PRISM Volume 10, Issue 1 Celebrating 10 years of prison ministry! September 2007

It's the Big One!
NPM Silent Auction
Fundraiser
Sunday, November 4

Silent Auction - n. An auction where bids are submitted in writing.

CITN's prison ministry will be holding a silent auction to raise funds for Christmas programs, Youth Development Center (YDC) cookouts and other ministry needs (See our needs list in this publication).

We are asking you to please donate items for the auction that others would like to bid on, such as antiques or rare (collector) items, a painting, a service, a craft, etc. Donations should be high-end items (minimum value of $50) or cash (any amount) — or your business can purchase an ad to be published in the Silent Auction Program (approximately 1000 to be printed). Ad rates are: Whole page: $200, Half page: $100, Quarter page: $50, Business card size: $25.

The deadline for ad requests & payment is October 18.

Whether you donate an item or not, come prepared to bid high and help this worthy cause. The families of incarcerated men, women, and teens will be blessed when you do.

For additional details, please see a representative of Now Prison Ministries in the Narthex, Pastor Michael Person, or call the church 770-922-5334.

36 “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” . . .  40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of †

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Ten Years
Pastor Michael Person
Ministry Director

Now Prison Ministries has existed for more than ten years. Time has moved so quickly; it is hard to believe it has been that long. There have been many moments when God touched our efforts and astounded us with His work. I have been most impressed by the dedicated ministers that have answered the call: Brenda and Milton Austin, Pastor Willie Bush, Donnie Adamson, Pastor Tim Timberman, Bruce Parkman, Effie Myers, Erik Stremke, Rick and Maurine McCleskey, Paulette Washington, and many others. However, none of the great work accomplished by this ministry would have happened without the commitment, support, and guidance of Bishop Swilley and Pastor Debye.

We will celebrate our tenth year by doing more of what we do. We have added additional services to our schedule and doubled our resolve to provide hope and a hand up to men, women and children affected by incarceration. †

Pastor Willie Bush

Willie Bush is now an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Pastor Willie Bush! He was ordained Sunday March 11, 2007 after ten years in the Prison Ministry and living a life of ministry everywhere he goes. Pastor Willie conducts three services at two prisons each month. He is my second in command at Now Prison Ministries and a great friend. He is sweet, kind, dedicated, humble and in love with the Lord. Congratulations Reverend Willie Bush. †

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Adult Ministry Report
Meet Our New Partner … Choices Outreach!

It's refreshing to know that there are still people who love the Lord with all their heart, love their neighbors as themselves and live it! Al Addae and his wife, Ami, founders of Choices Outreach, are such people. As an entrepreneur in the construction industry, Mr. Addae was working in downtown Atlanta where he noticed a large number of disenfranchised men. Being a man of God, Mr. Addae took compassion on the situation and in his own words, he “heard from God.”

Six months later, Choices Outreach is up and running with a staff of 5 volunteers and 3 homes dedicated to housing the 21 men currently enrolled in the program. Choices Outreach is a ministry that assists disenfranchised men by assimilating them back into society. They do this by providing housing, jobs and counseling, as well as drug testing and detoxification, if needed. Other services provided include: financial management, all aspects of personal responsibility, credit counseling, credit building, credit restoration, and, of course, spiritual development. The men are also afforded the opportunity to attend Nurturing Fathers which teaches them how to take the responsibility to be the head of the household. Enrollment in the program lasts for one year. Upon completion of the program, Choices Outreach will assist them in the purchase of their own home. Choices Outreach hopes to be a ministry of duplication whereby those whom successfully complete the program will become volunteers and assist others in turning their lives around.

Mr. Addae sums it up best by saying, “We bring organization to their lives.” For more information, contact Marc Jean, Director, at 404.492.3443. Choices Outreach is currently accepting referrals for applicants and services, as well as donations of clothing and furniture. †

Angel Tree Event

Our very successful annual participation with the Angel Tree organization will continue this year during the month of November and early December to provide Christmas for inmates' families. This is in addition to our usual Christmas donations to all the prisons that we visit. Watch the bulletin for more details. †

YDC Ministry Report

From the Inside Out

Rick McCleskey

Milledgeville YDC Ministry Coordinator

When we minister to the students at the YDC or the adult prisons, I always leave with a stronger faith and a strong sense of humility to be used by God through Now Prison Ministries. Recently, our services at CITN have produced, through our worship, an overwhelming strength of God's presence. Because the anointing has been supernatural, that anointing has followed us into the prison systems. 

Recently, testimonies of early release, breakthroughs between broken family relationships, breaking religious strongholds, mending denominational differences and large participations for healing and prayer at our closing invitations are just a few of the miracles that cause us to know, through our worship and praise, that the Holy Spirit is blessing not only this ministry, but all of the ministries connected to it. By our testimonies alone, God has used us to speak healing into the lives of many inmates and students. I feel so fortunate to be a part of a ministry that truly allows us to love others as we love ourselves. 

Thank God for the freedom and liberty we experience through Church in the Now Prison Ministries. †

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Ministry Needs

Immediate Ministry needs are to purchase a parenting and personal finance curriculum, 3 cases of large print Bibles, six cases of Youth Bibles, toiletries and Christmas gifts for the upcoming season. Prisons have also requested musical instruments. If you can be a blessing in any of these areas or have any other areas in which you are gifted, please sign up at the E.A.C.H. Center or see Pastors Michael or Brenda Person. †

Monthly Schedule

Every Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Library Sitter – Rockdale Detention Center

Every Thursday: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

“20/20 Vision” – Rockdale Detention Center

3rd Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Relationship class – Men's State Prison

4th Friday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Bible Study – Baldwin State Prison “M” Bldg.

1st Saturday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Service – Baldwin State Prison

2nd Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Relationship class – Men's State Prison

Every other Sunday: 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Stress Management – Metro Transition Center

2nd Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Ministry to teen females at Macon YDC

2nd Saturday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Service – Scott Prison Holly Bldg.

4th Saturday: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Church Service – Metro Transition Center

5th Saturday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Service – Scott Prison Holly Bldg.

2nd Sunday: 6:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Church Service – Men's State Prison

4th Sunday: 6:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Church Service – Men's State Prison

4th Sunday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Service – Baldwin State Prison

4th Sunday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Services – Scott Prison Gym & Kemper

5th Sunday: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Church Service – Men's State Prison

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YDC Ministry Report
Walk It Out
Barbara Johnson
Macon YDC Ministry Coordinator

Imagine 25 people, both younger and older, after our quarterly BBQ at the Macon YDC “walking it out.” Notice I said, “older,” and not “old” in reference to some of us volunteers?. In case you don't know, “walk it out” is a funky dance craze, which may be out-of-date at the time of this writing.

After being delayed in traffic on Highway 16 and it taking some of us more than the usual hour and 15 minutes to arrive at the facility, God's divine plan went in its usual excellent fashion. The ministry of the Mays family is truly A Mazing . The Washington family never ceases to bring glory to God through their God-given gifts. Dance praise ministered by our young volunteers was very inspiring to both the girls and staff at Macon. And, oh yeah, I understand we have performers who can minister a message that will make the girls both think and laugh—we reach them any way we can. Words of wisdom and encouragement from our director, Pastor Michael Person, and the good food made our efforts worthwhile just to see the smiles on those girls' faces—not to mention seeing CITN's youth developing and enhancing their ministry gifts via interaction with the girls at the facility.

If you've found your niche in CITN's E.A.C.H. program, congratulations! As for me, I know where I'm called to minister and being a part of the Prison Ministry is my passion.

Thanks to all of you who came out and volunteered for this endeavor. May God bless you for your labor of love.

A Special Thank You to Bell's Discount Grocery store for providing hot dogs, hamburgers and chips for all our YDC cookouts and programs.

Now Prison Ministries ongoing needs:

 Deodorant  Lotion Toothpaste

 Toothbrushes  Soap  Shampoo

 Greeting Cards

 Christian Reading Material

 Financial Contributions

Please make checks payable to:

“Now Prison Ministries”

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Calendar of Events

Volunteers Monthly Ministry Meeting

Place Church In The Now Café

Date October 19, 2007

Time 7:00 p.m.

Now Prison Ministry volunteers information sharing and time of fellowship and connection. 

Bill Ireland YDC Program & Cookout

Date October 20, 2007

Time 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Leave CITN at 8 a.m., Return at 4 p.m.

Minister to and cook for approximately 350 boys at the Bill Ireland (Milledgeville) YDC. 

Silent Auction Fundraiser

Date November 4, 2007

Time 1 hr before morning SERVICE – 6:30 p.m.

An auction will be held in the Narthex and hallways of the Church to benefit our annual Christmas donations and programs at the prisons.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Date November 10, 2007

Time 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

All the Pancakes you can eat at Up the Creek in Conyers for only $10.00

Sandersville RYDC Program & Cookout

Date December 1, 2007

Time 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Leave CITN at 8 a.m., Return at 4 p.m.

Minister to and cook for approximately 36 boys and girls at the Sandersville RYDC. 

Bill Ireland YDC Program & Cookout

Date December 15, 2007

Time 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Leave CITN at 8 a.m., Return at 4 p.m.

Minister to and cook for approximately 350 boys at the Bill Ireland (Milledgeville) YDC. 

Macon YDC Program & Cookout

Date December 22, 2007

Time 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Leave CITN at 8 a.m., Return at 4 p.m.

Minister to and cook for approximately 150 girls at the Macon YDC. 

Volunteers needed for cooking, serving, chaperoning, and leading worship. In December, we will provide Christmas gifts to over 6,000 people and are in need of large quantity donations.

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Miscellaneous

Certification Training

Certification is required in order to go into the adult facilities on a regular basis.

October 6, 2007

Time: 8:30 Am until 2:00 pm

Place: Men's State Prison Milledgeville GA

October 20, 2007

Time: 8:00 Am until 2:00 pm

Place: Temple Of Faith Church Of God In Christ

1550 Glenwood Avenue Atlanta, GA

Contact Pastor Michael Person to get required forms and contact information †

Meeting Schedule Update

Now Prison Ministries is meeting monthly on the 3rd Friday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2007. These meetings will be at CITN in The Café – watch your bulletin for details. Come join the fun and fellowship as we share praise reports from all the ministry opportunities and events that occur each month. †

New Volunteers

New volunteers have expressed interest in getting involved in the ministry through the E.A.C.H. program. We want to get you plugged in. Contact Pastor Michael Person to discuss your availability †

Enjoy a Beautiful & Colorful Autumn!

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