June 25, 2014
Dear Friends,
We’re studying the gospel of Mark at the Miramar brig on Thursday nights. Although we’re in the middle of chapter 8, the parable of the soils (or sower) from chapter 4 keeps coming back to mind. In chapter 8, Jesus asks his disciples, “Do you still not understand?” In the parable of the soils, Jesus tells his disciples that if they don’t understand the parable, they won’t be able to understand any parable. What is it the disciples don’t “understand”?
Ten to 15 men have been exploring this question with me each Thursday, and I continue to meet regularly with Chris M, who was sentenced last month to five years after 10 months of pre-trial confinement (he was expecting a much shorter sentence). Recently, I have begun meeting regularly with Josh, who is serving only a year in confinement and should be released in January.
Thank you for praying for new mentors for the PRO Mentors program, which helps Christian inmates in San Diego County jails as they leave custody and adjust to being productive members of society. At our May 31 training, we had several new mentors. The highlight of the training, however, was hearing from Shannon and Bill, who are PROs who are still meeting with their mentors, more than six months after their release from jail.
As a result of the training, another organization, Rise Up Industries, wants to partner with PRO Mentors. Rise Up targets gang members upon reentry, and they need mentor training. PRO Mentors will connect a Rise Up Mentor (who is a Christian) with one of our PROs (preferably one with past gang affiliation). Rise Up is just getting started, and is modeled off Home Boy Industries in Los Angeles.
I have been asking you to pray for “Funding and Mentors” since my February prayer letter, and God is answering your prayers for mentors.
God is answering your prayers for funding, also. But please don’t stop praying! In 2013, less than 10% of my donor income came from San Diego County, which benefits most from the ministry that I do in the jails. PRO Mentors is in active partnership with the District Attorney’s office and with the Sheriff’s Office, but they are unable to support the ministry financially because it is a Christian program.
Between now and the end of 2014, I am seeking to raise an additional $15,000 in donations from San Diego County—a step toward moving my budget from 10% local to 50% local.
The twice-monthly class at East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF) is full—over 20 men who will all be back on the streets in the next eight months. Half of them will have supervision (probation) from the County, which comes with the possibility of housing and substance abuse treatment. But the other half will be released with only the money in their account—which is usually less than $10. There is no “gate money” for prisoners released from County jail. PRO Mentors gives them a man to help them, to pray with them, to assure them that God will provide. No other organization provides the “link” between custody and release that PRO Mentors provides.
So please continue to pray for “Funding and Mentors” from San Diego County.
I have had conversations with other church leaders hoping to expand the PRO Mentors program to two other jails in San Diego County—the South Bay Detention Facility in Chula Vista and the Vista Detention Facility in North County. EMRF is designated the County’s “Reentry” Facility, so our program fits best there (and they have just added 400 more beds there), but the need for the link between custody and release is just as keen at these jails, if not moreso.
I continue to meet one-on-one with Justin, David, and Chris W., who have been released from EMRF in the last nine months or so. I am also meeting face-to-face with PROs in custody at least once a week, often introducing them to their mentors. I periodically meet with Greg, Jasen, and Chris S. who have been released on state parole in the last 18 months.
Thanks be to God that I am not in this ministry alone—that there are partners like you who pray for this ministry and who give to this ministry. Thank you for your generous efforts in prayer and giving.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
We’re studying the gospel of Mark at the Miramar brig on Thursday nights. Although we’re in the middle of chapter 8, the parable of the soils (or sower) from chapter 4 keeps coming back to mind. In chapter 8, Jesus asks his disciples, “Do you still not understand?” In the parable of the soils, Jesus tells his disciples that if they don’t understand the parable, they won’t be able to understand any parable. What is it the disciples don’t “understand”?
Ten to 15 men have been exploring this question with me each Thursday, and I continue to meet regularly with Chris M, who was sentenced last month to five years after 10 months of pre-trial confinement (he was expecting a much shorter sentence). Recently, I have begun meeting regularly with Josh, who is serving only a year in confinement and should be released in January.
Thank you for praying for new mentors for the PRO Mentors program, which helps Christian inmates in San Diego County jails as they leave custody and adjust to being productive members of society. At our May 31 training, we had several new mentors. The highlight of the training, however, was hearing from Shannon and Bill, who are PROs who are still meeting with their mentors, more than six months after their release from jail.
As a result of the training, another organization, Rise Up Industries, wants to partner with PRO Mentors. Rise Up targets gang members upon reentry, and they need mentor training. PRO Mentors will connect a Rise Up Mentor (who is a Christian) with one of our PROs (preferably one with past gang affiliation). Rise Up is just getting started, and is modeled off Home Boy Industries in Los Angeles.
I have been asking you to pray for “Funding and Mentors” since my February prayer letter, and God is answering your prayers for mentors.
God is answering your prayers for funding, also. But please don’t stop praying! In 2013, less than 10% of my donor income came from San Diego County, which benefits most from the ministry that I do in the jails. PRO Mentors is in active partnership with the District Attorney’s office and with the Sheriff’s Office, but they are unable to support the ministry financially because it is a Christian program.
Between now and the end of 2014, I am seeking to raise an additional $15,000 in donations from San Diego County—a step toward moving my budget from 10% local to 50% local.
The twice-monthly class at East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF) is full—over 20 men who will all be back on the streets in the next eight months. Half of them will have supervision (probation) from the County, which comes with the possibility of housing and substance abuse treatment. But the other half will be released with only the money in their account—which is usually less than $10. There is no “gate money” for prisoners released from County jail. PRO Mentors gives them a man to help them, to pray with them, to assure them that God will provide. No other organization provides the “link” between custody and release that PRO Mentors provides.
So please continue to pray for “Funding and Mentors” from San Diego County.
I have had conversations with other church leaders hoping to expand the PRO Mentors program to two other jails in San Diego County—the South Bay Detention Facility in Chula Vista and the Vista Detention Facility in North County. EMRF is designated the County’s “Reentry” Facility, so our program fits best there (and they have just added 400 more beds there), but the need for the link between custody and release is just as keen at these jails, if not moreso.
I continue to meet one-on-one with Justin, David, and Chris W., who have been released from EMRF in the last nine months or so. I am also meeting face-to-face with PROs in custody at least once a week, often introducing them to their mentors. I periodically meet with Greg, Jasen, and Chris S. who have been released on state parole in the last 18 months.
Thanks be to God that I am not in this ministry alone—that there are partners like you who pray for this ministry and who give to this ministry. Thank you for your generous efforts in prayer and giving.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
