Greetings,
It's a wrap! As in the winter term 2015/2016 class have come to a conclusion.
It was one of the most challenging terms. In large part because about 40% of the enrolled students were not getting passes to attend classes on a consistent basis. Plus, I saw quite a few long time students parole. A good thing for them, but I come to really love these guys and having to say good bye is bittersweet for me.
However, with their being paroled opens up spots for new students. When my Friday evening class ended, I asked three new students when their parole dates and with tongue in cheek I said 'good, I'll have you guys for awhile.
Despite the challenges I'm blessed to serve God in the teaching of His Word to sometruly repentant men, seeking to live lives to glorify God and enjoy Him.
A final note, a prison ministry colleague, more a friend then colleague has been diagnosed with cancer. He's been truly a longtime servant to the kingdom. I chosen not to share his name to respect his privacy but our omniscient God knows him quiet well and I ask you pray for him and his loved ones.
To Him be the glory
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
DISCIPLESHIP: A SOLDIER'S CALL TO KNOW GOD
Dixon Correctional Center
Douglas - Pray how to be a Christian man and what a great and caring loving woman want to be with, how to live like a Christian and how to be made in how to walk like a Christian.
Richard - I need prayer for strength in resisting lust and adultery in my heart, for a problem with masturbation. I also need prayer for reconciliation with my son and my daughter and other members of my family.
James - Praise please for God's continual past miracles and prayers for victory in the appellate court. God is bringing daily prayers and blessings for you.
No name - I'm still having issues with my lustful desires. Can you please continue to pray for me while we don't meet on Wednesday. Can you please pray for the Bible study that is in the housing unit 27 that It may continue to grow. Pray also for all the brothers and sisters throughout the world that God can give them their daily needs.
Rod - Lord, answered prayer for immediate, temporary financial relief for my wife. thank you for your prayers. We are now asking God to bring a long-term solution of more financial givers to her missionary service with One Way. Pray for Cathy please please for God's provisions.
Steven - My family and me to stay strong in the way of ministry to open up, because I believe by faith that God has called me to teach the Word to the people.
Sheridan Correctional Center Afternoon
Brandon - I ask that God continue to strengthen my relationship with Him and my wife, thanks.
Peter - Please pray for me I have been having a hard time during this last month staying out of trouble.Pray that I just say smooth and look at the big picture don't fall into temptations. Please pray for my dad he fell off a building when he was working. Pray that he feels better soon find out why he blacked out and thank God he's alive. Please pray that I go home on May 20th and stay home and no matter what happens me and my family stay strong. Please pray me and my family come together and become closer to each other and that we all walk in the way God wants us to. Please pray for my brother, he was at a halfway house and he left and fell back into addiction. Please pray he stays safe.Please pray that after this class I stay n the Word and don't stop. Thank you.
Sheridan Correctional Center Evening
Stephen - Please pray that my strength and knowledge in the Lord is improved. Pray for my wife and four kids to be blessed and protected. Thank you, have a blessed day.
Isaac - Pray for my brother Pastor D. that God give him the increase in the youth program. Pray for God to use me when I get released to be a blessing to my family. Pray for my children Ricki, Tawana, Isaac Jr. and Clarence.
Curtis - Thank you Scott and whoever else is involved. Please pray for this ministry, that God continues to give you whatever else to strength to keep spreading the keep spreading the word and helping others to come to have a relationship with God. Please pray that my parole site gets approved. I go home 6/10/16. Please pray that I have the courage continue to remain teachable. Thank you. Amen.
Brad - This is my last class here. I pray that I can apply all that I have learned on the outside here and be able to help others and set a good example for my daughters and hopefully be able to get others in my family to come to Jesus. Please pray for my mom and her addiction and then some.
John - I pray for my niece who might have a drinking problem and who has been abandoned from her mother. I continue to pray for my parole site and I maybe able to parole at home. I pray that I may be able to minister to others and especially inmates that are at McHenry county jail when I get done with parole.
Paco - Please pray that Paco returned home to Hammond IN. Please pray that Scott continues reaching out to those that don't know God teaches them and continues by reaching out for those who are lost. God bless Scott. Please pray that particles son Daniel Ricky comes to live with his father Paco. Please pray that God bless Paco with the finances he will need to have a good life. Please pray that I feel see releases Paco on time see his loved ones again. Amen.
Martin - I want to pray that my wife and me get back on talking terms. Also my brother and I back to talking terms thank god for that. Also I just want say thanks a lot to Scott. I learned a lot out of this class.
CHRISTIAN LIVING: A SOLDIER'S CALL TO RENEWING FATHERHOOD
Dixon Correctional Center
Class resumes May 4th, 2016
Sheridan Correctional Center
Michael - Father I pray for my mother Pamela she's going through a lot. Her first son is in prison, battling her second is off to college, battling my father ???. She's lost and continues to lose a lot of weight and struggles financially because my father. Please Lord I pray for her health and financial struggles Lord. I'm confused and finding myself in life right now. I love my mother dearly for promise. You promise will never give me too much to handle and I pray and trust you to know how dearly I care for my mother and we kind of rely on each other for emotional support in our lives and I know you know neither of us would handle losing one another. Also you know my struggles with my fiancé, son and trying to hold my family strong as one. I pray Lord bless me with either the blessing of acceptance and ability to grow no matter what and or for the blessing of knowledge and wisdom to know what to say, how to be, how to fix and what to do successfully continuing growing with my family as a whole. Father in your Son's mighty holy name Jesus I pray.
JD - My family, Meinardo, lost souls, Westcare counselors, authority, military and God's as where to go.
Jamie - please pray I am going home. Please pray for my wife and our kids. Please pray for our families. Please pray for me I'm scared. Please pray for everybody in this prison.
SOCPM Student Alumni
Admission/Transfer/Other
Dontee
New Life Corrections
Pontiac MSU; 06/2013
Admitted to R&CC Stateville 03/31/2016
Anthony
New Life Corrections
Danville; 07/2012
Admitted to R&CC Stateville 03/31/2016
Cleatius
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 08/2015 thru 08/2015
Admitted to R&CC Graham 04/01/2016
Paroles
Christopher
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 08/2015 thru 08/2015
Paroled 04/05/2016
Kevin
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2016 thru 01/2016
Paroled 04/05/2016
Carl
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 03/2015 thru 05/2015
Paroled 04/06/2016
James
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 03/2012 thru 01/2013
Paroled 04/06/2016
Austin
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 05/2015 thru 12/2015
Paroled 04/07/2016
Ryan
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 05/2015 thru 07/2015
Paroled 04/08/2016
Ryan
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 10/2015 thru 01/2016
Paroled 04/08/2016
Discharges
John
New Life Corrections
Western Illinois; 03/2015
Discharged 04/04/2016
Virgil
New Life Corrections
Danville; 07/2012
Discharged 04/05/2016
Mark
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 08/2015 thru 09/2015
Discharged 04/05/2016
Angelo
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2014 thru 01/2014
Discharged 04/07/2016
Ministry Partners
Sycamore Baptist @ DeKalb County Jail
Matthew - Please pray in the name of the mighty Lord that my family makes it through these hard times of the burdens placed upon them. as well the Lord to be the judge during my upcoming court date, that he'll release me when he feels the time is right. pray for my children and wife for great health and to practice patience and for a healthy granddaughter to come into this world this month. I pray for this and the father's name. Amen.
Henry - My prayer request is for nonbelievers that the Lord in any shape or form He will touch their hearts and learn about Him and seek Him. I pray that for Brothers believers that He keeps on shaping us in his way. I pray that He keeps on polishing our spiritual armor and sword. I pray that He keep on giving us the strength that we need to keep striving forward and not to give up. I pray for family and friends that the Lord keeps up in his protecting hands. I pray for my lawyer that the Lord enlighten his mind and that this citation can finally come to a conclusion. Thank you and God bless.
Tyler - Please pray that God will reestablish communication myself and Katherine, the motherof my son and daughter. Pray that she also will develop a faith in Christ. For my personal spiritual health, pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen my understanding and my hearts desire to know Him fully. Lately I've been really undisciplined so also pray for that. Thanks!
Todd - please pray for all the believers who are struggling with their faith.
Andrew - Please pray that those who are prosecuting will show reason and mercy. The Lords will be done. Please pray that God can help me to be content with where ever He chooses to put me and that I'll be able to embrace whatever His will for my life may be. Thank you! Amen.
Terrainus - Pray for us and keep teaching us the word of God.
Walter - Pray as all of us to just be free to love God and understand that He is and always will be there for us and to give us the knowledge to do better in life.
Jeremiah - Another important court date was canceled and the blow to my spirit was great. I then had a mental breakdown and having trouble getting back on track. pray for my mental illness into be reignited. I am feeling very depressed and stressed out. Thanks for coming and God bless you.
Wesley Prison Ministries @ Illinois River Correctional Center
No name - Keep me and my loved ones, my baby momma and Scott M. in your prayers.
No name - For reconciliation w/ my son.
John - My friend peter has a broken ankle, pray for his recovery and for his business at home.
No name - For the Lewis family.
thank you
No name - For my mother's family, that God provide.
Jermaine - i wish for all to say special prayer for God to keep us close after my grandmother's life threatening injury and cover our sins w/ the blood of Christ.