“Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us.” (Book of Common Prayer)

A Year Ago . . .

A year ago Free Inside was little more than an idea, a vision born in my heart by God. We had a bank account with some money donated by a few folk ready to back the idea. (Perhaps there is a special blessing for those who believe in an idea and a willing to back it from the beginning). We had a legal document incorporating Free Inside as a 501(c) 3 charitable corporation, an important document, but still just a piece of paper.

But Now . . .

1. Three Alpha Courses have been completed that reached 115 inmates.

2. This Fall six Alpha courses are in progress in three Connecticut prisons.

• At York C I, the women’s prison, two on Tuesday nights, one on the maximum security side and one on the minimum security side.
• At Gates C I, two day-time courses, one for Protestants and one for Catholics.
• At Bergin C I, two courses on Wednesday evenings. One of these is Alpha and the other Alpha II, which is a follow up course on Philippians called “A Life Worth Living.”  Those in Alpha II are graduates of Alpha I.

3. God has sent us 25 enthusiastic volunteers, men and women from eight different churches. I am amazed by the dedication of these folk, some of whom are involved in more than one course each week. Eleven of those who started with us this Fall are ‘first timers.” They have overcome their initial fears and are enthusiastic about the opportunities to reach men and women in prison.

4. The lives are being changed. Some inmates come searching and are being drawn to Christ, some have come into a personal relationship with Jesus, some are already Christians and are growing in their faith.

5. Two whole Sundays to be spent in prison. For the first time we will be able to have a full day retreat on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in 2 separate prisons; at Bergin on October 31 and at Gates on November 21. This an answer to prayer because we will have the opportunity to spend almost 8 hours with the inmates in concentrated teaching and ministry.

6. Speaking at two conferences. I will be speaking at two conferences in November. On the 13^th I will lead two workshops on “Alpha in a Prison Setting” at the New England Prison Ministries annual Caleb Conference in Chelmsford Mass. Then on November 20^th I will offer this workshop again at the Alpha New England leaders Conference.

Peter
For Christ and His Kingdom.
click here for more information about Peter

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