Summer 2008 Alpha Prison Ministries Newsletter

"I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:36b)

 

More Than a Conqueror

Today, Mike Benson heads up the Conquerors International Strength Team which reaches people all over the world with the gospel after they captivate attention with amazing feats of strength. This unconventional style of ministry has brought many people into the kingdom of God.

But it has not always been this way. Mike was once convicted of armed bank robbery and sentenced to prison. While at Jackson State Prison in Michigan, Mike was reached through the efforts of a prison ministry.

As Mike attended a prison ministry event back in 2000, he listened to former mafia member and ex-prisoner, Rocco Morelli, tell his story about how Christ had changed his life. Mike gave his life to the Lord, and now is using his gift to minister the gospel to others.

We are privileged to have Mike as our guest speaker at this year’s APM annual banquet.

Please mark your calendar for the banquet which will be on September 22, 2008 and encourage others to attend with you. This will be a great opportunity for them to learn about our ministry, and hear from a guest speaker whose time is in very high demand.

To learn about the Conquerors International Strength Team, visit their web site at www.theconquerors.net. Encourage others who you would like to invite to attend to visit this web site as well.

We will keep you informed as the date gets closer, but the banquet will once again be held at the Ground Floor inside Resurrection Life Church in Grandville.

 

Wasted Time    Written by Dave, an inmate now serving time in prison

The time that I’ve wasted is my biggest regret,
Spent in these places that I’ll never forget.
Just sitting and thinking about the things that I’ve done,
The crying, the laughing, the hurt, and the fun.

Now it’s just me and my hard driven guilt
Behind a wall of emptiness I allowed to be built.
I’m trapped in my body just wanting to run
Back to my youth with its laughter and fun.

But the chase is over and there’s no place to hide.
Everything is gone, including my pride.
With reality suddenly right in my face
I’m scared, alone, and stuck in this place.

Now memories of the past flash through my head,
And the pain is obvious by the tears that I shed.
I ask myself why, and where I went wrong;
I guess I was weak when I should have been strong.

Living for the drugs and the wings I had grown,
My feelings were lost, and afraid to be shown.
As I look at my past, it’s so easy to see
The fear that I had, afraid to be me.

I’d pretend to be rugged, so fast and so cool
When actually lost, like a blinded old fool.
I’m getting too old for this tiresome game
Of acting real hard with no sense of shame.

It’s time that I change and get on with my life,
Fulfilling my dreams for a family and wife.
What my future will hold I really don’t know,
But the years that I wasted are starting to show.

I just live for the day when I’ll get a new start,
And the dreams I still hold deep in my heart.
I hope I can make it, I at least have to try
Because I’m heading toward death, and I don’t want to die.

 

What is Alpha Prison Ministries?

On occasion, we feel it’s a good idea to specifically state what APM is all about: who we are, what we do, what we don’t do, and other policies that guide our ministry. It’s been a while since we put that in the newsletter, so here it is.

Our Purpose and Mission Statement

“To evangelize and disciple men who happen to be prisoners and former inmates”

Our purpose is accomplished through the following initiatives:

• Weekly Bible studies inside prisons
• Residency program for former inmates at Alpha House
• Mentor relationships with prisoners and former inmates
• Pen-Pal and letter support for inmates
• Follow-on discipleship for Alpha House graduates
• Bibles, Christian literature, and Bible study materials sent to chaplains and inmates
• Networking with state officials, legislature, and other ministries/organizations
• Prayer support
• APM newsletters
• APM web site

Our Policies and Commitment to Financial Integrity

• APM’s budget and financial reports are available on request
• APM acknowledges financial gifts monthly with a tax deductible receipt
• Although we will make our needs known, we trust God and will never invent or exaggerate a need to try and motivate anyone to give to this ministry
• You are always welcome to call, write, or email with any questions
• We never give, share, or sell our mailing list to any other ministry or organization for any reason

Most importantly, APM is an overtly Christian ministry. We are not affiliated with any denomination, but we believe Jesus Christ is Lord.

 © Alpha Prison Ministries

Alpha Prison Ministries  •  616-538-4090   •  Grand Rapids, Michigan  •   info@alphapm.org