by Miguel (Juan Carlos Caballero)

First of all, thanks be to our Heavenly FATHER for HIS great loving kindness toward us, HIS  people. It’s just because of HIS mercy that I am still alive today. Looking back into my life, I can see that there is no possible way that I could have survived by myself in the world, doing all the wrong things that I was doing.

Now I can tell that nothing else but the protection of the LORD kept me alive. I could be dead by now, but today I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that my Heavenly FATHER, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTTY, the CREATOR of the universe, kept me alive until the day I repented of all my sins and surrendered my life completely to HIM!

And the very same day that I came to HIM  in true repentance, HE forgave me for all the sins that I committed during my life. HE forgave every single dirty thing I did in thoughts, words, and deeds. HE also gave me the power to live a victorious life, to overcome sin, the world, and the devil. HE gave me a new life. filled me with the HOLY SPIRIT; HE also filled me with the peace of GOD, HIS peace, “the peace that passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

When I was living outside for myself, the world, and the devil, I always had this feeling, this void, this emptiness in my heart. I knew that I was looking for something. I didn’t know at that time what I was looking for to fill my emptiness and make me feel complete.

So, I started trying to fix my problems with drugs, money, sex, prestige, and so on. But none of these things was helping me to fill the longing I had in my heart. Instead of helping me, all of these things were just making my life worse.

It was only the day I received JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR that my searching stopped. When HE came to live in my heart, HE filled all of my emptiness. Now I can say with all confidence, I am complete in JESUS, who is the head of all principalities and power (Colossians 2:10). I’m alive! I have the real life, the abundant life, because JESUS lives in me!! Now I can confidently say:

“I’m not just existing, I am living!! ‘

Thank you, JESUS!! My friend, if you are still trying to fill the emptiness of your heart, TRUST in JESUS today. Ask IÆIIVI to come into your heart and be your LORD and SAVIOR. Ask HIM to save you from your sins; HE will do it.

HE is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). With GOD, there is no partiality. HE did it for me, and I-E will also do it for you. I-IE saved me. HE will save you also. Just trust 1-11M and believe HIS WORD. “Behold, I (JESUS) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with ME” (Revelation 3:20).

 by Gary J. Doby

Baseball has been honored as the “Perfect Game” and as “America’s Pastime. ” The ideal distances of 60′ 6″ from the rubber to the plate and 90′ baselines are just right. Three out at-bats and four ball, three strike counts at the plate move the game accordingly. The prescribed rules maintain order and form.

Yet those with a frue understanding of the game recognize certain “fundamentals” and how to best execute them, fundamentals that bring aesthetic satisfaction and victory to the team that performs. The timing and surprise of the “suicide squeeze ” make it the most exciting play in baseball. And following the basic tenet “Never make the last out at third base” can be the difference between victory and defeat.

After nine innings and 54 outs, however, it’s over for the day. The teams go on to pray another day. Yogi Berra famously pronounced: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over. ” Yet, in baseball, there’s always another game or another team.

Life, however, is not a mere “game. ” We are given, blessed with, a limited number of days to live and “once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 10:27). There are no double-headers, not 154 game schedules and no one has the promise of a tomorrow: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

GOD has blessed us in HIS WORD with basic rules and fundamentals to assure us of “Victory in JESUS. ” The commands are clearly given in Exodus 20 and in the WORDS of CHRIST throughout HIS ministry.

CHRIST made the “rules ” clear and established several fundamentals necessary for salvation, victory over the grave. When HE commanded (John 3:7) “Ye must be born again, ” HE revealed to Nicodemus a basic tenet of CHRISTIANITY.

The means to the re-birth are certain. Every person must accept the fact that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD” (Romans 3:23) and that “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD ” (Romans 6:23).

CHRIST has guaranteed that Satan and sin cannot defeat us. Peter stated, “He that believeth on HIM shall not be confounded” (I Peter 3:6). JESUS said that 1—IE came so that “Whosoever believeth on HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Yet HE warned in John 3:18: “He that believeth not is condemned already.

Life is a gift, not a game. But there are fundamentals and rules for living. To “lose” is eternal damnation and separation from GOD.  CHRIST has already provided our victory. Just believe, accept GOD’s grace, and be saved. Where are you today?

“He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the SON -shall not see life;

submitted by Rebecca Stowers

When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow Whose verdict counts most in’ your life is the one staring back from.the glass.

Some    People   might thing you’re a straight-shorting chum and call your a wonderful  guy,

But the man in the glass says you,’re  Only a bum  if you can’t look him straight in the eye:

He’s the fellow to please never mind all the rest for he’s with you clear to the end,

And you’ve passed your most dangerous test if the guy in the glass is’ your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years and get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartache and tears if you’ve cheated the man ih the glass.—unknown

Chaplain Johnson (back); Terrie Dyer (peace & healing); Linda for healing (cancer); Alan Richards (healing/cancer); the entire yard (healing); inmates in the medical ward; inmates seeking relief through the courts; the lost and broken-hearted.

Pray for the peace and prosperity of this yard, for our families, children, and for each other. Pray that we all walk in wisdom to them who are without CHRIST, to be peacemakers, men of character, and that our joy will be full, and that JESUS CHRIST is glorified in each and every one of us. AMEN!! !

“The Mysterious Figure” by Fred L. Durbin

dejected, I climbed out of the car, approached the front door, and just stood there —   motionless... (excerpt from part one.)

The babies yelled, “daddy’s home, daddy’s home, ” as I entered  the house “Play with us daddy, play with us, ” they  pleaded. Disregarding their persistent pleas, I walked in the kitchen where I saw my wife cooking supper. I told her I was going to the bedroom and wanted to be left alone and asked her to keep  the babies out.

The room was dark and stayed dark as I fell upon the bed. Some time later I arose, walked to the closet,

reached up, grabbed the shoe box, and began to feel for the Derringer. It wasn’t there! I knew it had to be there. No one else knew where I kept it, not even my  wife. Dismayed and angry, I returned supine on the bed, and in the darkness, with eyes shut, I asked GOD to take my life.

Half an hour or so later, suddenly, without a knock, the door flew open. Light illuminating from the kitchen made its way down the hall enveloped this huge silhouette. I was mystified! “Who and what?” I thought to myself as this “mysterious figure” entered the room. He calmly walked in, sat on my bed, and began to speak. His words began to penetrate my spirit and soul. The next thing I knew, I was sitting up and crying on his shoulder, literally bawling my eyes out.

After speaking to me, and to this day,

I have no recollection of what he said. He hugged me and began to pray. As he prayed, the presence of GOD overtook my broken spirit and began to heal my broken heart.

I don’t know how long I was wailing and don’t know how long he was there; all I know is a heavy-burden lifted off my shoulders and a peace beyond description overwhelmed me. As he stood up to leave, I thanked him and told him how much relief I felt.

After he left, I arose from the bed, walked to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water, dried off, and walked into the kitchen where I saw my wife loading the dishwasher. The babies yelled out from the living room floor “daddy, daddy.” I gave my wife a kiss, then jumped on the floor, grabbing and rolling with our babies in laughter.

As I sat to eat supper, I asked my wife how her uncle wound up in our bedroom. She replied that she heard a knock on the door, and it was Manuel. Manuel asked me where you were and I told him you were down the hall in the bedroom. He said “okay.” I asked her if she knew he was coming, and she said she didn’t. She said she had no idea why he wanted to talk to me.

Later on that night, as I laid in bed reflecting on the mysterious day’s events, my curiosity began to set in, and I wanted to know how Manuel knew I was in such distress. Before falling asleep, I made a mental note that I would call Manuel the next afternoon when he got in from work. I had to know!

Part three of this three part story will appear in the next edition ofthe “G-1 Newsletter. ”

by John Wood, G-1 Chapter Sponsor

“Brothers I do not consider myselfto have yet taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which GOD has called me heavenward in CHRIST JESUS ” —Philippians 3:13-14

For many years, this has been my “life ” verse. It has challenged me in many ways as a follower of JESUS. Although I have walked with the LORD for many years, like Paul I do not consider myself to have arrived or “taken hold of it; ” with “it” being the eternal glory I will have with my LORD and SAVIOR someday.

I challenge all followers of JESUS who read this to “forget what is behind” and keep “pressing on.” Remembering that we are not running this race alone, that CHRIST is our strength, and that we are day-by-day achieving our eternal glory as we do not grow weary or give up!

by Michael Geiger

(Michael is a prisoner at the Dick Conner's Correctional Center in Hominy OK. This is a message he posted to the G-1 newsletter, an inside newsletter dedicated to the Christian movement, by the prisoners)

I don’t know how, but music can really open the heart of emotions. We see the devil at work every time we turn on the TV, in movies, and in games, yet, I see more movies about faith and JESUS than I ever have before. Then I see a new age of passion.

My hope is that those who have doubt and do not believe, now believe. JESUS told Thomas “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

We all have a call from GOD. As Scripture says, we all have talents that GOD has blessed us with, but we need to take hold and accept those gifts and talents.

GOD can and will move in our lives if we will allow HIM to. JESUS said for us to take heart because HE has overcome the world (the devil).

Take heart in all we do and give glory to GOD in all things, whether good or bad. GOD is with us and has our best interest, at heart.

I pray the message of GOD will be spread by you as well. GOD bless.

Park Plaza Prison Ministry Report 06/15/16

Tulsa County Jail. On Pace to deliver 5,000 Classroom lessons this year into David L. Moss or Tulsa Co. Jail.  Jim Pinkston & Francisco Davila teach the men. Ron Babbet teaches with us men when his schedule allowes.  Four ladies go to the women’s pods every Friday for the last two and one half years, to teach.  Elaine Russell, Carol Siling, Teresa Hawkins and Alison Valentine. Jody Gilkey’s job has caused her to take a break from this ministry for a while.  We have just received permission to teach in the third POD #18 on Thursday afternoons. This will have us teaching in all the lady pods. Carl Moore and Zeth Parkhurst have finished the training and have received their badges. Zeph is teaching with Jim and the hearing impaired. On June 11, 2016 over 100 inmates were baptized at DLM. 79 were the students of the Park Plaza Prison Ministry. Bill Hamrick, Ron Hass and Ralph Hunter Church of Christ preachers also go into DLM between us all the men’s pods are visited each week. So far this year Park teachers have baptized 233 precious souls into Christ at the jail

Creek Co. Jail is a new work started by Terry. He takes Celebrate Recovery into the jail every Monday and on Friday afternoon New Life Behavior.  Due to this ministry going into Creek County, The inmates there studied salvation and 107 were baptized into Christ. Over 20 of these are Terry’s students.  The last time Creek held baptisms was 5 years prior to these. David Stikes now has his badge and is teaching there.

John H. Lilly Correctional Center.  Terry teaches New Life Behavior, Thinking for a change, and sponsors Celebrate Recovery. He is also the Assistant Chaplin. Roger Bentley has received his training and got his badge and has started helping Terry at John Lilly. Bryan Campbell is helping on Saturdays with CR. On Wednesday April 13, 2016 Terry baptized two men into Christ.

Dick Connors Correctional Center.  Jim has worked there since 1990. Elaine started a couple of years later. Jim teaches NLB Lessons and CASA.  He also teaches in the faith based unit and preaches there four evenings each month. Tuesday night Oct.20, 2015 one inmate was baptized during the service the Park Plaza Prison Ministry did. On November 4 another young man was baptized into Christ. Jim and Jody Carmichael, Elaine Russell help and Booker leads singing when he can. Jim’s wife Jean now has her badge and is going with the group to the services there. So far this year we have had four baptisms there.

Prison Apologetics:

Jim Carmichael is about to complete the first course in Christian Apologetic training at Dick Conners Correctional Center. This class will be continued, and we will be starting a new session very soon.

Correspondence. 35 packages of 6 to 7 lessons mailed to many prisons in Oklahoma.  Every two weeks = 228 lessons x 2 = 456 per month or 5,472 per year.  We have several helpers that show up every other Tuesday night to grade all of these and get them ready to mail. John Ulrich is helping with this work each week. Many of these are people we studied with at Tulsa and Creek County Jail and have gone on to prison. This is one way we keep up with them.

Re-entry program. (Hope City) It houses four men at this time.  Randy Milam is the onsite manager.  We have the space for five.  Two units are being remodeled to where it can handle seven.  We also have a RV that is being plumed at this time to where it can house one making the total eight.  One of these men (Bryan Campbell) is being trained to go into the prisons and be a full time minister like Jim Pinkston and Terry Finch.  He has a degree in bible and masters in drug & alcohol counseling.  Through the ministry he was funded for these while incarcerated.  He will receive his badge in January. In the last year and one half over twenty men have been helped and are closer to Jesus because of this great ministry. Two of these men have their own business today and employ several ex-offenders.

Advisory Board.  The board is made up of eight men.  James Ivy, Ken Williams, Steve Stade, Scott Blackwell, Gary Medley, Mark Clayton, Randy Milam and Kevin Neiman.  Jim & Terry are the recruiters for the applicants.  The board decides who is approved to enter the reentry program.  They go by a set of guidelines approved by the Elders. The board also oversees the operation of the program.

Future Plans. To continue with the programs that are now being successful and just see where God leads us in 2016.

Baptisms from this work

2010                            94

2011                            109

2012                            139

2013                            259

2014                            406

2015                            382

2016 Jan Tulsa County 56 March Tulsa County 85 As of April 1 2016 Dick Connors 6 John Lilley At Boley 7. = 154 plus 79 at DLM 6-11-16 = 233 So Far in 2016

Total                          1622 Since 2010 That we know of.

To put this in perspective, 1622 would more than fill first & second service at Park Central. 

Impossible without your support.

“Jesus did it!!!”

THOSE WHO GO FOR SERVICES

 AT THE DIFFERENT PLACES

Jim Pinkston

Terry Finch  

Elaine Russell

Booker Murphy

Jerona Robey

Jim & Jody Carmichael

Francisco Davila

Carol Siling

Teresa Hawkins

Alison Valentine

Jody Gilkey

 NEW WORKS FOR 2016

Tulsa County Jail

Carl Moore & Zeth Parkhurst  have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the hearing impaired at Tulsa County Jail.

Lori Varnell & Jan Upton have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the ladies with the other Park Plaza ladies at Tulsa County Jail.

Creek County Jail

David Stikes & Jody Gilkey will soon receive their training and receive their badges and start teaching at the Jail.

JOHN H. LILLY CORRECTIONAL CENTER

Roger Bentley, Brian Campbell and John Ulrich will receive their badges and start teaching at this prison with Terry.

Dick Connors Correctional Center

Jim Pinkston has started teaching in the Faith Based Unit. This is a program where every inmate in the unit is a believer in God. The men stay in this unit for eighteen months and spend there time studying Gods word.

Jim’s wife Jean is getting her badge and will start going to Dick Connors with the group soon.

Jim Carmichael will start teaching Apologetics the first Monday of April. That is how to defend the Christian Faith.

New Classes will begin the first of July on Tuesdays.

by Jarrod R

“…chose you this day whom ye will serve…” – Joshua 24:15

The vision I have for the Faith and Character Program here at DCCC is that it continues to strike deep in the hearts of all those who are truly trying to change and better themselves, taking accountability for the choices they have made ad will make.

Sice we are all in the business of making choices, m hope is that before these choices are made, some thought goes into them.

Many of us get caught in the moment and regret some of those choices.

Having a relationship with GOD will point us in the right direction “GOD is faithful b whom (we) were called into the fellowship of HIS SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Since there are consequences to every action, and the choices you make today could be the situation you deal with in the future.

Spreading kindness and positive vibes can only benefit all those who are involved. The love you have for your fellow human beings is the love that you shall receive one way or another! 1 John 4:7 commands: “Beloved, let us love on another; for love is of GOD.” Pay it forward and you shall be blessed beyond anything you have ever known.

Change is not easy, but it is always necessary as the world turns; so we shall move with our best foot forward and our heads to the sky, leaving a positive print on this earth that never will be destroyed. Love yourselves and love each other. JESUS said; “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” – John 15:12.

Remember, it is never too late to change.

The FCCP is looking for individuals who have made up their minds that they want something different out of this life and realize they have something positive to contribute to humanity.

We are looking for those who truly want to change for the better.

“…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

by Gary J. D—  (inmate & “inside preacher”  in Oklahoma prison system)

GOD’s words given to Isaiah through the HOLY SPIRIT are rich in prophecy, particularly in warnings of the impending judgments to fall upon the nation of Israel. The book, written during the time of the divided kingdom, speaks of the coming MESSIAH, and although “the Church “is not mentioned in the writings, the implications are prominent, especially in chapter 7, verse 14. In that passage, we’re introduced to “EMMANUEL.”

In Isaiah’s words, we learn much about our HOLY GOD As HIS  attributes, expectations, and promises are made clear when HE deals through HIS prophet, with a rebellious, divided nation. Isaiah presents a Chrystal clear view of GOD’s grace, of the judgments to be unleashed upon the enemies of GOD’s people, and the blessings to be extended to the Gentiles through the MESSIAH.

GOD’s grace and HIS kindness as our loving FATHER are evident. The guilt of sin having been established (v.15, “your hands are full of blood”), the “white as snow” imagery of v.17 demonstrates the power of GOD’s grace to purify the greatest iniquity and remove the guilt of sin. Verse 19 stresses that forgiveness is the product of true repentance. GOD’s HOLINESS demands this cleansing and HIS GRACE provides forgiveness through obedience.

Our HOLY GOD requires praise and worship from us today, just as HE did in previous ages. Psalms 146-150, among others, begin with “Praise ye the LORD.” Chapter 25 in Isaiah is a song of praise, and it asks for GOD’s favor upon Israel. Within this chapter, GOD’s loving empathy is identified: “HE will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces” (v.8). We are to “exalt” GOD and Praise” (HIS) names (v.1).

Israel has been taken captive in exile and all is seemingly hopeless for this destitute people, chosen by GOD. Israel, imaged as a “barren woman,” is told to “fear not; for thou shall not be ashamed” (54:4) The “shame” and “reproach” of Israel’s sins was the catalyst for its captivity in Egypt, its exile in Babylon, and for its dispersion, at the time of Isaiah’s writing (712 B.C.); the future kingdom, prophesied here, will be a glorious time of redemption.

Galatians 4:28, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac, are the children of promise,” speaks to the promises of GOD to Christian believers because we, also, are “spiritual heirs” to the promises given to Abraham (3:29). We, New Testament Christians…the church…have “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in CHRIST” (Romans 8:16-17)

Through rebellion and captivity, GOD remembered HIS people, Israel, and HIS promises to them. Isaiah, often acknowledged as the chief prophet, created a prophetic portrait of redemption and an undeniable image of GOD’s unlimited grace and faithfulness.

As CHRISTIANS, GOD’s nature and attributes are made even more clear because we have the words, works, and promises of the CHRIST, “GOD with us,” as prophesied in Isiah. “Fear not,” for HE is the “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 21:6), the  “LORD of GLORY” (James 2:1) and the “LORD of all” (Acts 10:3, 6). Have you trusted HIM with your eternity?

“And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON.” – 1 John 5:11