Greetings,

Week 20 of the lockdown 😞.

And it looks like it will not be ending anytime soon. I had a couple of conversations with Chaplain Leon at Sheridan this week. Another case of COVID at Sheridan. That’s only two active cases at Sheridan. However, when volunteers can return will depend upon if I DOC will open up a facility after a facility meets an objective in COVID-19 cases or all of IDOC. Two active cases at Sheridan and one at Dixon seem surmountable but statewide there are 28 inmates and 60 staff with active cases of COVID-19. Prayers are needed.

As for what is happening with SOCPM over the past week, first, there was no message this week, Pastor Joe took a week off to be with family. As for providing teachings to the inmates at Sheridan, things should start soon, hopefully, this week. I’ve decided for now to bring in teachings by truly gifted teachers. I may insert one by me at some point but not to start.

I spent a good portion of my week putting together some material by various teachers. First I contacted the ministries of some teachers getting permission to download material from YouTube or other internet resources, burn to a DVD, and then broadcast on a prison’s internal network. I do not want to steamroll along and then all of a sudden be contacted by a ministry who heard of what SOPCM is doing and have copyright issues.

So far I’ve received permission from; Desiring God - John Piper, Grace to You - John MacArthur, Heart Cry - Paul Washer, Living Waters - Ray Comfort. I’ve contacted but have not heard back from; H. B. Charles, Stand to Reason - Greg Koukl and Voddie Bachman. There are others I still plan to contact and possibly some who have not come to mind. Please pray, a prayer of praise for the ministries who have given SOCPM permission, pray that those who I have to yet hear from will reply in the affirmative. Especially Voddie Bauchman, he is a great teacher and I think he will be well received by the inmates. I will continue to search for new messages as God leads me.

In my communications with Sheridan, I also talked with the person who will be responsible for broadcasting to answer a couple of technical questions. I hope to deliver some DVDs to Sheridan this week and let things begin. Pray, I can discern out of the library of teachings available to SOCPM which ones to deliver, especially ones with a strong Gospel message. Also, pray for those watching, this broadcast will go out to the whole prison. A population of well over 1,500 men. After a few weeks of hopefully God-glorifying weeks, I plan to approach Dixon to see if they can do the same.

I’ve also been praying about SOCPM on Zoom and it is there where I, as of now, will do teachings on 2 Timothy. I’ve not yet chosen a start date but most likely after I return from my mom’s memorial Saturday, August 15. Pray for attendees, I have a list of former SOPCM students I plan to contact to get a feel for interest. Also, pray I can get permission from IDOC to invite parolees. They have a policy volunteers are not to have contact with parolees, but I’ve heard there are exceptions if the contact is ministry-related. It would be a true blessing to have this approved. Not only for students still on parole and I can find, but it will be an opportunity to invite currently incarcerated students to remain connected to SOPCM when they parole.

I can expand on all these things but I then get concerned I’m too long and boring you and of course if it happens to be short I’m concerned I’m exhibiting a lack of passion and SOPCM doesn’t appear to be bearing fruit. Pray, I stop worrying so much 🥺, and just trust in God as to how it is received by you 🤓.

I hope to share with you next week that more ministries have given copyright permissions, an interest in SOCPM on Zoom by a few discharged SCOPM students, and possibly permission to teach via SOCPM SOCPM students on parole.

Until then, may God be the voice I respond to in my stewardship of SOCPM.

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)

To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Special Note: After posting SPR I received news Brian a former SOCPM student died from an overdose. Brian was a student who was in that special part of my heart. My fondest memory will be when I gave him 'The Reformation Study' and he exclaimed "I've never seen a Bible with so much stuff." Then next week he had highlighted a lot of Scripture. Brian was a SOCPM student from March 2017 until his parole in February 2019. Please pray for his wife Britany, family, and friends. Brian was 35. Only God knows one's heart, but Brian did exhibit a saving faith while he was a SOCPM student.