Greetings,
There definitely have been better weeks.
Two students in the afternoon Discipleship class suffered the death of a loved one. Paul's stepson, Oakie, died of an overdose and Jackie's mom, died septicemia after surgery to stop internal bleeding. It appears both individuals died last Saturday, but they were notified until Monday, resulting in neither of them being able to attend the funerals.
I could sound off on the lack of compassion by IDOC, but I won't. I do ask you to keep both Paul and Jackie and their respected, loved ones in prayer.
The absence of a chaplain has already being felt. Many men did not get passes, the person in charge of passes informed me she would not allow any new enrollees, transfers to other classes other than work conflicts and anybody she sees hasn't been coming she will remove. The last is understandable, but a lot of guys have been missing because of not getting passes, COs not letting them go or being turned back because of arriving late even if less then five minutes.
I will be sending the individual a list of students who are on the class lists and explain the reason for absences and to please not remove, but the guys knowing her reputation say it is unlikely.
Please pray God will soften the heart of this person and to have compassion on these guys.
The one high note was after a few delays, Michael (Hello, how are you.. my name is Michael...) was paroled yesterday. Praise God! Michael is one of the softest and caring hearts I've been blessed to serve. Please keep him in prayer that he transitions well. Pray that he attends and is welcomed in a church I recommended him to attend.
Despite the frustrations is a joy to serve God to disciple these men.
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
( 2 Timothy 4:5 )
To Him be the glory!
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
Discipleship - Studying, Interpreting, & Trusting the Bible
Dixon Correctional Center
Wayne - Please pray that I am able to get through to my girlfriend and my Christian brothers about how the prosperity gospel is false and how they need to get back to believing out the true gospel. Thank you.
Bruce - God Father who art in heaven, your will Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for Your grace and mercy. that we all shall come together in peace, harmony, and lots of love for one another. Thank you, Jesus, for Scott and his family always walk in the comfort of You. Bless each man here and their families through these times, by strengthening he them with a collective unity with a collective unity of great people to continue in their lives with good things to share with them in Your wonderful Son's name Jesus Christ Amen.
A. C. - Lord Almighty thank you for this day and your provisions given to us. Thanks for the love and grace given to us by Your Son, Jesus. May you be each of us here at Dixon and our families. Please keep us safe and out of harm's way. Bless Scott and his family. Pray that we get a good chaplain and make Chaplin Tarantino be in good health. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ron - Kenny Justin as he is going through physical therapy. Mom Ruth's health. She's on oxygen and has emphysema. Job when I go home in December 2018. Pray I work on my goals and get them written down
Sheridan Correctional Center Afternoon
Brother Jeffrey Ray - I thank the Lord for blessing me with this day to be in service of the Lords will for my life. We pray together for the men of Sheridan to be obedient to the Lord's will, for us to obey the authority put in place by the Lord here at Sheridan. We ask that the Lord touch the hearts of those in authority to be righteous and faithful in their roles. We pray for former Chaplain Phillips and ask the Lord leads her to a position of help others in prison somewhere. We pray for the appointment of a new, anointed in the Holy Spirit and chaplain of the Word to speak the Word and the spirit here in Sheridan.In Jesus name, Amen.
No name - Please help with my depression. Please clean up my warrants. Keep my family healthy and safe, Including my dogs. Please help me with my anxiety and patience. Please help me get through this prison experience and never ever come back. Keep me on the right track. Bless me with positive thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Please bless me with good luck and wise choices.
Sheridan Correctional Center Evening
Randall - Please pray for me I am leaving present on 11/5/18 and feeling a bit nervous and anxious. I pray, my mother Kathy's health is good. I pray to be able to be back in my dad Steve's and stepmom Vickie's lives. I pray to be successful out there. I pray for my whole family. I pray for Dawn, my best friend. I pray for Ivana my girlfriend or used to be I don't know what to do about that whole situation that's a tough one I need to find the strength to do what's the best for everyone. Not to be selfish but I could really use a prayer. Please and thank you.
Louis - Pray for my family, that God keeps His hands on them, and that I continue to seek Him out daily and in grow in wisdom.
Christian Living: Malachi Dads - The Heart of a Man
Dixon Correctional Center
Lewis - I am going to be released with no parole on March 7, 2019. I have nowhere to go or no one there for me at all. I do not know either one of my kids. One is Tiffany, she's a grammar school teacher. My youngest is four years old. His mother has gotten married and I don't even know what he looks like. I need some real help. Forty-eight years old and it feels like e it's me against the world.
Christian Living: Malachi Dads - Family Restoration
Sheridan Correctional Center Early
Aaron - Prayer that God will guide me to good Christian people on the outside to start building relationships with.
Allen - I would like you to pray for my fiancé's father And for my relationship with my fiancé everything stays fine okay and can you pray for all of our safety and our well being and as well families, enemies, the homeless, rich and poor. Pray that the good Lord continue to shower us with His mighty blessings and that He continues to lead us in the right direction in today's society. In Jesus name I thank you. Amen.
Robert - Please pray to instill more self-control over my impulsive behaviors as well as the health of Grannie Loretta. Amen.
Sheridan Correctional Center Late
Byrant - "Ask and you shall receive." Heavenly Father, I come to you in a position as an inmate. I am humble and I am currently seeking your guidance. Trust and believe that is all that is needed. Let's continue our relationship. Amen.
John - I would like to pray for my family and friends. Also, I would like to pray for those who need and want prayer. Also, that I will be blessed to go home to my family for the holiday. Thank you.
Gregory - Prayers for my family and friends. My kids and myself. Thank you! And other people.
Taurus - I would like you to pray for my family and me to keep a strong, powerful and just let God. We do love Him and pray to keep my family together. Thank you.
William - Dear God, I come to You humbly and with great patience. I ask of You to open new doors in my life once released. Lord I also need Your spiritual guidance and comfort. Amen.
SOCPM Alumni
Percy
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan: 03/2013 thru 05/2013
Discharged 10/22/2018
Dennis
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 05/2015 thru 11/2015
Discharged 10/22/2018
Bradley
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 05/2015 thru 04/2016
Paroled 10/22/2018
Willie
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 12/2016 thru 03/2017
Admitted R&CC Stateville 10/22/2018
Michael
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 05/2016 thru 09/2017
Discharged 10/22/2018
Barney
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2016 thru 10/2016
Discharged 10/22/2018
Channing
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2015 thru 04/2015
Sheridan; 02/2016 thru 04/2016
Discharged 10/22/2018
Andre
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 11/2016 thru 08/2017
Admitted R&CC Stateville 10/24/2018
Felix
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 10/2015 thru 12/2015
Paroled 10/24/2018
Thomas
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 08/2014 thru 12/2014
Transferred Big Muddy 10/24/2018
Maurice
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 08/2015 thru 11/2015
Paroled 10/24/2018
Jacquese
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 07/2013 thru 09/2013
Admitted R&CC Stateville 10/24/2018
Shannon
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2016 thru 07/2016
Admitted R&CC Stateville 10/24/2018
Derek
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 07/201 thru 07/2018
Admitted R&CC Stateville 10/24/2018
Joseph
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 01/2018 thru 07/2018
Paroled 10/25/2018
Cornelius
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 10/2017 thru 08/2018
Paroled 10/25/2018
Martin
Soldiers of Christ
Dixon; 01/2016 thru 02/2016
Paroled 10/26/2018
Andrew
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 12/2016 thru 02/2017
Paroled 10/26/2018
Michael
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 07/2017 thru 10/2018
Paroled 10/26/2018
Michael
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 02/2018 thru 10/2018
Paroled 10/26/2018
Corey
Soldiers of Christ
Sheridan; 04/2017 thru 04/2017
Transferred Robinson 10/26/2018
Wesley Ministries
Illinois River Correctional Center
No prayer requests received from ministry partner.