Some might be incredulous to discover one recipient of five years worth of care, volunteer renovations and monetary support is no more than a rundown retail place–a conglomerate of many different building additions and remodels. Our chapel boasts five different floor levels and lame structural angles sufficient to frustrate the most patient carpenter. Yet, somehow it’s always seemed the perfect atmosphere for hearing and believing the radical promises of regeneration God offers to lives just as deteriorate. In fact, after this many years of prayer and faith, visitors often comment that the old place seems sacred and even beautiful.
What we know is sacred is the unity and truth felt and heard among God’s people.
Sunday morning services begin at 10:30. Wednesday evening service is at 7:30, followed by a sit down meal.
There are more than ten brothers in our group, dedicated to regular prison ministry. These ten take turns going in as groups of three or four each week. Some may wander if such time and care is worth spending on such a troubled segment of society. While I respect the concern that we distribute our limited resources responsibly, we must also recall that the great apostle Paul, who gave us two thirds of the New Testament, was himself an accessory to a crime fit to land a man behind bars for life in this day.
Would you be struck as I was that first time I entered a prison to minister, with the realization that these men, these sons, these husbands, these fathers carried on their back crimes that, when lifted by the hand of God, weighed no more than the “lesser” sins of that had once been tied to my own back? For my sins, merciful clemency was wrought. With this amazon grace in mind, we strive to give more than cheap word to the inmates. Our aim is to sincerely display the powerful reality of God’s Spirit as stronger than the vise of any vice. We rejoice less over jailhouse professions and focus instead on the visible obedience of real faith. We now have as part of our team those who once sat in chains themselves but who have overcome and born fruits of life for many years.
Our relationship with Teen Challenge began almost two years ago when a close friend asked if we would go visit his son in the Azel TC center. None of us could have foreseen at the time the extent of what God had up His sleeve. While we’ve surely met with disappointment, we are encouraged to witness a growing momentum of fruitfulness. Our efforts are not limited to Azel but extend to more than half a dozen centers around Texas (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston, etc.) Nothing could be more rewarding then to watch as doubtful cynics encounter, believe and claim the real, living truth that is capable of setting any captive free. As a team of just under 20, we bus up to north Fort Worth once a month to sing, worship and share the word of life with these men. In addition to our monthly visits, we also hire and host about 6 of the students for two days out of every week at the Heritage Restorations Company. This two day visit includes participation in several church activities as well as fellowship with strong Christians, anxious to support the student. Not only do the moneys they earned at Heritage Restorations by the men help support their center, but more importantly, this is a chance for the students to be trained in a valuable skill as they work under and develop relationships with honest, reliable men. Such weekly trips are a merit based privilege, providing incentive for good behavior among the student body.
After a student has graduated the 13 month TC course, if he so desires, we provide him with lodging, vocation and continued educational training in a still supportive environment for as long as needed. We are engaged in this program with at least 7 men currently.
We are pleased to announce that we will soon close on a new property where we plan to build a student dorm and education center. The 15 acres of land currently accommodates one home, has good pasture land and boasts a pond in need of repair. We dream of the day when rehabilitated students may grown their food, raise animals and live life new on at this center. We invite you to contribute any amount to the foundation supporting these ventures.
Coming soon
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