SOCPM Newsletter | June 2024

Classes Are Back in Session

The road trip and break were excellent and well-needed, but more are below.

Classes are indeed back in session; believe it or not, Dixon was not on lockdown the first week. It was God's will, not luck, but the reality is that Dixon's chaplain informed me that the Wednesday lockdowns are still the norm. He strongly suggested moving my classes from Wednesdays either to Tuesdays or Thursdays.

However, it's important to note that other ministries on both afternoons could draw inmates from my Malachi Dads class, potentially causing scheduling conflicts.

On Thursdays, God Behind Bars partners with churches nationally, which rebroadcast a satellite of their church service and have a volunteer staff present at the facility (Dixon) to interact with the inmates. It is well-attended by Dixon inmates, with an average of 50+ each week.

On Tuesdays, Steve Madawick of New Life Corrections, a partner ministry of SOCPM, teaches Stepping Up. As much as I would rather not have SOCPM classes at the same time, Steve is teaching his class; teaching MD on Thursdays would significantly impact the number of students signing up for MD. Chaplain Thomas gave me a list of inmates who would have conflicts in their enrollments; there were only five, so I've decided to go with Tuesdays as of now. SOCPM is scheduled on Wednesdays through June, but I must let the chaplain know my final decision by June 24th. I ask for your prayers to join me in prayer to know God's will.

As I mentioned in the April SOCPM Newsletter, there was the possibility of SOCPM classes at Sheridan being cut to an hour. Well, classes were cut only from 90 minutes to 75 minutes. The cut will make things a little tighter, but I told all three classes yesterday I'll be starting ten minutes after the scheduled start time.

With orientation week behind us, I'm looking forward to diving into the curriculum. For Malachi Dads, it will be Psalm 1: The Blessed Man, and for Discipleship, The Holiness of God.

I ask for your prayers to not let the setbacks in the potential switching of days and time cuts at Sheridan and other personal trials be discouraging; instead, I'd be encouraged to have full enthusiasm, remembering the days, length, and size of my classes do not matter, God is sovereign over these things I need to be prayed up and filled with the Spirit and seek to do my serving all to the glory of God.

The National Park Road Trip

I won't bore you with a day-by-day recap of my road trip. In summary, the main places visited were: Iowa; Field of Dreams; South Dakota; Badlands National Park (NP), Custer State Park (SP), Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, The Black Hills, North Dakota; Theodore Roosevelt NP, Wyoming; The Grand Tetons NP, Old Faithful, Yellowstone NP. Yellowstone is massive. I entered the west side, drove the grand loop drive, spent a night, and exited the east side.

There were many points of interest along the way. One that may interest any readers who are motorcycle enthusiasts is The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in Sturgis, SD.

Several people have asked me how many miles did I drive. It took a lot of work to keep track personally. Without going into detail, I had three different vehicles, but only two were used for most of my overall trip. According to the Enterprise rental agreements, 4,109.

The memories I came away with are of God's creation: the wildlife, mostly the bison, the size, from the extremely large grown to the quite small young.

One of many Bison in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

Waterfalls and rivers were moments to stop and take a pause and picture of our God's magnificent creation. The stills of the waterfalls don't give true justice to the magnificent power and roar of the rushing waters,

Like the Bison above one of may waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

I don't know how many pictures I took, roughly 500. A good number are duplicates, but many of those I did take were because I saw the beauty of God's creation or a moment of how blessed I was and am to have experienced the National Park Road trip.

Personal Prayer Requests

Cameron has been sober for, I believe, 49 days as I get set to send this newsletter. Praise God! He's attended church a couple of times, which is better than none, but I keep encouraging him to go, not just for the teaching but to build a church family. The biggest item on his prayer needs after salvation is a job. For whatever reason, God has not blessed Cameron with a job. It is a challenge to teach Cameron trust and faith and that God is sovereign what this prayer goes on answered, but nonetheless less it would be a joyful blessing for Cameron. He is applying for positions outside of the serving tables. He did have one offer as a housekeeper at a hospital last week, but because of his felony, it was withdrawn.

It was a year ago today, June 9th I suffered my heart attack. I am still grateful for my friends and church family, who are still keeping on me regarding my diet and exercise.  I did sacrifice some tempting meals and desserts during my road trip. I can't say I was perfect, but I think I did well. I've been struggling more since I've returned. So, I ask for your prayers I can get into a good routine of walking 150 minutes minimum a week, avoid snacking, red meat, etc, and be more consistent on smoothies. Ideally, one a day.

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

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Thank you to those who support SOCPM financially and through prayer.

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