As most of you know, my calling takes me in multiple directions, and so does this update. I will be talking about both my prison efforts and my outreach efforts to a nonPrison environment – Via de Cristo.
Let’s start with Via de Cristo. I have been called to the Men’s team #57 to a Lay position. This will give me a break from my normal pastoral duties while at the same time allow me to serve in a position that represents the hands of God – Palanca. Palanca mean “lever” and this position centralizes the different tangible forms of gifts given so that the candidates going through the weekend and the team as well can be encouraged. All of us need encouragement at those stress-filled times of our lives. Knowing that someone cares brings a smile to our weary souls.
You may remember Dave Marquart who has both attended our church in the past and filled in leading worship/playing the lead guitar before the worship team got big enough. His daughter, Amy, come to Oak Grove to worship. Dave is now an ordained pastor and is working with a church near Holiday. Dave will be serving as a Spiritual Director for the first time for the Men’s #57 weekend! Please support him with your prayers.
My regular Bible Study at Zephyrhills Correctional has just started a unit called Music As Worship. Last night we discussed the types of instruments found in the Bible and how they related to Old/New Testament worship. I showed them video examples of many of the instruments being played as well as the oldest recorded song (3400 years old): THE LYRE OF THE ANCIENT HEBREWS…
I have expanded my ministry to another prison – Polk Correctional. That facility has changed from a standard prison to being a transitional facility. The inmates who have less than three years left on their sentence are sent there to get them ready for either release or being sent to a workcamp.
My duties there fall under the title: Mentoring. The inmate that I had been mentoring at Zephyrhills has been transferred there. I saw him this past Tuesday. While there I signed up to be a general mentor as well. Starting in March, I will be going in on Mondays to help mentor up to 75 inmates at a time. The topic has not been determined yet so please pray for what the Lord needs me to teach them.
Finally, let me encourage you to be in prayer for those who are serving this weekend at Hernando Correctional’s Kairos weekend. They are God’s hands and arms being sent in to love on those who need love the most – the incarcerated. God touches many hearts and changes many lives through their efforts on His behalf. Let us remember them in our prayers.
Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor John