Serving Prisoners and Returning Citizens

Feature Writer: Julie S. - Volunteer

            During Remembrance Church’s Vacation Bible School in the summer of 2006, I met Linda Bright.  Carl and Joanna Gunn attended this church.  Linda was the one to get me out of my comfort zone with a drama skit.  Then in the Fall, along with my teen-aged daughter Sara, I became involved in the kitchen at New Community Church preparing and serving food for Community Recovery on Friday nights.

            This Fall, Linda applied to Grand Rapids GiveCamp, through the Johnson Center, to develop a web site for Living Water Prison Ministry Network and Living Water was one of 50 non-profits to be accepted.  This organization believes non-profits need web sites, but not at the non-profits’ expense.  GiveCamp is funded by ** and the technical assistants donate their time and expertise.  Linda invited me to work on the web site development with her.  We spent an entire weekend, Nov. 13-15, at the Grand Rapids YMCA with five technical assistants Most of the technical assistants got 2-6 hours of sleep during the weekend!

            Our site was created and up and running by the end of the weekend.  Praise God!  It has been very exciting and, as usual, Linda got me out of my comfort zone again in maintaining the web site (which is OK, I don’t mind).  The site continues to be  developed, section by section, as I learn new technology, tools and procedures to keep it running effectively, so please visit it often. Please check out our new web site for Living Water Prison Ministry Network: www.livingwaterpmn.org.

Inside the Walls Serving Prisoners

            At the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, the Celebration Church, a church behind the walls, has services every Monday.  Pastor Rich Reinstra is the outside lead pastor who works with Chaplain Dan Thompson on the inside.  The men inside lead the majority of the service, have their own deacons and elders, while surrounding churches have men come in and attend services. 

            On the last Sunday in November, Jim attended a special Sunday inside service where communion was served.  The gym was filled with about 100 men.  Jim has also attended the Monday services, as well.  The men love this service; there are approximately 30-35 guys who regularly attend.

            At the Muskegon Correctional Facility, the Bible studies continue every Tuesday evening.  On the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, volunteers facilitate the Celebrate Recovery® Inside classes.  Pray the men and the volunteers continue to be blessed as they attend and serve the Lord.

Outside the Walls Mentoring Returning Citizens

            Mentors provide weekly spiritual support, make an encouraging phone call, write a letter, perhaps provide transportation, or just have a cup of coffee with a Christian returning citizen.  Sometimes all a man needs is a good listening ear.  God provides the timing for the willing.  Many men are lonely and bored while diligently seeking employment.  As we work with those who have often graduated from the Celebrate Recovery® Inside classes or attended Keryx, we find the men are eager to serve the Lord.  They volunteer to serve, with a joyful heart wherever needed, to give back to the community that is helping them transition back into society.

            Locally, volunteers are needed to transport men to job interviews, appointments, Community Recovery on Friday nights at New Community Church on the NE side, Bible studies, and Sunday church services.  One-on-one or small group Bible studies are greatly appreciated.  Hearing and discussing the word of God brings hope.

            To begin volunteering, please mail: LWMN, P.O. Box 566, Comstock Park, MI 49321 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fill out a volunteer application online: www.livingwaterpmn.org.

Ministry Home for Christian Returning Citizens

             On Oct. 19. Sylvester moved into the Ministry House Living Water is managing.  He has been busy cleaning up the yard and sprucing up the inside of the Ministry House; both were needed.  His sponsor, Brian, has been an encouragement and support this month.  Sylvester has his driver’s license and is in need of a car for a job and for attending church activities.  He has experience as a heavy equipment operator.  If you can help, please see contact information above.

            Jim continues to mentor Kirk on a weekly basis.  Kirk also attends Community Recovery on Friday with many of the other returning citizens and church volunteers working together to serve supper and dessert to 150-200 participants who enjoy worship and over ten on-going support groups.

Outreach Ministries 

            Exodus is transitional living from missions, prisons, and shelters to society.  A former jail detention three-story building has been updated into individual rooms for Christian homeless men who need housing.  New Community Church is collaborating with Exodus and we jointly served a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with everything donated.  Praise God!  What a wonderful experience for the men living there and for those who volunteered.  God is awesome!   We pray this ministry will continue to grow in His Glory.

Executive Director’s Message – Jim Bright 

            Living Water was blessed to be chosen for GiveCamp, a weekend-long event where software developers, designers, and database administrators donate their time to create custom software for non-profit organizations.  Linda and Julie, along with the technical assistance spent many long hours on this project.  Thank you both.

            It is the end of the year and we are thankful for each one of you and your faithfulness in prayer and donations to the Living Water Prison Ministry.  God is definitely leading in a powerful way.  He has lead several men to Living Water who we have been able to provide housing and part-time employment.  Although the economy is as it is in Michigan, because of your continued support, we have been able to come alongside these men and lift them up in the Spirit of Christ.

            As you prayerfully consider your end of year giving, even if you have not given in the past, please think about the difference you can make in a man’s life transitioning back into society.  As you know, every little bit advances His Kingdom.

            As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we would like to wish you a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given:  and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Is. 9:6 

 Please make donation checks payable to Living Water Prison Ministry or LWMN. 

      Your contributions are tax deductible to this 501 (C) 3 non-profit ministry organization.