SOCPM Newsletter | February 26, 2022

Greetings,

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate: The lockdowns continue for volunteers, but now, with a possible date of them being lifted on the horizon.

 

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate: Despite being down a week with illness, God brought forth potential new ministry resources, including Bibles.

 

On the Home Front: With a bit of nudging, my brain cells can recall something almost 12 years ago, and a reminder it is never too late to share my faith.

 

On the Prayer Front - All things family and SOCPM

These are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, despite my lack of an editor. Michelle would like to edit my newsletters (I think she has a deep-seated desire to be an English teacher with a red pencil in hand), but her work voids the time.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate

Though nothing official, I'm expecting the return of volunteers is soon. As of this writing, neither Dixon nor Sheridan is on a full or partial lockdown. That is good news in that the inmates can move about in regular routine, minus volunteers. My prayer is the next SOCPM Newsletter will have me sharing SOCPM is back in both facilities.

In exchanging e-mails this past week with Sheridan Chaplain McClimans, we reviewed who of the 115 SOCPM students enrolled when the COVID lockdown began on March 13th, 2020, only three remain in Sheridan today. Still, their parole dates are not far off; Shaun 03/25, Brandon 04/14, Ronald 05/17. Sheridan will be like a new facility when I return. I'm trying to put a positive spin on it, that it will be an opportunity for me to meet new students. Would you please pray I return to Sheridan by March 18th to see my three remaining guys? Please pray that God will bless me with sincere God-seeking new students. Would you also pray I can build a rapport with the latest men?

At Dixon, James, a student since December 11th, 2013, went home on February 16th. One thing I'll remember about James is his dumb jokes. It seems he had at least one or two every class. James is unique because he was a SOCPM student longer than any other student. His first SOCPM class, 'Know, Understand and Share the Gospel,' was on December 11th, 2013. In my time with James, he knew, understood, and claimed he shared the Gospel on his unit. But only God knows Jame's heart. I was working with James to find him a church, but sadly, the lockdown prevented me from connecting James to a church.

Sheridan Correctional Center Lockdown 99 Weeks; Dixon 5 Weeks 🥺🙏

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate

Working on tasks outside the gate was hampered by being sick for several days. I have those days where I'm feeling blah, but I was feeling lousy enough to go to immediate care, primarily concerned that I at long last contracted COVID. Although praise God the COVID test was negative, the doctor diagnosed it as sinusitis.

The time I spent on ministry tasks was reviewing a list of thirty-plus prison ministry resources someone submitted to me via the SOCPM website. Several were resources SOCPM as already in the SOCPM resource database, but there were several that I will investigate more in-depth that offer free or reduced-cost Bibles.

Though the ESV translation is SOCPM's primary translation, I encourage the men, especially those seeking, or are new believers, to begin with, something that is easy for you to read. I've heard some negatives in my willingness to offer an NLT translation, but it is easy to read and understand translation. Ligonier Ministries provides SOCPM with ESV Study Bibles, but I usually save those for mature believers.

KJV Bibles are not hard to acquire and provide to the students, but despite it often being touted as the 'transaltion direct from the Holy Spirit,' in prisons, it is not easy reading. When I was a new believer, the first Bible someone gave me was a KJV. But all the Old English discouraged me from reading the Bible. Then someone suggested the NLT, and my desire to read God's Word increased since it was easier to read. Those who were KJV advocates warned me the NLT would lead me astray, and the KJV was the only accurate Word of God. But God used the NLT to mature to read the NIV, then the NASB, and now the ESV. However, I often go to various translations of my more in-depth Bible studies. Would you please pray as I investigate these resources in more depth to find a good resource for NLT and NIV translations?

On The Home Front

My last two weeks on the home front have been low-key, too—a lot of mystery reading.

This morning I attended my church's Men's Breakfast, and the speaker was Dr. Rob Rienow of Visionary Family Ministries. I had shared with my community group how I was looking forward to hearing Rob speak since his ministry was on family and how I hope to gain some insightful teachings, personally and for SOCPM. Kevin, the leader of my Community Group, asked, 'Have you heard of him?' I said the name rings a bell, but it might just be I know he is speaking. 

Before going to the breakfast, I checked out the Visionary Family Ministries website, and the time-honored light bulb in my head went on! Rob's book, 'God's Grand Vision for the Home' was a small book I taught as part of the original Malachi Dad's curriculum I taught during my 2nd year at Sheridan way back in 2010. It is a joy for me when those light bulbs still light up now and then.

Rob gave a great talk, and I had time to share with him my teaching his book and a little about SOCPM and more in focused the fatherhood classes. In addition, he displayed 'Healing Family Relationships: A Guide to Peace and Reconciliation' that caught my attention as a possible gift book to SOCPM students who complete the full Malachi Dads curriculum. 

He also had Never Too Late on display, a four message DVD Bible Study for parents to encourage their Christian in their adult children. I said it would be a good teaching for me personally and an add-on to the end of a Malachi Dad's class. I was humbled when he gave me the display set.

I look forward to watching it soon. I purchased an ePub version of Never Too Late (Kindle) when I got home. A much more worthy read than another mystery book.

On the Prayer Front

Cameron -  I had a couple of phone calls with Cameron this week. As best I know, he is staying sober since he doesn't say otherwise, praise God. He is living at the motel in exchange for free rent. Though I'm happy he is working and making an extra effort to help his financial situation., I'm concerned he may be working too many hours, and the past has shown when he over-extends himself, he will relapse. He is looking for an apartment, but he does not have much success because of the eviction on his record. As always, pray for his salvation and permanent sobriety. But would you also pray he finds an apartment, not overextend himself, for Christian fellowship and joy in his day-to-day life?

 

Michelle (aka my lovely bride) - Diligence in working a full and productive week and diligence in staying with the exercise program she recently enrolled in.
 

Self - Big praises. I had a bone marrow biopsy, and the results were negative. Unfortunately, my being sick a couple of weeks ago resulted in my canceling my appointment with the neurologist. I had been waiting since December 5th for this appointment. When I called to reschedule, the next open date was June 5th. Praise God, the office texted me two days later, and there was an opening on February 28th if I wanted it. I did and got it. Please pray that God will give the neurologist wisdom to point to a possible cause of my loss of equilibrium on December 4th? Please pray for my diligence in going to the clubhouse and walking on the treadmill. Finally, please pray I will be diligent in being a dad to Cameron on some of Rob Rienow's points in his teaching.

If you are interested in subscribing to the SOCPM Newsletter via e-mail, contact SOCPM and mention your interest in subscribing the SOCPM Newsletter.