April 23, 2014
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Dear Friends,
Christians all over the world celebrated Easter this past Sunday—it’s one of those years when the Eastern and Western Church calendars match up. Now that’s over, so life returns to the way it was before Good Friday, right? Here in Southern California, most school districts still have their spring breaks the week before Easter. Thus on Easter Monday, everyone’s back to school and work—and back to normal.
It’s almost as if it never happened. When I stopped by Walmart Monday afternoon, all the Easter candy and bunnies and accoutrements had already been taken away to make room for the next season’s bargains.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, reminds us that although Easter Day may be over, the event celebrated that day—Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead—should be always on our minds. He writes, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Cor 15:17) So let’s celebrate the resurrection again this next Sunday, shall we? And every Sunday after that, too. And every other day, too—because in Christ shall all be made alive!
In my February letter, I asked for you to pray specifically for two things: Mentors and Funding. The Lord answered our prayers for mentors, and now please pray for these men at East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF):
• Daniel (release next month) and his mentor Jose
• Eddie (release next month) and his mentor Efrain
• Jason (release in early June) and his mentor Charlie
• Dontreal and his mentor Bob
These men have been transferred to other County jails, after beginning in our program at EMRF:
• Tracy (release in July) and his mentor Tom
• Scott (release in August) mentored by me
We now have enough interest to schedule a training session for new mentors. Pray for our next Mentor Training on May 31.
The Lord has continued to provide additional funding for the ministry. Thank you all for your generous “extra” gifts. Please continue to remember the funding for this ministry in your prayers.
At the Miramar Brig, we began a study in Mark’s Gospel a couple of weeks ago. The men are enjoying walking with Jesus through the days of his ministry, and seeing Him in new ways as we do so. I continue to meet with Chris M one-on-one each week. Chris has been in confinement since last fall, and his court martial is coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Last week, I got a letter from Brad, who was transferred from the Miramar Brig to the US Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, last November. He writes, “I find it discouraging to attend church here. The same meaningless songs, sung for entertainment and the glory of the singers and musicians. The same loud declarations by hypocrites during the service followed by equally loud curses and slanderous talk out of services.” Please keep Brad in your prayers, too, as he adjusts to living the Christian life at the USDB.
In late March, I visited Clark, who is in prison in Arizona. Clark became a Christian last June, but, like Brad, is having trouble finding real Christian fellowship. Clark, as you may recall, has been sentenced to Life Without Parole. His hope is in Christ, but he needs a Christian friend to walk with him. I can only afford to visit him two or three times a year.
I continue to meet regularly with David, Chris S, and Justin. Each of these men is out of custody, and has a job (an answer to prayer). That sometimes makes scheduling our meetings a challenge. David and I are beginning a study in Galatians, Chris and I are working our way through Daniel, and Justin and I will begin Galatians when things settle down a bit in his work schedule. Interestingly, they are all working at chain restaurants: one at Burger King, one at IHOP, and one at Five Guys.
Thank you again for your work with me in prayer for this ministry—especially for your partnership in praying for mentors and funding.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Dear Friends,
Christians all over the world celebrated Easter this past Sunday—it’s one of those years when the Eastern and Western Church calendars match up. Now that’s over, so life returns to the way it was before Good Friday, right? Here in Southern California, most school districts still have their spring breaks the week before Easter. Thus on Easter Monday, everyone’s back to school and work—and back to normal.
It’s almost as if it never happened. When I stopped by Walmart Monday afternoon, all the Easter candy and bunnies and accoutrements had already been taken away to make room for the next season’s bargains.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, reminds us that although Easter Day may be over, the event celebrated that day—Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead—should be always on our minds. He writes, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Cor 15:17) So let’s celebrate the resurrection again this next Sunday, shall we? And every Sunday after that, too. And every other day, too—because in Christ shall all be made alive!
In my February letter, I asked for you to pray specifically for two things: Mentors and Funding. The Lord answered our prayers for mentors, and now please pray for these men at East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF):
• Daniel (release next month) and his mentor Jose
• Eddie (release next month) and his mentor Efrain
• Jason (release in early June) and his mentor Charlie
• Dontreal and his mentor Bob
These men have been transferred to other County jails, after beginning in our program at EMRF:
• Tracy (release in July) and his mentor Tom
• Scott (release in August) mentored by me
We now have enough interest to schedule a training session for new mentors. Pray for our next Mentor Training on May 31.
The Lord has continued to provide additional funding for the ministry. Thank you all for your generous “extra” gifts. Please continue to remember the funding for this ministry in your prayers.
At the Miramar Brig, we began a study in Mark’s Gospel a couple of weeks ago. The men are enjoying walking with Jesus through the days of his ministry, and seeing Him in new ways as we do so. I continue to meet with Chris M one-on-one each week. Chris has been in confinement since last fall, and his court martial is coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Last week, I got a letter from Brad, who was transferred from the Miramar Brig to the US Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, last November. He writes, “I find it discouraging to attend church here. The same meaningless songs, sung for entertainment and the glory of the singers and musicians. The same loud declarations by hypocrites during the service followed by equally loud curses and slanderous talk out of services.” Please keep Brad in your prayers, too, as he adjusts to living the Christian life at the USDB.
In late March, I visited Clark, who is in prison in Arizona. Clark became a Christian last June, but, like Brad, is having trouble finding real Christian fellowship. Clark, as you may recall, has been sentenced to Life Without Parole. His hope is in Christ, but he needs a Christian friend to walk with him. I can only afford to visit him two or three times a year.
I continue to meet regularly with David, Chris S, and Justin. Each of these men is out of custody, and has a job (an answer to prayer). That sometimes makes scheduling our meetings a challenge. David and I are beginning a study in Galatians, Chris and I are working our way through Daniel, and Justin and I will begin Galatians when things settle down a bit in his work schedule. Interestingly, they are all working at chain restaurants: one at Burger King, one at IHOP, and one at Five Guys.
Thank you again for your work with me in prayer for this ministry—especially for your partnership in praying for mentors and funding.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
