Greetings, in our Lord's great Grace and Love!
There is no limit to what the Lord can do!
This is truly a faithful statement as we watch Him work in the lives of prisoners each day. God is so powerful in turning hardened hearts to receptive vessels. He brings them to an end of themselves and leads them to a true new life in Christ.
Yes the Born Again life is real and we see it each day in the hearts and lives of men and women behind bars. You share in each victory and are a great blessing!
Time grows shorter each day till our Lord's return. The fields are truly "white unto harvest." Now is our appointed hour to reachout sharing the Gospel and discipling men and women in the faith. May we be faithful to continue to answer the call and bring the hope of Eternal life and abundant living to each one.
The new outreaches we've started at Taft and Vinita where Chaplain Rich Bartlett is helping men to grow with many attending his Discipleship Class. They're learning to walk in the faith and reachout with The Gospel to the other prisoners where they are. I'm seeing results in the Tulsa County and Conners Center, too.
God is sooo good and is allowing me to see personal Spiritual fruit I've not seen since my earlier days in the County Jail circuit work I did all over Eastern Oklahoma. Hundreds have responded to the Gospel message these last couple of years with many going on to grow in Christ and share their faith to reach others, also.
I want to be clear, here, this work has brought a heavy cost to myself and many others dedicated to it. I've lost two sons, my original home, and so much more!
I've made a lot of mistakes but the Lord has been faithful to allow me to stay the course and be committed to the call He gave me back in 1974. Back then I left for California to begin the great adventure. After over 46 years in the prisons and jail as well as over 6 years in direct Church ministry, I Thank You Lord! all Glory and Honor goes to You!!! Thank You, too for answering His call.
In His eternal endless love,
Steve Bradshaw
President
Peace to all on the wonderful new year 2025. All dreams are possible when you believe. I believe.
Here we are, another year and another opportunity. Are we taking advantage of these opportunities as we should or are we saying, "let someone else do it." Well, it is being done, but we still need your help. I agree that some should be locked up. But before you judge look at their whole person, not just his final act. Were they born this way - no, they were born this way. Do you realize you are just one step away from being one of these inmates? NOOO, you say - think about it!
Federal Certified Prison Education Services/aka Project HUB is finally on the map. We began our first class at Jesse Dunn in September 2024, and classes at Connor Correctional in October
2024. All the classes we offer are Federally Certified Programs by the federal government. If a student participates and finishes the courses they receive thirty credits, which is fifteen days off their sentence. Also, by completing these courses the inmates are learning how to live and survive in their community, in harmony and not conflict. We started with Victim Impact. This is a 12-week course delving into subjects such as, who is the victim, theft, and its effects on victims, hate and bias, homicide, and making amends. It is often difficult for the inmates to admit they are not the victim, but as we delve into what happened, why it happened, and who is affected by their actions, they begin to realize they were not the victim but the perpetrator. When this happens, they can take responsibility for themselves and start working on how to change their behavior.
These classes graduated at the end of December and January 7, we started three new Victim Impact classes and one study of Anger Management/Conflict Resolution, which we teach as The Circle of Life. They focus on their family dynamics before their birth, on their training and choices up to the age of eighteen, and the part they played in the family, and whether they change at 18 or continue the family path. I say they have a choice at eighteen only because it is the legal age of consent. Once they have the choice, it is up to them to choose their path. Through these classes they begin to see what other options are open to them and how to practice those current ideas, changing their inner thinking and applying it to the new life they are working for.
We are preparing to start two more classes this summer. The first new one is Drug Abuse. The class will deal with pharmaceutical drugs with an emphasis on fentanyl and other legal drugs they have become addicted to. We do not read to the students; we encourage them to participate and take a role, to be open to their ideas and problems they want to overcome. Participation is necessary. This is their opportunity to have a life of order and healthiness.
Our second class is Common Sense. This is the opportunity for the inmates to learn not to follow the crowd, but to think of the positive and negative side of the decision they are about to make, especially when they can find themselves back at the revolving door. It is a method to think ahead and be one step ahead of what might be getting ready to happen.
Sincerely,
Ivy S. Kirk
Executive Director