One of the great joys in the ministry is for us to receive letters from kids in lock-up from around the country. It is such an amazing way to get to minister to kids we are not directly in touch with. Several years ago we put together a book of testimonies from kids called, A Way Out and a few years later a daily reading with writings from kids in lock-up called, Doing Time with God. We have printed and distributed more than 100,000 of two little books, and they continue to be used to bring hope to kids everywhere.
Here are a few excerpts from some of the letters we have received:
…I’m doing time in the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center. They said I’m looking at five years minimum. At first I was really scared, but then I started going to Bible Study and found God. I asked Him to come into my life and help me get on the right track. I want to follow Him. Your books are great. They’ve inspired me to keep my faith in God and I feel like I need as much help as I can get. I’m only 16 and I would like to live the rest of my life with Jesus’ help. I’m so glad other kids have told their stories. I could really connect with some of them because I was involved with a local gang…
…I am currently incarcerated in Mississippi. I have been reading your book, “A Way Out,” and the stories have really touched me…
…I’ve been doing better lately since I’ve been reading the Bible and the books you sent me. I am so grateful. Reading your letters and books is bringing out feelings in me that I haven’t had for a long time – and didn’t think I would ever be able to show. I finally have someone who cares for me, and I have something to care about.
We have received thousands of such letters from youth in lock-up over the past 20 years. We are currently putting some of them together in another book called, “I’ve Got a Question.”
As you remember this new book, pray that we can raise the funds needed to print the initial 10,000. And pray that God would use it for His glory, as He has the other two books.
June 24, 2010 at 10:34 am
Recently I was speaking at a local church regarding the needs we have for Bible study leaders in lock-up facilities in their area. While there I met a member of the Gideons, who thought they could be of help. They graciously decided to donate Bibles to the boys at a particular facility north of Boston. A few weeks ago I met two representatives from the Gideons and together, we distributed Bibles to 16 teenage boys at a Department of Youth Services facility.
The Assistant Director of the facility gave us all the time we wanted to share from God’s Word to the boys. We presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited the young men to consider it for themselves. We had a time of prayer and as we were about to leave one of the boys asked, “Are you guys coming back next week?”
Sadly, our answer was, “No.” The facility is so far away from the three of us that none of us can make a commitment to do the study ourselves. Our ministry that day was a one-time deal. In the meantime I told the boys that I am committed to finding people who will lead them in a Bible study each week, and I asked them to pray with me that God would bring people to them to do this.
It is the desire of their hearts to hear God’s Message. Knowing that the heart of God is to give them His Message, I am convinced He will make a way. These are young men who are hungry for the Word and in desperate need of someone to lead them and teach them God’s Truth. They are even asking for it themselves! They may be “criminals,” but mostly they are sinners, like I was, in need of the Savior.
Please join me, and these boys, in prayer for a Bible study of their own.
June 11, 2010 at 8:52 am
