more to life than this..." The reason they come is because the
Holy Spirit is drawing them.
When you're in church this
week - actually, no matter where you are at - look for that person you don't
know. Go to them and welcome them. Find out about them.
Express an interest, a genuine interest. (Everyone can tell a
fake!). Let them know you care about their life because Christ cared
about yours.
I know we all have door greeters
in our churches, but this is not about that. Please, make sure YOU are the
CHURCH, and welcome them.
Welcome the ones whom others
cast out, Jesus did, and they were changed. He is still the same yesterday,
today and tomorrow, and He is here through us.
I love you all and pray God's
ever lasting peace over your lives.
