April 2024 Alpha Prison Ministries Newsletter
“I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:36)
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Inmate Ministers to a Prison Guard
I had been in contact with Leon before he went into the hospital. I sent him a detailed account of my testimony, my studies in evangelism, and my efforts in sharing the gospel with those around me.
I saw the parole board today, February 28, 2024, it went very well and was told I could look forward to hearing back from them in a couple weeks. My release date is June 27. I would still like very much to be a part of your housing program.
How is Leon recovering? I have been praying for him.
God is so good! I was walking on the big yard when I heard in my spirit, “I want you to go share the gospel with that guard!” I was afraid so I ran over to some fellow believers and asked them to pray. Then I hurried over to him.
As I shared the gospel with him, tears filled his eyes and he said, “How did you know?” Then he opened up to me and shared some of his struggles. Then he confessed his sins to God and renounced them, and committed his life to Jesus Christ.
About four days later he was walking in my unit, so I went up to him and asked, “Do you remember me?” His eyes widened and he said, “After we talked that day, I went home and told my girlfriend we can’t live this way any more! We need to repent of the way we’ve been living and commit our lives to Jesus!”
I would very much like to be a part of your program. If I am accepted, please forward me an address to give them, and please tell Leon I said hi and that I hope he is feeling better.
God bless you,
Donald
Editor’s Note: In our December newsletter, we paid tribute to Chaplain Chad Markwell who had recently passed away. He was a true friend to APM and strong supporter of our volunteers at Central Michigan Correctional Facility. Before his passing, Chaplain Markwell accomplished another blessing, writing a letter of recommendation for Donald who has been accepted for Alpha House residency upon his release!
Happy Jack Vouches for an Inmate Friend
Hello to my friends at Alpha Prison Ministries.
There is this one young man here named Glenn. You have been writing to him. I really look forward to the day he gets to come to Alpha House. He will be an asset to the program as much as the program will be for him.
I do not vouch for many people but this young man I believe will be a good fit. I know you have something special for him right now. Dave, you do not know how much you have done for this young man. You telling him you will help be a mentor for him, he talks about that all the time!
And he knows as I do how important it is to build a network of people outside of prison now, so you are truly appreciated.
If there is anything I can do to help in here, please ask. And if there are any prayers, please send them to us.
Love ya my brother in Christ.
Happy Jack
Potential 2027 Resident Planning Ahead
My name is Nick, I am currently incarcerated at Robert G. Cotton Correctional Facility. I am doing 5-20 years for drug related offenses. My earliest release date (ERD) is July of 2027.
I have completed my Associates in Business Administration here at Jackson Community College and am enrolled at Sienna Heights University to complete my Bachelor’s degree. Upon my parole, I intend to enroll for an electrician apprenticeship, find a local church, and participate in Alanon.
A member of my daily Bible study at Muskegon Correctional Facility referred me to your services regarding reentry. Unfortunately, I do not have any family or support left and I want to have as much prepared for my reentry as possible. A serious, Christ-based community is essential to my sobriety.
I know my ERD is a long ways off but the Lord tells us in Matthew and Luke, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” But Matthew 6:25 also tells me not to worry—but James tells us that faith without works is dead… So I’m doing my due diligence.
Thank you for your time and consideration and may God bless you and your ministry.
Sincerely,
Nick
We Were Not in Kansas Any More…Until Now
In February we published a letter received from Johnathon, a US Army veteran currently serving time and seeking residency at our Alpha House transitional housing. Johnathon was writing to us from a military prison in Ft. Leavenworth, KS but I was unaware of that detail at the time.
We have since received an inquiry from Alex, a US Navy veteran also serving time in Ft. Leavenworth. There’s no mention of Johnathon in Alex’s inquiry so it is unknown if APM somehow ended up on a military inmate resource list or news of us has become known there. Alex did specifically mention that the facility itself lacks the resources to fully assist so he was asking for our help.
APM’s reputation has traveled around plenty but this makes for a very unique development so far. Veterans have certainly given us a lot and bad choices have consequences for them too. Both of these men made adamant mention of claiming responsibility for their choices, true vets. It will be a very good thing if we are able to hlp them too.
In Memoriam: Farewell to Ed Kentgen
Ed Kentgen, a long time volunteer at Central Michigan Correctional Facility for APM alongside Elroy, passed away unexpectedly at only 67 on March 4th. The best way to pay tribute is from the words written about him from his time at Muskegon Correctional Facility:
The Catholic community at MCF would like to offer prayers and words of thanks for our brother, Ed. We were blessed to receive his witness to Christ, his story, candor, and ability to ask questions of us during his reflections on the weekly readings. Ed was as happy to hear our insights on the scriptures and living out faith as we were to receive his. Many of us could relate to his journey and how he returned to faith in Christ and the Church. We are grateful for his response to the call of Jesus to remember those of us incarcerated.
Alpha Prison Ministries’ Finances, January-February 2024
Total $ Income: 28,985.89
Total $ Expense: 16,243.81
Net $ Income: 12,742.08