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11 / 11 / 11

By the time this reaches you, there's a good possibility that even though 11/11/11 is a cool date, you're probably ready to move on. You'll be glad to know this is not about the date, it's about where APM is on that date, how your support is making a difference, and some exciting changes that make it easier than ever for you to support the ministry.

First of all, APM is not as large as we appear to be. We have a standard of excellence and a commitment to represent Jesus Christ with the best presentation we can. He is worthy of nothing less, but one side effect is that it's easy to assume the ministry is large and well funded. In reality, we just have very committed people and operate very efficiently.

As Leon announced at the banquet, APM has experienced what many others have—a drop in support—to the point of having only 1/3 of the active supporters we had two years ago. Our policy has always been, and will continue to be, that we never use a “sky is falling” hype to beg from our supporters. But it would be irresponsible for us not to reveal this problem so you can pray with us to the God who never fails. We are not worried, we're excited, anticipating the Lord's provision and invite you to be a part of that.

The sad part about the ministry losing support is not the lack of support, but the loss of blessing God can only deliver to those who properly understand his economic system. The ministry will be fine. It's the people God calls to support that miss out if they do not heed his call. Sadly, the thinking that keeps the world in bondage is all too prevalent in the church as well.

When you pray, pray that God will open up more believers to the understanding that tough times in God's economy are an opportunity to prove the Bible true. It makes no sense that if you give, you get more back so you can give even more as 2 Corinthians 9 teaches, but when it works, you know it has to be God. This is a time when ministries should have more, not less. And Jesus' words that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” will come to life.

Taken from the Fall/Winter Newsletter, November 2011

 

New and Classic Donating Options

Check by Mail:
Many of you are perfectly happy with the classic, well established method of supporting this ministry. You simply write a check and send it to us. That method of support is here to stay until the day no one wants it. If you prefer this method, please keep using it. Your checks by mail are always appreciated.

Bill Pay:
This option has been available for as long as your financial institution has offered it. We have just never actively promoted it until now, but if you are already using Bill Pay for other transactions, please consider using it to simplify your giving to APM.

PayPal:
Our ministry web site has been set up for some time to allow you to donate using either your existing PayPal account, or any major credit card while PayPal provides a trusted, secure online transaction. We will continue to offer this option.

Our New Online Donation Processing:
This month, we are implementing a new online system that gives you an option you did not have before. In addition to accepting all major credit cards, you will now be able to set up recurring donations that are processed each month automatically. Also, your tax deductible receipts will be issued instantly.

As a “thank you” for using this new system, we'll send you timely updates that are not part of our regular newsletter and allow you a better opportunity to communicate directly with us as well.

Taken from the Fall/Winter Newsletter, November 2011

 

Reversing a Family Curse

We often point out how the ministry of APM changes the very destiny of entire family lines, but the excerpt below from a recent letter we received helps demonstrate just how powerful this transformation is, and how the transformation of a father has led to a restoration with his son, and that son's desire to discover the same life changing hope his father has received.

There is a lot of hard work to be done here and I am truly excited about this new opportunity and challenge God has allowed me to be involved in. I wanted you to know I am still every day doing everything I can to continue addressing my thinking errors and substance abuse issues I still have. And I really love being able to help others and there is a lot of opportunity here for this.
Leon, I cannot express how happy I am to be able to come to Alpha House. I want you to know I am not one of those guys who is working on his problems just to get out of prison. I want to work on them to stay out. I also want to be able to share with people just how God did all this himself.
I also want to thank you for looking at my son as a possible resident. Yes, he has a lot of work to do yet also, but we do write each other and he does understand the importance of your faith based program and what it can do for him. He also wants to share in a life of God and recovery together with me. I will continue to keep you updated on my progress here.
God bless you brother,
Jack

Taken from the Fall/Winter Newsletter, November 2011

 

Letters From the Inside

We'd like to share some of the recent letters we've received from inmates. As you read the excerpts, we trust you will gain further insights into the impact you are having on these men through your support of APM. We also very much encourage you to attend the banquet; it's our way of saying “thank you” and giving you a greater appreciation for the difference you are making.

Alpha's Powerful Impact

Thank you for your letter. You know what's funny is that I have asked a couple of places that I do Bible studies with, and every time they send me information back, it has always been Alpha Prison Ministries. I've even asked a pen pal in Virginia to help me find a place and she sent me an application for APM.

Your ministry must have a very powerful impact on the community to be that strongly recommended. I will keep in touch with you and pray as 2012 comes along that my parole will be as close to spring as it can get. I am hoping and pray that God will grant me my parole then and provide me an opening at Alpha House.

To answer your question, Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Lord and King, the only Son of God who saw our Father's face. He is my protector. Without Jesus Christ in my life, I could not do anything good or worthwhile. I serve Jesus Christ rather than myself or this world.

Chris

Reaching Lepers

Thank you for the insight on Steve. I have let the brothers here know that he is doing well. Let him know that we are all praying for him, and to keep on doing well. Everyone says, “Hi.”

Yes, that miracle camp and retreat looks wonderful, but who knows with the new laws if I'll be able to ever visit a place like this. Only if God's will allows it I guess. In His time and according to His will.

Thank you for forwarding that letter to the teacher for me. Those kids have done a wonderful thing and they should know that people who are incarcerated, like me, truly appreciate any kind of help so we can be rehabilitated through Christ Jesus. He is the only one who can change us. I need Him; all of us in here need Him, and everyone out there needs Him. So I am truly thankful that a bunch of school children would be interested in sharing the love of Jesus with a “leper” such as I.

I have been running 3 miles every Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 miles on Saturday. Saturdays take nearly an hour and a half to finish and the track is crowded. So, instead of being frustrated or upset at people, I pray for them. I call Saturday's runs my “prayer runs.” I do 36 laps around the track asking the Holy Spirit to enter people, and God to strengthen people. Through it all, I am strengthened myself and I am able to finish my run. What a blessing and gift of God.

My prayers are with you always. May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be upon you each and every day.

Christian love,
Bob

Acceptance

I received your letter. I am so happy about my acceptance into the residency program at Alpha House. I told everybody I know about this blessing. Now there are others who are interested in Alpha Prison Ministries.

I admit that I don't know much about the program, but it did allow me to talk to others about Christ. He is there at Alpha House just as well as he is here with us (so I guess I do know more than I think I do about the program). He said that wherever there are two or more gathered in my name—there am I also.

Since my acceptance into the program, it seems as if a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I was kind of scared and nervous to re-enter into society. But now, thanks to your program, I very much look forward to getting out!

Where I was headed lacked a foundation of Christ I will now receive. It is truly a blessing to be getting out and living with people who are like minded. I see a bright light at the end of the road now.

Thanks,
Marvin

Editor's Note: We at APM try to emphasize that Alpha House is not a program, but “an environment” where residents have a safe place to build Christian character and life skills to successfully re-enter society. It still gets called a program, but oh well, it still works anyway.

Taken from the Fall Newsletter, September 2011

 

2011 APM Banquet

Stacy SwimpMeet Stacy Swimp, President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan. Stacy is a dynamic and inspirational national speaker, a dedicated family man, public servant, and outspoken Christian leader.

Stacy has accepted our invitation to be the guest speaker at the annual Alpha Prison Ministries banquet on September 26, 2011. Please plan on joining us.

To introduce you to the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan and their purpose, here is their organizational mission statement:

We, at the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan, believe in individual freedoms as outlined in the Constitution of the United States; equality of rights, justice and opportunity for all citizens. We believe in moral, ethical and spiritual representation as it pertains to the individual with an emphasis on pro-life choices and traditional marriage. We endeavor to educate, organize and mobilize individuals on public policies that affect us all which result in greater impact on civic responsibilities, promotion of self reliance and individual and collective empowerment.

We at APM couldn't agree more. We get to see the results as the disintegration of the family is a leading cause for men ending up in prison. Restoring the family and Christian values can prevent the tragic consequences we see prisoners having to face.

If organizations like the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Michigan were completely successful, organizations such as Alpha Prison Ministries would not be needed. Quite frankly, we'd be perfectly okay with that.

Consider this your first announcement of the annual banquet too. Please mark you calendar:

APM Annual Dinner Banquet
Monday, September 26, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Resurrection Life Church in Grandville

Taken from the Summer Newsletter, July 2011

September 27, 2011 Update: Stacy shared a powerful example of his own life experience and you can hear his moving story using the audio controls below.

 

The Kingdom of God
(excerpted from an inmate letter)

Leon,

Thank you for your wonderful letter and words of encouragement. It is always a blessing to hear from you and to know you are well.

I am reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Wow! He puts things in an interesting perspective and really makes you think.

I am also studying from a couple of books, one of them is Holy Spirit by A. Pink. He really hit some very key points about praise and worship with the Spirit of God. This confirms a little insight I had during one of my prayer times a few weeks ago. I was praying and I started thanking and praising God. As I did so, I started crying, then in a flash, several Scriptures flashed before my eyes.

It started with 1 Cor. 6:19-20, where we are the temple of God with the Holy Spirit in us. Then John 14:17 where the Spirit of truth is given.. and he shall be in me.. Next Rom. 14:17 where we see that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Then in Luke 17:21, we read that the kingdom of God is within you.

Through the Scriptures, I came to conclude, all within 1 or 2 seconds, that the Holy Spirit lives within me, and the kingdom of God is within me, so the kingdom of God may be the Holy Spirit.

Through this, Matt. 6:33 came to my instant thought and I am to seek first the Holy Spirit and his righteousness.. Then I will be led according to the will of God. I don't know how on target I was here, but this is what came to me.

Less than a week later, the book from A. Pink showed up from my correspondence study on the Holy Spirit. God is good.

My prayers are with you always.

Christian love,
Bob

Taken from the Summer Newsletter, July 2011

 

Wisdom From the Spirit of God

It looks to me like Bob was pretty well on target. His terminology might not match up with the way a Bible scholar would put it, but he suddenly grasped an important principle. God himself places his Spirit in us and we are the living kingdom of God on this earth.

As you read Bob's letter, I hope you began to envision that this is what we seek to do with Alpha Prison Ministries. When we get men to study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will make it click just like it did for Bob. They will receive righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I can't say it any better than Paul stated in 1 Cor. 2:10-12:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Thank you for your support. It is helping us reach more men like Bob.

Taken from the Summer Newsletter, July 2011

 

Prayer and Faith Rewarded

Paul is a former inmate and current resident of Alpha House who has been with us since last November. Like many people, especially former inmates, Paul has struggled to find regular work. He has worked for temporary services over the last several months, but nothing has been steady, reliable, or permanent.

Several weeks ago, Paul's prayers were answered when a company offered him full time employment...a steady job!

As Leon and Paul were talking over Bible study, the blessing and apparent answer to prayer was mixed with a problem. And for Paul, it was a big problem!

The prospective job required him to work Sundays. Paul's conscience was in turmoil. He very much needed the job, but his spirit would not allow him peace. The Sunday requirement was a deal breaker for him.

As Leon and Paul discussed the dilemma, Leon directed Paul to Hebrews 3 and 4. Leon shared his reasoning from the passages how the Sabbath rest is no longer in a day, but fulfilled in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They agreed to pray over the situation and take confidence in God's promise to the prophet Samuel, “He who honors me (God), him will I also honor.”

With this renewed confidence in God and his word, Paul later met with the job interviewer and expressed that he wanted the job, but for faith reasons, he could not work on Sundays.

“We can work around that issue,” said the interviewer.

Paul got the job! Well done, Paul, and thank you, Jesus!

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Taken from the Spring/Summer Newsletter, May 2011

 

Seven Days of Prayer 2011

Because Alpha Prison Ministries refuses to get stuck in a rut, we're willing to shake things up, try something new, and be different. Last year, we introduced the Seven Days of Prayer for APM, instead of the more intense forty days in the previous 3 years.

The one thing all four years have had in common is that we structured them around Mother's Day. If you've been expecting and wondering where this year's prayer schedule is, we've once again thrown change into the mix.

This year, our Seven Days of Prayer will include Memorial Day.

Like all the previous years, we won't be making you sign anything or send us a commitment card; we won't be calling you to check up or sending any prayer police to make sure you're on your knees. It's all on the honor system.

Seven Day Prayer Schedule 2011
(Although officially May 29 - June 4 which is now over, you can still choose any 7 day period to pray):

Taken from the Spring/Summer Newsletter, May 2011

 

We Wrote the Governor

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Prov 14:12, NIV).

Just as the truth of this verse could be said of many of the men we minister to in prison, there are laws which seem to make sense, but not only fail to achieve their intended purpose, they make the problem worse. Such a law took effect 5 years ago on January 1, 2006.

To anyone in prison ministry or even corrections, the dismal failure of this 5year old law comes as no surprise. Was the law based on research? No. Was it based on a known pattern to crimes it seeks to prevent? No. Would this law sound good to uninformed voters? Yes. That unfortunately is its only merit.

So what is this law we speak of? The “School Safety Zone” was increased from 500 to 1000 feet. This means that anyone convicted of a Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) offense cannot live within 1000 feet of a school or registered day care facility.

That seems like a good idea, right? Sure, but guess how many sexual crimes are conducted in this manner—they are so rare the answer is essentially none. It's rather pointless to prevent what isn't happening, so this law has zero relevance to the way sexual crimes are committed.

It isn't contributing anything to the rehabilitation of CSC offenders either. All it is really doing is making things more difficult for parolees because more than 52% of all the housing in Grand Rapids is now off limits.

This also includes our original Alpha House. Until the end of 2005, we could accept CSC offenders, but we haven't been able to for over 5 years now. Only after we obtained the new Alpha House in 2008 were we again able to accept these residents.

Even according to the Michigan Dept of Corrections own statistics, CSC offenders have the lowest recidivism (return to prison after being released). As a ministry, our experience in working with CSC offenders has been a positive one.

CSC residents are typically among the most ideal we get. They have already dealt with shame and only wish to move beyond it. They have “been forgiven much” and are among the most spiritually dynamic when the Lord has changed their heart. They respond to God's forgiveness with deep gratitude.

After already serving their time and paying their debt to society, CSC offenders are being unfairly and unnecessarily punished again. This obstacle for something as basic and necessary as housing is creating an additional hardship on top of the already difficult task of successful re-entry into society.

It's too bad this law appears to have been enacted simply for political gain because it produces the appearance of being tough on crime. Since there was no data whatsoever to justify this law, it's reasonable to conclude that it was politically motivated. Fortunately, the person who is responsible for this law is no longer in office.

In January, our Executive Director wrote a letter to our new Governor and a new Representative, asking them to call for the repeal of this law and go back to the previous 500 foot rule, which was more than adequate since a problem with the old law never actually existed. Perhaps if more of us did the same and wrote to our elected officials, we could get this failed law off the books.

There are not many people who care about the hardships faced by men who are released from prison. These men do not need more barriers put up that make it harder to re-enter society. Your voice on their behalf can make a difference, just like your support of APM matters.

Taken from the Spring Newsletter, March 2011

 

Only Our 4th Resident in Eleven Years

One of our current Alpha House residents is such an exception to the rule that he is only the 4th one since Leon took the role of Executive Director in 2000. This unique trait is that he came from a stable home. As Leon pointed out in his newsletter last month, 150 of the 154 residents Leon has supervised came from broken homes.

We hope as you reviewed the video that came with that newsletter, that it was a vivid reminder that you are doing something to help transform these men into fathers that will pass on a heritage of faith. Your support of prison ministry is not just changing the lives of prisoners, it is changing the destiny of families and generations.

Satan is very strategic in his attack on fathers to destroy the family unit. Perhaps you don't often think about prison ministry as a direct counter attack against the devil, but that's what it is. God is using you to undo the damage our enemy sought to carry out.

It's very likely that you are having your share of trouble. The enemy is trying to discourage you. He's trying to tell you your efforts aren't really making a huge difference. By supporting prison ministry you are directly involved in reversing the work of the devil, so he's naturally going to try to get you to stop. God wants you to keep going and his power supercedes all the trouble the devil tries to use against you.

As for our current resident, his struggles are different than the others who come from broken homes. Right now he is having trouble getting some needed documents to prove US citizenship. That makes it harder to find work. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for making a difference.

Taken from the Spring Newsletter, March 2011

 

27 in Twenty Eleven

Although APM actually crossed the 27 year mark a couple months ago, we do get to start 2011 at 27 years as a ministry. We thank you for being a part of that and we're looking forward to this being our best year ever!

We could easily focus on all the great things that have been accomplished over those years, and it is great, but there is still so much ahead. We're living in what appears to be the last days, and while that may terrify the world, it is exciting for believers, especially those who are involved in ministries such as APM.

Some of you probably watch the news, but hopefully not too much. Since “the just shall live by faith and not by sight,” watching the news can easily be harmful to your spiritual health. We're told in the Bible to focus on good things, the news is not known for doing that.

We are so bombarded with negative influences, even many Christians suffer from anxiety and even depression. That's really easy to do if we're looking around at the wind and the waves. It's even easier when our personal circumstances are less than ideal.

Many people receiving this newsletter could be suffering a hardship. God has not promised us an easy path. Just the opposite in fact; “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” If you're in a trial, read the entire 34th Psalm.

I for one take great comfort in the promise above and many more like it. Yes, we have trials. Yes, APM has its challenges too, but the LORD delivers us from every one.

I can say with confidence that the best is yet ahead because I'm not listening to the devil, the news, or the naysayers. Since you are a supporter of APM, I'm quite sure the devil is busy bringing trouble your way. He hates what you're doing, so it's his nature to bring you trouble.

As you receive this, many people are in the process of breaking their New Year's resolutions. But many of you have been supporting APM for a decade, two decades, or longer.

You are bringing this same hope to men who are in worse situations than the ones you face. I know from God's Word that he is pleased with that. Have a blessed year!

Taken from the Winter Newsletter, January 2011

 

Another Failure for “Tough on Crime”

A few years ago, I wrote a feature story for this newsletter asking the question, “Does tough on crime work?” In my opinion, and the opinion of many others in prison ministry, the answer is, no. And the facts tend to support that conclusion.

A few months ago, The Detroit News ran an interesting article on the serious, growing problems of an elderly prison population. One of the more intriguing facts reported in this article stated that while the prison population as a whole grew by 18% between 1999 and 2008, the number of inmates 55 and older grew by an astounding 76%!

While we can be sure that some of these people need to be locked up and kept locked up to help keep society safer, something is obviously skewed here.

What does this have to do with tough on crime? One of the leading causes of a huge spike in older adults in prison stems from bad public policy like Three Strikes and mandatory minimum sentences. Longer sentences are resulting in a higher average age for prison inmates.

The costs to taxpayers is creating a huge strain on an already troubled system. Estimates indicate it costs nearly 3 times as much to house an elderly inmate than it does a younger one.

APM has seen some of the effects of this too as we are getting older residents at Alpha House. Among other challenges, older people have a tough time finding the much needed work when they are released. Next time you hear the politically popular “tough on crime” rhetoric, hopefully you'll challenge the person who thinks it's a good idea.

Taken from the Winter Newsletter, January 2011

 

New APM Video Completed

We are excited to announce that very soon, those on our mailing list will be receiving a DVD of our new video. The response from everyone who has seen it has been phenomenal!

The feature length film is only 15 minutes, but it “tells our story” in a powerful and captivating way. The people you know that perhaps view prisoners like they are “getting what they deserve” will be moved to compassion after viewing this video.

We believe this video is anointed by the Lord to open more doors for the ministry, get more volunteers, gain more supporters, and result in more people praying for prison ministry and the people who are often forgotten because they are locked up and hidden from sight.

We hope you will share this video with others. APM is always willing to do a presentation to churches and other groups. After you share this video, many people seeing it will want to know more. Your reward in heaven for that simple effort will be great. More men will be reached, and more families will have their eternal destiny changed.

When you receive the DVD, you'll notice there are “abridged films” ranging from 3-5 minutes. Our 15 minute feature film has a condensed 4½ minute version to suit shorter presentations. Each main area of our ministry has a 4 minute film that also tells the story of one man. And the 3 minute film highlights our volunteers who are crucial to the success of this ministry.

We hope you seize opportunities with this video. The DVD's are studio quality in every way, and make great presentations of APM.

While you're on our site, you can view the videos here too.

Taken from the Winter Newsletter, January 2011

 

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)
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Scripture taken from The Message. (The Message)
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