True Financial Freedom

On December 13 we  completed a 13 week class on Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University in the Dixon CC.   We started out with 17 in the class and 15 graduated.  On graduation day Pastor Eric Kersten(pictured with Larry Davis )  from Calvary Lighthouse church in Rochelle visited the class and gave a few words of encouragment to the men graduating.  Eric said he really enjoyed being there, and the men all seemed to enjoy getting to know Eric.   It was so good to see all the men graduate with a positive attitude from this class, and we will miss each and every one of them.  They will be released soon.   Keep them in prayer!

Missionaries visit Dixon Bible Class!

On  Saturday November 29, 2008, Michael and Andrea Erickson, missionaries located in  San Pablo City, Lacuna, Philippines, visited the Prison Fellowship Ministry Bible study.  They shared stories from their experiences with Face The Children, part of the Philippine Frontline Ministries.  Their work involves working mostly with the orphanage/rescue center  in San Pablo City, where they work directly with the children and have administrative duties as well.  But they also spend a lot of their time working in the church and school associated with Frontline.  Mike leads worship and often gets opportunities to preach.  Andrea is a teacher and teaches English in the school.  They shared stories of victories and some sad occasions as well.  But in all cases, the gospel of Jesus Christ was given out in word and in practice.  The response from the men was amazing, as they supported them in prayer and blessings for their ministry.  They are pictured above with their 2 year old son Josiah.

Catch up time

Well it has been awhile since I’ve been in here, so I have to catch everone up on what has been going on.  

1.  First of all,  exciting news from Dixon:  In June Alan Beaman, a true born-again Christian, and great asset to our Bible class, was released.  He won his appeal for a new trial!   Then in November Roger Burns, was released on parole.   Roger also spent the last 20 years searving the Lord inside the prison.  We rejoice with both of them and we will keep them on  our prayer list.

2.  Then, in October, we had the opportunity to go into Stateville Correctional Center at the invitation of Prison Fellowship.   Larry conducted a True Financial Freedom study as a 1 day seminar.  We had 17 present and the participation by eah was great.  If we had any complaints – it was that the time went by too fast!  We are looking forward to more opportunities in the future to Stateville or other correctional centers.

3.  Also, in Dixon, every Thursday morning, we began a 14 week financial study using material from Dave Ramsey.  We feel that it is a great blessing and a privilege that we are able to do this study as well as our Sunday Bible study at Dixon.  This will end in the middle of December.   We were able to provide workbooks for 18 participants.  The study consists of an hour long  DVD by Dave Ramsey after which we have another hour of discussion with the group.   This has been well received and some have even asked us when we are giving the next class so they also can benefit from the study.   We offered to only those residents who are going to be going home in the next 6 to 12 months and our hope is that the Lord will provide so we can continue this study on an ongoing basis.  It is a life-skill that each resident will be able to utilize on the outside as they begin their new life.

4.  In our Bible Literacy Class on Sunday afternoons –  we are winding down on our 30 Principles of Christian Living series. We have been using a work book by Charles Stanley.  We are in our 28th week and will finish up this month – November.  

5.  Angel Tree is soon approaching and Calvary Lighthouse will again be participating.  This is a great outreach to children and families of those incarcerated in correctional centers all across the nation.  This is a program where church members can help incarcerated Moms and Dads reach out to their children and let them know they are loved.  Also it is a great way for the church to reach out to the whole family and show Christ’s love.

Dixon CC Re-entry Summit

Larry Davis and Dan were asked to take part in the  Dixon CC Re-entry Summit on Thursday May 9. Larry presented Crown Financial Ministry, summarizing how to handling money God’s way and Dan spoke on savings and investment.   This was a 2 day summit and there were several vendors that spoke, giving them the opportunity to investigate various programs and encouraging the residents to participate in these opportunities prior to and upon release.  Tables were set up after the Summit and Larry, Sharon and Dan handed out Money Maps to each person stoppping by the table.  We also had a great lunch – taco salad – prepared by the culinary class

Crown Financial goes to Pontiac!

   We have been given the privilege of conducting a Crown Financial Bible study in Pontiac Correctional Center.   The first session was  April 17 and we had 10 in attendance.  At first Larry and I were concerned.  Our desire was to take the course about handling money God’s way to the minimun security area to inmates who would soon be released.  However, we were instead asked to give the study in the protective custody wing where most of the inmates have life sentences.   A great deal of (sorry to admit – worry), prayer and changing our minds on how to teach the subject went on for a month prior to starting the course.  We actually were still discussing how to present it as we made the 1-1/2 hour drive down.  But God knew what He was up to, and who He wanted to hear about His principles of handling money.  The principles apply not only to money, but to every aspect of our lives – we knew that – we just didn’t know how the inmates would respond.  Well, Praise God! we had a great session, much discussion and feedback from the group.  They were enthusiastic, not only about what they, themselves, were getting out of it – but what they could pass on to their families on the outside.  We are looking forward to  tomorrow’s session (Thursday April 24).  Keep us in prayer each Thursday.

Facing the Giants!

On Saturday March 15, we were able to present the film “Facing the Giants” to the Prison Fellowship Ministry Bible class at Dixon Correctional Center.  There were 14 men present and all seemed to enjoy the film.  We also handed out a review page of the film so they could review the Biblical lesson that are dealt with within the movie.  We were so blessed to be able to share this movie with the men.