October 9, 2014
Dear Friends,
Last month, I was visiting friends and family in the Midwest for a couple of weeks. One morning, I was having breakfast with a college friend about half a mile from where I went to middle school in Indianapolis. We were discussing my ministry, and my friend brought up the parable of the Prodigal Son.
It is far from unusual to talk about the Prodigal Son in the context of prison and reentry ministry. Indeed, in the more than 16 years I’ve been leading Bible studies at the Miramar brig, most guest preachers feel compelled to preach on the passage.
But my friend was approaching it from a different point of view: when someone gets out of jail and comes to the Church, we should throw a party! We should celebrate their release from custody, and their life in Christ. Usually, however, there are other issues to be concerned about, and the party gets delayed. Or never occurs.
The mission of the Hebrews 13:3 Project continues to be to get inmates from the gate of the jail or prison to the door of the Church. We’ve had two men released from East Mesa Reentry Facility (the PRO Mentors program) that are both keeping in touch not only with their mentors, but with each other. John (age 52) and Rick (age 23) have been helping each other get to church, as well as to navigate other aspects of being released.
Matt (age 28) will be released next Tuesday. I am mentoring both him and Rick; they were friends at East Mesa. Each of them tells me interesting things about the other one that is helping me get to know each of them better, and to help them.
Mark was released this past Friday. His mentor Charlie reports he is doing well so far. Gabe was released on Thursday. I’m still waiting for an update from his mentor Josh.
For the first time since the PRO Mentors program began in January 2013, every inmate who has met our attendance requirement has been assigned a mentor. We even have one trained mentor without a PRO. At our class next Monday, two more men will be ready for a mentor. We are very thankful for this answer to prayer.
At the Miramar brig, we will finish our study this week in the Gospel of Mark that we began in April of this year. We continue to have a strong group of 10 men, most of whom bring a friend a couple of times a month. Those friends sometimes stick around for a while; others just visit from time to time. I continue to meet regularly with Chris (age 31) and Josh (age 26). Josh will be released in January, so pray that we can make the most of the time we have left together.
Safer Streets through Christian Discipleship
Please continue to pray for my efforts in raising $15,000 locally (in San Diego County) before the end of the year. My “Safer Streets” campaign is an effort to have 50% of my annual budget come from local donors. Several folks have already responded generously. Please pray that God will provide more local donors to partner with me in this effort to keep men from returning to custody.
Celebrating 60 Years of Marriage
As I mentioned in my last letter, my parents are celebrating 60 years of marriage this year. On September 5, about 30 old friends gathered in Indianapolis to help us celebrate. I saw people I hadn’t seen since the mid-70s, and so did my parents. A high school friend of my mom’s showed up. A man from St. Louis who had been in my dad’s youth group in the 70s drove in just for the party. The event was quite energizing to my parents (who, at 79 and 82, can use all the energy they can get!) and they mention some aspect of it almost every week when we speak on the phone. Thank you for your prayers! I've posted photos here.
The date of their anniversary is October 24. So if you’re inclined to send wishes and/or congratulations, here is their address:
Joe and Sue Conarroe
230 Welcome Way Blvd
Bldg. 4 Apt. B-12
Indianapolis, IN 46214
As always, thank you for your faithful prayers and support of this ministry.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
Last month, I was visiting friends and family in the Midwest for a couple of weeks. One morning, I was having breakfast with a college friend about half a mile from where I went to middle school in Indianapolis. We were discussing my ministry, and my friend brought up the parable of the Prodigal Son.
It is far from unusual to talk about the Prodigal Son in the context of prison and reentry ministry. Indeed, in the more than 16 years I’ve been leading Bible studies at the Miramar brig, most guest preachers feel compelled to preach on the passage.
But my friend was approaching it from a different point of view: when someone gets out of jail and comes to the Church, we should throw a party! We should celebrate their release from custody, and their life in Christ. Usually, however, there are other issues to be concerned about, and the party gets delayed. Or never occurs.
The mission of the Hebrews 13:3 Project continues to be to get inmates from the gate of the jail or prison to the door of the Church. We’ve had two men released from East Mesa Reentry Facility (the PRO Mentors program) that are both keeping in touch not only with their mentors, but with each other. John (age 52) and Rick (age 23) have been helping each other get to church, as well as to navigate other aspects of being released.
Matt (age 28) will be released next Tuesday. I am mentoring both him and Rick; they were friends at East Mesa. Each of them tells me interesting things about the other one that is helping me get to know each of them better, and to help them.
Mark was released this past Friday. His mentor Charlie reports he is doing well so far. Gabe was released on Thursday. I’m still waiting for an update from his mentor Josh.
For the first time since the PRO Mentors program began in January 2013, every inmate who has met our attendance requirement has been assigned a mentor. We even have one trained mentor without a PRO. At our class next Monday, two more men will be ready for a mentor. We are very thankful for this answer to prayer.
At the Miramar brig, we will finish our study this week in the Gospel of Mark that we began in April of this year. We continue to have a strong group of 10 men, most of whom bring a friend a couple of times a month. Those friends sometimes stick around for a while; others just visit from time to time. I continue to meet regularly with Chris (age 31) and Josh (age 26). Josh will be released in January, so pray that we can make the most of the time we have left together.
Safer Streets through Christian Discipleship
Please continue to pray for my efforts in raising $15,000 locally (in San Diego County) before the end of the year. My “Safer Streets” campaign is an effort to have 50% of my annual budget come from local donors. Several folks have already responded generously. Please pray that God will provide more local donors to partner with me in this effort to keep men from returning to custody.
Celebrating 60 Years of Marriage
As I mentioned in my last letter, my parents are celebrating 60 years of marriage this year. On September 5, about 30 old friends gathered in Indianapolis to help us celebrate. I saw people I hadn’t seen since the mid-70s, and so did my parents. A high school friend of my mom’s showed up. A man from St. Louis who had been in my dad’s youth group in the 70s drove in just for the party. The event was quite energizing to my parents (who, at 79 and 82, can use all the energy they can get!) and they mention some aspect of it almost every week when we speak on the phone. Thank you for your prayers! I've posted photos here.
The date of their anniversary is October 24. So if you’re inclined to send wishes and/or congratulations, here is their address:
Joe and Sue Conarroe
230 Welcome Way Blvd
Bldg. 4 Apt. B-12
Indianapolis, IN 46214
As always, thank you for your faithful prayers and support of this ministry.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
