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BETHESDA FAMILY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Serving inmates, parolees, their family, the victims and the community

     In John 5:2 we find the only reference to the pool of Bethesda. Bethesda is defined as house of healing and restoration, house of mercy, etc. Bethesda sets the tone and mission of this ministry.
     Our mission field is domestic and decidedly forgotten, or should we say, ignored by most churches. We hope to change that tide one church, one community and one prison at a time. The need is absolutely huge. With more overcrowded prisons than any other state and significantly higher recidivism, California needs a change, and that change has to begin within the heart of the church.
     The Bible is very clear that we are to minister and visit in prisons so you can see why it broke our heart when a prominent, fundamental, conservative, Baptist pastor said to us, “we don’t give much hope for inmates, but good luck.” Unfortunately, we find this tempo deeply seeded in our circle of churches and the hungry, searching inmates, parolees, and their families have the same experience and it turns them away from our churches...the same place they are to find Christ, healing and restoration. We pray that the Lord will touch your heart to become a part of the solution.

DYNAMIC RESOURCE DIRECTORY

Check out the all new Bethesda Reentry and Family Dynamic Resource Directory. Find a wealth of resources at your fingertips. Click categories or use the convenient search box. Currently the resources are focused on Sacramento County. We will be expanding the directory as quickly as possible to cover all of California.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS DIRECTORY

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Enjoy this daily devotional from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For HIs Highest. We believe it will be a blessing to you daily as you ponder on it throughout the day. Click below to access today's devotional.

BECOME A SPONSOR/MENTOR

We are actively looking for and recruiting mentors and volunteer chaplains to aid with the growing need in and outside of the prisons. If the Lord is tugging at your heart in this area, please call and talk with us. You are needed.

GET LINKED AND STAY INFORMED

Stay current and informed with CDCR. Presently, there are a lot of positive things going on in the system. We had the pleasure of being with the Under Secretary recently and he advised us of some incredible head way that is being made in the area of re-entry and rehabilitation. Over the next year, you will begin to see a dramatic shift in the prison system of California. We will do our best to keep you informed. Click on the CDCR Logo to go to their site. There are many resources there and information that you should have.

MIND OF BETHESDA

What's on our mind for the near future?

It is our intention to begin an aggressive recruiting campaign this summer, in churches throughout California and helping churches to see the great need of the domestic mission field in their own back yard.

We intend to implement training programs, workshops, conference calls, webinars and isolated social networking devices to support volunteers as well as open & maintain lines of communication among volunteers, trainers, pastoral/ministry staff and law enforcement. We also intend to create workshops and open lines of communication that will specifically foster Sponsor and Parole Agent communications and understanding.

It is our full intention to work with organizations and form strategic alliances with ministries and organizations who already have viable programs to help strengthen and compliment each other rather than to duplicate identical resources competing for funding, personnel, etc.

WHERE WE DRAW THE LINE

Bethesda has a hardline approach when it comes to parole violation and crime. We believe that through these programs, recidivism and victimization will be reduced. However, while we do our best to support the inmate, parolee and family, we have a zero tolerance policy on crime and parole violations. Sponsors, Volunteers and Bethesda staff are expected to report any known criminal activity or parole violation.

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October 26

INSIDE REPORT
Dennis ministered on yards 1 and 2 at Avenal State Prison today. Seven inmates received Christ. Dennis and Sharon were in Sacramento this past week. Together, with Pastor Ed, they represented the ministry during "Missions Week" at Faith Baptist Tabernacle in North Highlands, a suburb of Sacramento. Pastor Ed gave a brief version of his testimony and a ministry update.

   Solano State Prison is on an extended lock down due to an attempted escape in their level three side. Presently Pastor Ed is leading a team going into Solano going through Prison Fellowships "Going For The Gold" program. This lock down has delayed program. There were several security issues that gave the administration concern, so the entire institution was put on lock down until security polices and procedures are re-evaluated. Pray that these issues are resolved quickly so we can continue our program at Solano.

10:50 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

June 11

Prayer Requests for Wednesday, June 11, 2008
(Supplication) Automotive issues for Prison Team Travels
Due to rising fuel costs, there is concern that the Prison Team may need to cut back on their schedule to Avenal; these concerns come at a time when we not only do not want to cut back on the schedule, but are making plans to increase activity on the schedule there. We know the Lord will provide and we will remain in prayer on this topic till we see the fruition of His blessing. Also, it appears that the transmission is going out on the Fogle's Dodge Durango which is their sole source of transportation to and from the prisons.

(Supplication) Wisdom for Michael Carrington
Michael Carrington is the Under Secretary to Gov. Schwarzenegger on CDCR Policy. Faith Based reform is now the focus of Mr. Carrington's office and he has the arduous task of developing and implementing a system that works. Keep him in prayer as he seeks the Lord's leading, guidance and direction and pray for the large amount of volunteers that will be needed.

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May 30

At The Capital with Steve Labins
Bill of the Week-AB 2943-Banning Spanking

California families won a victory this week with the defeat of AB 2943 (Lieber). This intrusive legislation would have banned parents from lovingly disciplining their children using a wooden spoon other instrument. The bill failed to pass the Assembly Appropriations Committee by the Constitutional deadline and is therefore dead for this session. However, citizens should be aware that this type of attack on parental rights will probably come back next year. The author of AB 2943, Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, publicly acknowledged that the tactic of reintroducing unpopular legislation every year until passes has been quite successful for liberals in the legislature. In the meantime, parents can celebrate this victory for parental rights.
Dear Friends,
This is good news. Thank you for your diligence, and let us thank God for His mercy. "Be not weary..."
--
Steve Labins
Executive Director, Golden State Association of Christian Schools
Southwest Regional Legislative Director, American Association of Christian Schools
949.760.2625

1:43 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

April 30

Never Know
Never Know
By Grace Davis
Went back to the jail,
Where I was warmly greeted by the woman who decided not to let her marriage fail.
At the end of the study this week,
She shared with me something sweet.
Days after committing to stick around,
She found out in 9 months she’ll have a baby on the ground.
Just think if she hadn’t made that commitment last week,
The news would’ve been quite bitter instead of sweet.
It just goes to show,
You just never know,
How God’s going to use His word,
To restore hearts that are disturbed.
I’m so thankful I’m allowed to be,
Involved in prison & jail ministry,
As I just never know,
What miraculous ways God will show.
Copyright 2008 by Grace Davis
This week the topic is revenge, which as you can imagine could be a sensitive one. Please pray this next couple of days for the Lord to lead me to the way He wants me to approach the topic and for it to be received by sensitive, open hearts on Friday afternoon.
Thanks,
Grace

10:49 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

April 17

READ THIS STORY BY GRACE DAVIS

LAST TIME

By Grace Davis

Wow, what a day.

Certainly one I didn't anticipate!

Today reminded me it's never too late,

For anyone to emancipate.

This morning my mentoree and I volunteered,

To bring some hungry people some hope and cheer.

Some people delivered chairs, tables and couches,

We were to deliver some food pouches.

When the assignments were handed out,

My mentoree let out a sigh and then a shout,

"I know this family,"

"The one you assigned to my mentor and me!"

Jeff, the Executive Director, said, "No way!"

"We've never had that come into play."

"Who would've ever guessed,"

"You'd be assigned to that person on our list?!?"

As we loaded up the car,

The demons went to work on the old scars,

As the place in which we were about to drive,

Was a place my mentoree had barely survived.

The last time she was there,

She had made the Devil a dare,

Because in the midst of the trial and strife,

She decided to say goodbye to her criminal life.

The last time she was there,

She had her friend's children under her care,

When suddenly the window was busted in,

And the front door was kicked in.

Men in masks threw everything on the floor,

Knocked the entertainment center over and all that it stored,

Rampaged the entire house,

As she tried to keep the children quiet as a mouse.

It was that very night,

In the midst of all the fright,

That she realized there wasn't much she could do,

That she was powerless and needed help too.

The very next day,

She returned to the Hope House to stay,

Realizing she needed to get on with her life,

And put an end to all the strife.

She's now been clean and sober for 40 days,

And is praising God each and every day.

She knows it's still an uphill battle,

But with God & His people she's not getting too rattled.

Today was a significant day,

As she returned for the last time to say,

"I love you, but I'm now walking in new ways - "

"A new lifestyle that's here to stay."

She boldly walked right into the Enemy's camp,

And in the darkness was a brightly burning lamp.

She declared her new allegiance,

Which to her old friends didn't make any sense.

She's now in a whole new place,

That's full of love and lots of grace.

A place full of power through prayer,

Rather than power through pure terror.

Lord, I pray for my dear friend,

That her heart You will mend.

I praise You for her courage,

And pray You keep her from being discouraged.

Already she's a mighty warrior for You,

Who's not afraid of what she might have to go through,

Because any life You give to her,

Is better than the burden she's been dragging behind her.

You have set her free,

And she's eager to serve Thee.

So, Lord, draw her close and keep telling her she's Yours,

Your precious little angel and your strong warrior.

Written 4.11.2008 remembering a day volunteering at Love, INC. - delivering love to a bunch of wanna-be thugs.

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