Ruth & Naomi - SCM July 2011 Newsletter

“And she said, behold thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law.”         (Ruth 1:5 KJV)

Greetings in His grace and peace:

The little book of Ruth is a powerful insertion into the Holy Bible.  It is a short story about two women who not only survived but thrived during hardships, trials and trauma.

In verses 1 -5 Naomi has lost her husband and both sons.  She decides to return home from Moab, where her family had moved during a famine in Bethlehem-Judah ten years before. Her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, initially determined to go with her.

Naomi was concerned for their welfare. Several times she advised them to consider returning to their families where they could very likely find husbands and be blessed with children. She wanted them to also consider the gods they had worshipped before marrying her sons.  In her depressed state, Naomi even states “go your way…the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” (verses 12 & 13).

Naomi obviously had  a  great relationship with both daughters-in-law as evidenced by the tears shed as Orpah reluctantly decided to go back.

Next, we are treated to the glorious results of the experienced Godly woman disciplining the younger in faith.

“..but Ruth clave unto her (Naomi).”  ( v.14).

In verse 15, after being exhorted another time to return with her sister-in-law to Moab and the life of her own people and their gods, Ruth made one of the most perfect and complete surrenders and consecration to God ever known in the following two verses.

Ruth expressed her seven-fold earnest, eternal consecration to follow the God of Israel and live the life of a new convert to Jehovah.

            1).  Her plea not to be hinderd: Intreat me not to leave you or to return from following

                   after you.

            2).  Where you go, I will go.

            3).  Where you settle, I will settle.

            4).  Your people shall be my people.

            5).  Your God shall be my God.

            6).  Where you die, I will die, and

                    there will I be buried.

            7).   Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if anything but death separate us.

Ruth’s outburst of affection and her consecration to Jehovah and a life in Israel assured Naomi of her serious intentions and ability to adjust herself in a strange land among a strange people.  Naomi allowed Ruth to journey with her. She lead her to the Lord and then began speaking unto her  - disciplining, teaching, sharing her life with her.

 "When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking to her. (verse 18)

As the story continues in the remaining 3 chapters we discover that Naomi not only discipled young Ruth in the ways of God but also in the ways of the new world where she had to adjust. In verses 11 and 12 chapter 2 Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of Naomi testifies to Ruth’s kind nature and to her trust and love for the Jewish God and her attachment to the Jewish faith. She had a wise teacher.

In chapter 3 Naomi informed Ruth that Boaz was of near kin and could fulfill the law of kinsman redemption. According to this law whoever redeemed the inheritance must also take the wife of a dead brother and raise up seed for him in Israel to keep his family alive. Ruth respected the advice of Naomi and followed her instructions concerning Boaz.

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her ….a son….and they called his name Obed: he is the father of David (chapter 4: 13 & 17).

What a powerful revelation! We learn how the Gentile blood came into the lineage of David and thus Christ the One who became the Savior for all mankind.

This was a joyful ending for faithful grand-mother Naomi whom God restored. He rescued her from poverty and hopelessness. And because of her witnessing Ruth became a woman of God and the great-grandmother to King David. Her absorption into Israelite life and history prefigure the Christian Gospel by which Gentiles are absorbed into God’s church. Ruth is a Gentile (Moabitess) in the ancestry of Jesus.

We are looking for a few good women!

Listen, there are many Naomi’s reading this exhortation who really want God to use them in a more powerful way. There are also some Ruth’s who are ready to become Naomi’s in another woman’s life and this letter is challenging to the both of you.  Please pray about coming alongside one of our young ladies – just be yourself - just make yourself available.

We currently have twelve Paul's meeting with twelve Timothy's.

We currently have one Naomi meeting with one Ruth

But you may think:  I am not qualified… that’ right, but Jesus is…..   So the question is  -  are you  available to share what you know?

You may think: I do not know what to do or how to go about doing it.  Right again.  But the Holy Spirit of God will help you. So the question is – will you trust Him?

We will help you. We will come alongside you. We will pray with you and equip you to go a little deeper with God. We will be conducting a women’s ministry training session soon.

Are you ready? Call me Monday – Thursday.  Here’s my office number: 704-283-3573. Lives are being transformed by God through obedient people serving with Safer Communities Ministry.  This is good ground to sow your money and/or your time. Come go with us.

In Christ,
Al
Rev. Al Lewis, Jr.

PS: A ministry friend recently exhorted me that folks could honor God and help our ministry by remembering SCM in their wills…

May 2011 Newsletter

“Thou  therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in  Christ Jesus; and the things

that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”  (II Timothy 2:1KJV)

Greetings in His Grace and Peace,

Last month I told you about a new word I made up: D I S C I  P  L E R.  This is one who follows Jesus and shares what he learns from Jesus to faithful disciples who will also share what they learn with others who will share with others and so forth.

By the time   you receive this letter, the banquet will be over. Dan and Chris both will have shared their testimonies about their Paul to Timothy relationship.  God has revealed Himself mightily to both men.

Read the following excerpt of Dan’s testimony:

“Choices always have consequences. This is a truth that applies to all of us and one that I teach consistently.  In 2003 my son made some choices. The consequences were a suspended sentence with probation. In 2005 my son made some more choices. The consequence was the imposing of his sentence of from two to twenty years.

Following his incarceration, I also made some choices. I chose to learn all that I could about the needs of prisoners transitioning out of prison back into society. I knew that my son would need all of the help that he could get in order to make that transition.  One of the consequences of this choice was that I became a part of the church class in Colorado composed entirely of former offenders.  I began to learn the challenges that these men and women faced on a daily basis and their need for accountability and encouragement.   When my wife and I moved to North Carolina, I connected with the halfway house ministry of Restoration House.  Not long after starting to attend their weekly meetings, I met a man named Al Lewis who ministered in the local jail as a Chaplain.

After teaching a Bible study for a year at Restoration House, I had the opportunity to provide some administrative support to Al at the local jail.  While there I learned that there was a need for a ministry partner to serve at the local employment office to help ex-offenders find employment. I recognized that God had equipped me for this ministry and volunteered to fill this role. One consequence of this choice was the opportunity to become a paid employee at the employment office, thereby increasing my opportunity to minister to former offenders.

Through this work, I have had the joy of helping many former offenders learn how to effectively search for employment and find productive jobs. One of those men was Chris Ammons.  After he found a job, he dropped by my office. I thought he wanted help with his job; but to my surprise he wanted me to become his mentor in a Bible study called “OnetoWon.”  I have known Chris for four years and have seen him change from a young man full of pride to one humbled by God and eager to grow in Him.  So, I readily accepted Chris’ offer to study alongside him.

Choices do have consequences. Chris has chosen to seek the Lord and obediently follow Him. I have chosen to be a part of Chris’ support team, providing accountability and encouragement.  The consequences for both of us are the certainty that we are making an eternal investment that will never disappoint us.”

Congratulations to Dan for getting out of your comfort zone and into the ministry of reconciliation.

Congratulations to Chris for obeying God and seeking His will. You are becoming a man of the WORD.

I am so proud of Dan and Chris. In these perilous times God is pouring out His Spirit on ordinary people enabling them to accomplish extraordinary things. We are in the ministry of equipping the saints for ministry. Why not check out our web-site: www.mysafercommunities.org and see the areas where volunteers are getting out of the four walls of the Church.

We are looking for a few good men, women and young people. Remember, if you do not share what you know, you are in danger of losing what you had.

It is offering month at Safer Communities Ministry. Please pray and ask God how He would have you respond to this appeal for funds.

We love you.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
In Christ,                                                  

Al

Rev. Al Lewis, Jr.

March Newsletter 2011

II Timothy 2:1,2 KJV

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

GREETINGS IN HIS GRACE AND PEACE!

Using our scripture above I have made up a new word: DISCIPLER

A discipler is a disciple who disciples another who will then disciple others.

When I came out of prison in 1980 God had a man named Joe Hill prepared to come alongside me. On the recommendation of my probation officer he met weekly with me.

This brother and several others contributed greatly to my successful transition from incarceration back into society. God had men discipling me while they also encouraged me to disciple others – “..and the things thou hast heard..” commit thou to faithful men..”

About six months ago I shared in this letter about Joe White’s book, “One 2 Won,” which is being used by Christian men all across the country in Paul to Timothy relationships.

Praise God we have six men ready to start meeting weekly around the Word of God. Remember, “Iron sharpens Iron,” so believer sharpens believer. We are praying about creating similar teachings for women using the relationship between Ruth and Naomi in the Bible.  We are looking for Godly women who will help write some chapters in this endeavor. Will you pray about that? Are you aware of any materials which would assist us?

Have you registered for the banquet yet?

-It is May 7th at First Baptist Church of Indian Trail from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. You will want to hear Randy Shankle. You will want to worship in song with Living Proof.

And, you will want to hear the dynamic testimonies from Chris and Dan about their One 2 Won relationship. We will also have testimonies from family members who have been through the struggle accompanying a loved one in addictions.

Invite someone you know who has a close relative or friend struggling with addictions. Our Addiction Recovery Ministry members are ready to help. Find out more about ARM and One 2 Won at the banquet while you enjoy a first class meal and program.

Sponsors are the backbone of a successful ministry. Please pray about sponsoring a table for $l60.00. You fill it or we will. Individual tickets are $20.00.

We love you and are so grateful to serve with you in His Kingdom.

In Christ,
Al

YOUR PAST DOES NOT DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE

TWENTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET
Call today for reservations – 704.283.3573 or visit http://www.mysafercommunities.org/ to register
** M A R K Y O UR C A L E N D A R S **

On Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 6 pm, we will have our Twenty-Sixth Anniversary Banquet at the First Baptist Church of Indian Trail. The church is located at 732 Indian Trail-Fairview Road. Our keynote speaker will be Reverend Randy Shankle, pastor, evangelist, former police officer and author.

When you experience the dynamic and inspiring message, it will be clear that the hand of God is on the work and the man.

Living Proof will be with us as well. They are an anointed, eleven member, music ministry led by Robby Heath. They travel with us conducting New Life Crusade weekend events four times per year. He has written a song entitled “He’s Somebody’s Son,” that will bless your hearts.

Doors will be open at 5:30 pm and the dinner will begin promptly at 6 pm.

We are asking businesses and/or individuals to sponsor tables for the banquet to help offset the cost of the banquet and allow ex-offenders, chaplains, law enforcement officers, etc., to be our guests at no charge. Each table will seat eight guests of your choice. If you do not wish to fill the table , let us know and we will be happy to fill the table for you. Corporate and individual sponsors will be recognized at the banquet.

Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsor Table Sponsor Individual

$1500 - $1000 - $500 - $250 - $160 - $20

Come and meet those who have been changed by the gospel. Their transformed lives (Romans 12: 1,2) are an exciting testimony to the power of God’s Word behind bars. Buy a table and bring some friends to the banquet. We are looking forward to a great night of fun, fellowship, and an inspiring word from Reverend Shankle.

In Christ,

Al

A WORD ABOUT SPONSORSHIP: When you sponsor tables and allow us to fill them, it means I get to invite, free of charge, inmates who are out on pass, ex-offenders and their wives and others, who are in halfway houses and cannot afford an elegant dinner night out. Someone usually gets saved at the banquet. Sponsors also allow us to expose law enforcement officers and public officials to the work of Safer Communities Ministry.

Sponsors are the backbone to a successful event. Please. Pray. Then ask God how He

Wants you to participate and respond as soon as you can to allow us time to fill the tables.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE SPEAKER - RANDY SHANKLE


Randy was raised in the sandhills of North Carolina and grew up as the fifth child of a retired air force career father, who died when Randy was thirteen, forcing him to grow up fast and furious.

When he was twenty one he experienced a life changing relationship when Jesus Christ became the Savior of his soul. In 1979 he was ordained into Christian ministry and has served continuously since then in various positions of leadership and service, including as a pastor, as a national board member for nine years with the International Ministerial Association, and, as a Chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles in the U. S. and worldwide, preaching the gospel. He has reached as far away as Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Locally, as Pastor of Hope Church in Marshville, N. C., he was employed bi-vocationally as a Police Officer in Union County, serving as Patrol Officer in Marshville, and then as a Public Safety Officer in Monroe, where he eventually headed up a special drug enforcement task force called, POP, (Police on Patrol) created by the former Chief of Police and now Mayor, Bobby Kilgore.

On the streets of Monroe, he became known as the “Preacher Man,” which earned him relationships with not only the citizens but with the drug lords and dealers, as well as those living lives of crime due to their addictions, providing him firsthand experience with those whose lives were being destroyed from the drug culture.

In 2009, a book about his life was published called, “The Protector, The Randy Shankle Story,” which highlighted not only his successful police career, but, ironically, also the haunting true life tragedy of the loss of one of his own children due to the devastating effects of the drug problem in America. The death of Carrie, his daughter, drove home to him in an up close and personal way, the horrors of families in crisis everywhere. Since that dark day in December, 2004, Randy has been on his own journey of healing and restoration from the fallout of suffering and heartbreak within his life and family. He has approached the battle of pain and disillusionment in his own life with a commitment to travel and share his story of faith with those caught in similar situations produced by addictions. He is a seasoned counselor with individuals and families as well as an effective speaker at inner city youth centers, rehabs, churches, conferences and an upcoming segment on Christian television. His story is to be featured on the 700 Club.

His style of ministry is direct, down to earth and infused with humor, which he believes is the medicine to heal our souls when life become unbearable.

Randy and his wife, Patricia, founded Hope Church in 1992 where he is now serving in his twentieth year as a Senior Pastor. They have five children and are now enjoying their eleven grandchildren.Randy is available for meetings if anyone is interested in scheduling him for engagements this year.

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2011

Greetings in His Grace and Peace!

I am celebrating having Sharon Carter in the office these last sixteen months. Her part-time work as Administrative Assistant to Wally and me provide needed service to us. However, as my volunteer Assistant Chaplain and Life Skills for Women teacher, she is being used by God to provide service to every citizen of Union County. Her work contributes greatly to changed lives which produces safer communities for us all. I asked her to give you a report. Now you will know how to pray for her…I love you, Al.
……..
After the busyness of the Christmas season it seems that the Lord has seen fit to bless us by slowing us down a bit with the snow. I don’t think we have seen such a beautiful snow since 1998.

Anyway, as we all reflect on the beauty that we just experienced, let’s not forget The beauty of our relationships and to thank God for each other. You know, we are a unique group of humankind, and, I may say, we are a minority as not a lot of people are willing to go into jails and prisons to take Christ to the masses. Because of that we thank God for you often; for your faithfulness, for your sincerity and for your “grit.” Your “grit” is what God can use the most.

We have had some exciting months here at the jail: The Christmas party for the inmates was held on December 15th. Central Church of God Prison Ministry as well as other volunteers gave life-changing, dynamic testimonies. At the end of the day 65 men and women either gave their lives to Christ or rededicated themselves to a closer walk with Him.

In mid December eight men in E Block came to Christ, and after Christmas twelve women in F Block rededicated themselves afresh and anew to Christ. It was awesome! They are so hungry for the scriptures that I have begun a separate Bible study which occurs thirty minutes before the Life Skills class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They just can’t get enough and, of course, I could teach the scriptures all day. Below you will find a few excerpts from the women’s class when they had to write a brief paper on how Life Skills and/or the Bible study class has helped them. So that I could get several in I have condensed their words somewhat:

“..I have learned to control my mouth and think before I speak and not to sin in anger. I have also learned how to pick my friends and who to trust. I’ve learned that with God all things are possible and that all the answers I need are in the Bible. I have learned that I do not need drugs to get me through hard times. I have also learned “THE SEVEN THINGS I WANT IN A MAN,” and have made this list for myself so that I can remember to measure a man before I even consider him as a date.”

“..I have learned many things in Life Skills in only four weeks. I have figured out how to find myself. The class has taught me that some things that I thought were important are not and the things I thought not important are. I have learned how to set achievable goals for my life. I have also learned about the way I was living my life the wrong way and it was doing more damage than I thought possible. I have a new outlook on life and actually believe in myself more than before. I have learned to rely on God more instead of other sources.”

“..I must admit that while I loathe being taken out of society, I feel blessed to be accepted into this incredible reentry program. I have an entirely different outlook on life because of this program. I am now excited about my life to come instead of being afraid of it. Ms. Carter has given me hope through Jesus Christ and has taught me to look for the light that is right beside us all of the time.”

“..what I have learned is that I am somebody and I can become a responsible human being. I learned that I don’t have to put drugs in my life. I am learning to grow as a woman and not as a child and that I don’t need to worry about my past but to let it go because it is hindering me from moving on in life. I have learned to forgive those who raped me so that I can be free myself. I have also learned to set goals so that when I get out people will see that I have changed and am doing something with my life, and that, hopefully, I can help addicts like me.”

Well, folks, we have hundreds of testimonies just like these. The Holy Spirit of God comes and joins in every session and takes the lead and we just follow. It is very humbling to know that the Lord has placed you where you are and is using you to bring hope. It is also very sobering because you realize the responsibility and the potential for the lives that you are impacting for HIM.

We are very excited about the statistics for ex-offenders who have seen our specialist, Dan Marshall, in December. Are you ready? Dan saw sixty three (63) ex-offenders in re jobs last month. He is mentoring one man who now has a job and an apartment. They meet weekly for Bible study.

Carold Ownbey, who does the book cart and a Bible study for the ladies’ block on Wednesday evenings has been having great success with her sessions. She leads women to Christ, or to rededication, however the spirit leads. Sometimes they sing together and just have a great time.

Jerry Franklin is doing a wonderful job taking the book cart to C and D blocks. This is a vital ministry that helps keep them occupied, not so hostile and out of trouble. We also have a new gentleman, Al Pace, who takes the book cart to A Block on Saturday mornings. This takes about two hours and a half and great patience. I am also working with the Lt. to get a man to take the cart to B block since they are now on lockdown.

So, please pray for Carold, Jerry, Al, Dan, Wally and me as we all continue to strive to bring Christ to those who are hurting, hungry for love, and hopeless.

Sharon

CRUSADE DATES FOR 2011:

March 4th, 5th, 6th DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING: 2/16/11 http://www.mysafercommunities.org/

June 3rd, 4th, 5th click on events/click on the event for 3/4/11

August 26th, 27th, 28th click on register

December 2nd, 3rd, 4th

To learn more about this ministry go to http://www.mysafercommunities.org/