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POST OFFICE BOX 40562 WASH INGTON, D. C. 20016 703-759-4521

September 24, 1982

Dear Mr. Blackwell: It was good to meet you at our reception and dinner on Wednesday evening. I enjoyed very much the time at our table over dinner. I know that you intended to take this information that Chuck Colson had asked me to give to you. The move from one room to the other after dinner I am sure accounted for it being left behind. You may not really need this but I want you to have it in case you do. Thank you for coming Wednesday evening. I do hope that you enjoyed the evening. I am your wife was unable to attend. Sincerely,

~Secretary.

''A bruised reed He will not break... " Isaiah 42:3 Colson Radio Commentary to 200 Radio Stations (via IMS)

This was an especially nostalgic week for me, invited as I was to return to the White House for a luncheon meeting that President Reagan had for the heads of denominations and religious groups. The purpose was to exhort the religious community in America to do more in the area of meeting human needs, an especially urgent requirement in view of federal budget cutbacks.

The President made an articulate and effective appeal, and in my opinion, he's absolutely right. Then, in the question session which followed, the head of a major mainline denomination challenged the President. "We've been doing this, Mr. President," he said, "but now we're worried that the government wants to put the welfare burden on us."

It's funny how we're never very bashful about telling others what to do, but the moment we think somebody is telling us what to do, we get very defensive. This leader sums up the views of a small minority of churches, I think, who resist the President's initiative because they say he is confusing charity and justice. According to them, the church is supposed to be involved in charity and government in justice, but who says justice is not the business of the church? Are. we supposed .to only be raising money for the United Fund or for church building drives?

Nonsense, we're to be the conscience of society, the source of its moral vision, and what's the motivation for charity if it's not God's love and His corollary demand for justice and righteousness, which comes right from holy Scripture. See, that's been the trouble for fifty or more years. We've deluded ourselves into thinking that government has all the answers. Just pour more money in, build a government agency, create more programs. Well, money alone can't produce justice or meet human needs. But when the church gets involved, that brings in the human element. That restores our sense of caring for one another, our spirit of community. It's the spiritual dimension that bureaucracies can't achieve, and that's why the church ought to welcome the President's challenge and not turn defensively away. The President is right because he's only reminding us of our Biblical call, and we can ignore the head of state if we want to, but we can't ignore the King of Kings.

This is Chuck Colson in Washington. ._s-;---===...J "A bruised reed he wilt not break,

L L----, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. n .____ ,...... , ______,______, lsalah 42:3

The Monthly Newsletter of Prison Fellowship March 1982 • P .0. Box 40562 • Washington, D.C. 20016 • 703/759-4521 Agape House: Missouri s Ministry of Love hen her husband began doing tacted Janice Webb. To Sister Heaney, downpayment, in just six weeks; a time at Missouri State Prison in Mrs. Webb was the "only logical person Christian attorney did the legal work for W., . Jefferson pty, Sheila Clark0 . to get the job done." free. In September -the tenants vacated; knew the trip across the state and her Janice Webb, a volunteer who had then, after two months of backbreaking limited funds wouldn't stop her from been coordinating PF activities in the cleaning and renovating, on November visiting him. So she took the few dollars area for three years, had seen a lot of l, 1980, a sparkling new Agape House she had, bought a bus ticket, and inmate hurts and family needs. When opened its doors. boarded a Greyhound in Kennet bound for Jefferson City. When she arrived five hours later, she had no idea what to do next. She had heard that other families visiting inmates slept on park benches or under bridges. She was afraid to do either, and it was getting late. Tired and confused, she asked a cab driver for directions to the most inex­ pensive hotel in town. Instead, he told her about a guest home especially for families of prisoners: Agape House. She found her way to the large Victorian home, just a block from the prison. The house manager welcomed her warmly, and showed her to a guest room. Sheila was thrilled at the rate: only Agape House Janice Webb, right, and other PF volunteers three dollars a night. The woman also attending a PF conference in Wash­ meet with inmates during a seminar. gave her a Bible. Sheila accepted it ington, D.C., she heard another vol­ Agape House is not just a place where - polite! , bttt--wasn't read,- to-Tead it. For unteer deseribe a hOSi_,litalit hause for families find a bed, bath, -towels and a now it was enough that she had a warm inmates' families in West Virginia. The toothbrush. Something deeper is com­ room and a bed. idea kept coming back to her as she municated to the families who stay Sheila's story is not unusual. More than pondered the needs in Jefferson City. there. It is the certainty that someone half of Missouri's prison population is So Janice Webb went to work cares. incarcerated in the Jefferson City area, mobilizing her community. And before The women who oversee the house yet they come from Kansas City and St. the group even had a house, they had a are key testimony to that truth. Mildred Louis, hundreds of miles away. Wives, name and a goal: "Our sole purpose is to Taylor, the house manager, is a widow mothers, sisters and children of inmates provide agape, Cod's unconditional who served as a missionary volunteer to come from all over the state to visit their love, to prisoners and their families." Indonesia. "I had prayed to the Lord men. And since late 1980, many have An Agape House Board was formed when I left Indonesia, 'wherever You found shelter at Agape House. of Prison Fellowship volunteers and want me to go, let them contact me,' she The story of how Agape House came other community leaders, all deeply said. to be is a wonderful illustration of what committed to the needs of inmates and Indeed, it wasn't long before Janice can happen when people care. their families. The result was a pioneer Webb telephoned Mildred with an offer Before Agape House, Prison Fellow­ ministry in Missouri, and one of the few to work at Agape House. She had no ship volunteers hosted many inmate of its kind in the nation. previous experience with inmates or families in their homes, but they couldn't In May 1980, the Board found an old their families, but felt sure God wanted handle the swelling numbers. Local rooming house a block from the Mis- her in the ministry. So, she left South Carolina for Missouri and Agape House. Since the ministry could not be shouldered alone, Lunette Bouknight, a friend of Mildred's, later moved in, Sister Ruth tteaney, the project's assistant manager, also lives at the House. Deeply involved in prison minis­ try and criminal justice reform, Sister Ruth Heaney spends much of her time traveling in prisons throughout Missouri, visiting inmates who have no one else to care for them. Mildred Taylor describes their work simply: "We minister love to them. Of course, we- are open to discussing the Bible with them-each guest receives a New Testament with the plan of Sister Ruth Heaney 1.unneffe Bottknight, left, and A young guest at Agape House. salvation clearly outlined-but some are Mildred Taylor, right. not open at all at first. So we are a community leaders and state organiza- souri State Penitentiary. The two-story sounding board for them to talk. The tions also saw the need. So Sister Ruth stucco with nearly a dozen bedrooms Scriptures say that 'it is the love of God Heaney, a Roman Catholic nun on the and threekitchenswasgoingfor$46,000,. that brings men to repentance.' We just Criminal Justice Commission of the a price Janice Webb calls a "miracle of share that love." Missouri Council of Churches, con- God." The new Board raised $5,000, the Continued on page four 0 Name has been changed according to her request. WALL • Claymont, Del. One small miles to Texas to escape the As one inmate posed for his And now the Smiths will group discussion at the Clay­ consequences. picture, he broke into a huge not only be living together for mont seminar in mid-January There he struggled with a grin-one of the few during his the first time, they'll also be focused on Christ's forgive­ growing conviction to set his incarceration. "Why are you working together, running ness, and the need for us to life straight. Then he read smiling?" asked a PF volun­ the Kittanning Country forgive others. One woman Born Again. He accepted teer. Club's kitchen. Don, an tensely told the group of her Christ, returned home, and "Because," the man re­ accomplished chef, will head deep struggle with feelings of turned himself in. Now he sponded in broken English, up cooking and management hatred 'toward her lawyer, looks ahead to a lengthy "my people will be so happy to while Charlie will be in who had wronged her. prison sentence. know that I'm alive." charge of hiring and super­ vising waitresses. Both see The next evening she re­ But he faces it with Christ, • Claymont, Del. Don and turned noticeably relaxed and and wrote recently to PF: "I Dona Fieldhouse, PF volun­ their new assignment as a free of her bitterness. She told am determined to use my teers in Delaware, took on a tremendous opportunity for the group why-she had knelt sentence in a constructive way big project several years ago. ministry to the rest of the in her room the night before, for myself, my fellow inmates, They mortgaged their home staff. "We're so excited," says prayed, and forgiven her at- and the prison administra­ as bail for a young offender, Charlie, "God keeps blessing torney. · tion." . Betty, who then lived with us~it's almost too much!" them for several years. · During that time Betty slowly came to know the Fieldhouses as parents, and she grew to know the real meaning of love-something that had always been equated with sex in her violent and abused past. It was not an easy process, as Dona Fieldhouse describes it: "You've got to be able to love tough; you can't love Delaware volunteel' Barbara Hand (left) a11d inmates en;oy m1 e11th11siastic si11,ging session. easy." Yet the struggle was worth it: today Betty, now 22, • McAlester, Okla. There was • Atlanta, Ga. During the has accepted Christ, is mar­ Don and Charlie Smith at their no question about how in­ Christmas rush, the harried ried, working, and attending wedding in FebmanJ 1980. mates at McAlester's Women's store clerk thought he had seen evening classes. She's come a • Washington, D.C. Prison Unit felt about the PF in­ everything, but then PF Geor­ long way, slowly transformed Fellowship wants to say"thank prison seminar earlier this gia State Director Pat Gallo­ by the power of God and you" to Ronald Humphrey year. When instructor Carl way came in and asked for people who cared enough to who was incarcerated in Husband tried to give partici­ 1,500 packs of Polaroid film. take her in- when it wasn't Alexandria, Va. on January 2.5 pants a rest period after a full But for Galloway .and.a team.of ~ · following-"'thrne and one-half day and one-half of lecture Prison Fellowship volunteers, "My dream is that more years of fighting appeals to the and discussion, they asked to the unusual request was just couples will be led to provide 15-year sentence he received as forego the break so they could a result of FBI' s Operation share more of God's Word. At "Magic Dragon." the end of the seminar, in Humphrey, a USIA com­ appreciatian, they sang "We munications watch officer Think You're Someone Spec­ during the Vietnam War era, ial" to both instructor Hus­ was discovered exchanging band and their own Chaplain information from the U.S. Marks. through a Vietnamese contact e St. Louis, Mo. When PF in an effort to release the instructor George Saltau first woman he loved from Com­ met Becky, she was an inmate munist-run postwar Vietnam. in Texas. "She was a very During his trial, while in­ angry woman," Saltau re­ carcerated in a Virginia jail, called, "having been incar­ Humphrey read Chuck Col­ cerated for 10 years. Her two son's book Born Again. He girls were seven and eight Claymont seminar instructor Alan Chambers and inmate graduate wrote to Chuck: "I was saved when she was put into prison UndaDavis. when I was 14 and attended and when she got out, of church and Sunday school course, they were 17 and 18." part of another way to minister halfway homes, not houses," regularly. But as an adult I fell Now, several years later, to prisoners. says Mrs. Fieldhouse. away . .. My experiences have Becky again participated in They took their film and 12 Kittann4:!g, Pa. Two ears brought a reawakening ... I one of Saltau's Pnson Fellow­ ms amatic cameras m o e after their wedding, Don and have had an experience of ship seminars-this time as a Atlanta Penitentiary. There the Charlie Smith are finally 'rebirth' in Christ." volunteer. Her first visit back prison's unit team counselors setting up house together. Once released on bond behind the walls was to tell took individual photos of the Married while Don was in pending his. appeals, Hum­ residents at Missouri State more than 1,000 Cuban pri­ prison, the couple have been phrey became involved as a Prison what Jesus Christ had soners detained there. It was a able to see each other only on PF volunteer. He worked with done to change her life, that Christmas gift from Prison weekends during his work­ inmates from federal prisons . He was her Savior. Fellowship and the Atlanta release program for the past in PF's Washington Disciple­ • Albemarle, N.C. Paul Christian community. year. Yet their love has ship Seminar classes and in­ Hart• seemed like a model Pat Galloway organized the grown. Charlie says, "You side state prisons. He also did citizen. He was a church project, raising funds from have to make Jesus Christ some free-lance writing for deacon and Sunday school area churches and individuals; your first love, not your PF. teacher as well as a successful the idea came from Chaplain husband. We make a lot of Humphrey will be trans­ lawyer. But for the past six Charlie Riggs. "It was one of mistakes in our lives by ferred several hundred miles the best Christmas gifts the years that facade had hidden putting a worldly love ahead from his family to Danbury, men could have received," practices of embezzlement of Him. But when I love Conn. to serve his sentence. Riggs said. "They had an and forgery. Last summer Christ first, He gives me Please pray for strength for almost childlike joy to have a those secret dealings came to more love for Don than I both this brother and his photo they could send to their light, and Paul fled 1,500 could possibly have on my family as they confront some 0 families in Cuba." Name has been changed own. " very difficult circumstances. r------ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW------. "But, Lord ..." T here is an old saying that man's how it will sound on that day, promised New York may represent a tough extremity is God's opportunity. And in Matthew 25, when our Lord ways, "I question: do we really mean what we although our nation's current budget was a stranger and you did not invite me preach and profess? crisis is a choice example of that adage, in," and the religious leaders respond, The problem in New York, I believe, there are some churchmen in New York "but, Lord, you didn't give us time to is that church bureaucracies have be­ who certainly missed their cue to study the proposal." come just as complacent as government respond. So when put to the test, the church in bureaucracies, so wrapped up in writing A recent survey revealed that an New York worried more about protocol pious statements of faith and issuing estimated 36,000 homeless men and and prerogatives than human beings. It press releases that they have forgotten women have been wandering New was more concerned with heating bills their reason for existence: to proclaim York's streets at night. The city's maxi­ than homeless people huddled against its the Good News and obey the clear mum shelter capacity is just more than doors to escape sub-zero winds. commands of our Lord. But I cannot 3,500 and the budget is already over­ Those homeless in New York are a believe that those quoted in the Times loaded, so a few weeks ago Mayor Koch painful example of a truth we must face. are representative of the vast majority of appealed to the city's religious leaders Government cannot provide all of the concerned pastors and caring laity for help. If each of New York's 3,500 answers; our country can no longer across this country. places of worship afford annual spending binges which We dare not fail to seize our'oppor­ would care for just only end in bloated budgets and double tunity. To jump into these areas of need 10 homeless people, digit inflation. That is immoral, just as if and meet people's crying concerns is a a desperate human the government were to stick its greedy bold leap of faith. It may upset our problem would be paw into everyone's savings accounts or comfortable lifestyle. But that is what quickly solved, pensions, dipping out a hefty.IO percent being Christian is all about. without huge gov­ to feed its insatiable appetite. And we can do it if we will. Consider ernment expense. But to correct our staggering deficit the Atlanta project, when we took six The churches' re­ is a big job, requiring big cuts. So the convicts out of prison to winterize two actions were not budget axe is falling-on grants, welfare widows' homes (see January JUBI­ quite what the may­ and aid programs-and tragically, it's LEE): and the Agape House ministry or had hoped for. the poor who are getting it in the neck. described in this month's cover story. According to The That's the dilemma. When govern­ These are tremendous examples of New York Times, some religious leaders ment cuts back, as many, myself needs being met by a church which is were miffed at first learning of the plan included, believe it should, the poor who faithful to its biblical call. They prove through the newspapers. Dr. Robert have grown dependent on its programs the job can be done-without red tape, Polk, director of the New York City are left stranded. To tum away from using not a penny of .government Council of Churches, said: "The mayor their needs is just as immoral as money. has never mentioned this to me. He has rapacious inflation. Christians should be What an opportunity it is for evan­ not called and nobody from his office especially sensitive to this, for scripture gelism! When those in need see that the called to apprise me of this." clearly commands us to share God's church genuinely cares for them, they A spokesman for the Roman Catholic special concern for the needy. will listen to our message. Archdiocese sidestepped in a different So the budget crunch can be either an That challenge ought to cause us to · :, . "It is a ¢er}' 'C'O'lftPleX' situation and insoluble crisis, like in New York-or a spill out of our church offices, get up out the remedy will be complex." Rabbi tremendous opportunity. As I've written of our pews and go into the places of Paul Hait of the Board of Rabbis spoke before in this column, these times human need, respond as Christ com­ for the Jewish synagogues, " ... there are present an historic challenge for the mands. If it does, government austerity problems of implementation in many Church to do its biblical duty, to step in may not be such a bad thing after all. churches and synagogues. During the and take up the burdens of the needy winter, many tum off their heat at night." which we have too easily passed off to According to the Times, the consensus big government. But if we simply nod to was that the religious leaders needed that truth without doing _anything about time to evaluate the proposal. I wonder it, we are hypocrites. So, the homeless in

punished in other ways," he said, and bility to the community. "The offender credited the existing massive prison owes a 'debt to society,' " Colson said, Colson Testifies overcrowding to to this "indiscrimi­ "and community service offers a much nate incarceration." more appropriate way to pay that Pointing out many examples he has 'debt' than does isolation and festering on Criminal seen during his own imprisonment and in prison." Although PF's recent through Prison Fellowship's ministry in Atlanta Project (see January JUBI­ more than 225 of America's prisons, LEE) was not an alternative to Code Revision Colson emphasized that prisons do not imprisonment, he told the committee it In his first appearance before a deter crime. is an example of community service congressional committee since the "All criminal offenders must be beneficial to both offenders and Watergate hearings, Charles Colson punished," he said. "No one questions community members. testified February 5 before a sub­ that. Swift and certain punishment is Asked by subcommittee chairman committee of the House of Representa­ the greatest deterrence to crime, even Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich) to tives Judiciary Committee on criminal more so than a severe punishment describe Prison Fellowship, Colson justice. which is not certain." related his personal experience with With 10 federal inmates partici­ Restitution and community service Jesus Christ, his incarceration and pating in the Prison Fellowship's 33rd are two ways he emphasized that subsequent return to prison for Discipleship Class and nearly 50 PF provide positive alternatives to in­ ministry. "I couldn't forget the hurts key donors, volunteers and staff carceration. Restitution, he said, re­ and needs inside," he said. members sitting behind him in the flects an awareness that victims are too "I have been very impressed by your hearing room, Colson pointed out often forgotten people in the criminal testimony," Rep. Conyers said at the several issues for the committee to justice process because the offender conclusion of Colson's remarks. "I have consider before voting on the revised must confront the personal conse­ been skeptical of many conversions, criminal code. quences of his or her criminal acts. It but the Chuck Colson I met on the "Our major concern with proposed restores the victim and contributes to judiciary committee and the one I meet revisions is that they fail to differen­ reconciliation between victims and here now really gives me a renewed tiate strongly enough between those offenders. confidence in the work you're doing." who should be punished by imprison­ In addition, community service Transcripts of the testimony are available ment and those who should be emphasizes the offender's responsi- by writing to Prison Fellowship. Continued from page one jail ... thanks for opening my That love touched Sheila PF Canada Witnesses eyes to the plight of those Clark's heart. After dis­ whom society has forgotten. covering Agape House, she Praise God, but for His grace I came back month after month. God's Power in Prison would be among them. She also began reading her Under Dave Farrell's lead­ the Bible in small and large CJ.,., Maryland Bible. One evening, during a ership, Prison Fellowship Can­ groups, talked and laughed spontaneous discussion a­ ada's ministry spreads to 6 of over refreshments. My wife and I have just round the dinner table, Mrs. Canada's 10 provinces. In At the final communion returned from our weekly Taylor asked her, "Are you November, Herman Heade worship service Herman Bible study at the correctional interested in becoming a was invited to teach a seminar asked several inmates and institution ... I wanted to write Christian?""! wasn'ttoosurein in Edmonton, Alberta. volunteers to participate. "I and affirm what God is doing the beginning," she said, "but I Although Herman did not gave an invitation to receive through Prison Fellowship. It am now." And Sheila prayed to receive clearance to enter Christ, and at that moment all is beautiful to see men and receive Christ. Canada until the day he was to of us saw the greatness, the women with such hunger and Many visitors find new life at travel, and although he en­ power and the mercy of God thirst to know God ... (He) is Agape House. One explained countered some opposition at work," Herman said. "As I certainly working behind the in a letter to Mrs. Taylor: from Canadian airport Im­ embraced the men standing in walls and in the hearts of us "Staying at the House meant so migration authorities, he knew front I could not hold back the volunteers. I'm constantly much to me. I read the Bible God was going to do some­ tears. We all praised God and reminded that humanly I you gave me~I've been1rying thing special at the Novem­ wept openly." would not elect to associate to reaffirm my faith for ber five-day seminar in Ed­ But God was not finished. with the residents, but through months. I read more ... and I monton, Alberta. After the service was over, the Jesus I can love them and they prayed and was washed clean Edmonton, the city, is clean group stayed together for an can love me. of my sins." and well-to-do, surrounded hour of sharing. One of the D.V., South Carolina Another wrote: "The last by some of Canada's rich oil first to speak was Big Steve. "I night I had $13 left to get home fields. Edmonton the institu­ was born a Jew, an Orthodox Recently I participated in an on, and I saw another woman tion, is about 12 miles from the Jew, and I will die a Jew," he in-prison seminar. Because of who was in greater need than I city and houses more than 150 said. "But now I know what the men inside and the teach­ was, so I gave her half. I knew inmates serving rather severe the true name of God is God would provide. I went to sentences. through this seminar. His ing of the instructor, I am changed. The seminar opened bed feeling good that I could, Because many of the nearly name is Jesus Christ." my eyes to the mighty work of with God's help, do something 30 community volunteers that "Together," Herman said, God behind those walls that so good for someone." participated were families, the "we actually witnessed the many ignore. seminar had a unique family institution go from a place of That is the message of May God continue to bless flavor. The 40 inmates who tension into the magnificent Agape House. With God's and guide Prison Fellowship. attended were just as unique. love of God flowing through help, we can meet the needs of Know that you have my daily Some were serving life, others each of us. I was blessed by others. And Agape House prayer and finances when they lesser sentences, many were being in Edmonton. I shall stands not a~ a monument, but are available. skeptical and asked probing never forget my visit there and as a living example. Janice B.B., Oregon Webb describes the challenge questions. Some were Chi­ the way God showed His well: "The Lord ha~ done it­ nese, some Korean, some power." we have seen His hand. We French-speaking. One was an want people to hear about Orthodox Jew. "Big Steve is a Agape House and say, not'look huge man-6'4", 270 pounds­ what they're doing in Mis­ a former biker serving a life Chuck Colson souri,' but, 'if they are doing sentence," Herman said. "He March 5 Cl, Boise, Idaho made it clear to everyone that Recently I read Born Again Meeting with Correc­ that there, what would God tional Commissioner, have us do in our com­ he was born a Jew and will die and Life Sentence. Thanks for PF dinner, Boise, munity?'" a Jew." But God was to do your ministry to these most Idaho some great things in this group forgotten people. I admit that I 6 Governor's Prayer of dissimilar people. have wanted to see law­ Breakfast, Boise, Born Again in During the week inmates breakers behind bars, but I am Idaho anUnited States, our staff 30018. has expanded recently to include Cordon D. Loux Al Lewis, North Carolina state Executive Vice-President The monthly newsletter of PRISON FELLOWSHIP

Volume V. Number 10 P.O. Box 40562 • Washington, D.C. 20016 • 703/759-4521 November 1981 CHANGING THE WORLD: THE WITNESS WITHIN he U.S. Senate Chaplain built in the iSOOs-lies another prison. has repaid his victim and found a good challenged Prison Fellowship at its Thick stone walls and double cell cbors job he's had for the last two years. T Third Annual Leadership Con­ separate men in the Maximum Security 'Without the exposure and knowledge ference, October 1-3, to be an authentic Center (MSC) from the rest of CCI's I've gained through working with Prison witness within the Body of Christ. Dr. population. It is there that David Zeller, a Fellowship," Borman said, "I'm sure that Richard Halverson, giving the keynote local businessman and PF volunteer, is today John would be serving a five- to address, said, "Again and again locked up with five inmates twice a twenty-year sentence in the state conventional evangelism (done prof es­ month for Bible study. penitentiary in Richmond." sionally) impacts the world from the When Zeller en­ Reports of the "witness within" were outside, but it does not penetrate the ters MSC, his similar from co-workers overseas. world. Christ within us can." possessions are put For two years, Halverson called upon the more than into a bucket and Don and Georgia 100 of PF's 6,800 volunteers from across hoisted up to the .. Rendle, Canadian America, 16 PF representatives from 11 guard's loft in the .,,,. nationals, have countries around the world, and 12 Zeller catwalk above. He is spent every day in inmates from PF's 31st Discipleship escorted to an empty cell, where inmates · prison in Colombia, Seminar gathered in Alexandria, Virginia are brought handcuffed, one by one. The Rendles South America. to be "witnesses within" wherever they door clangs shut, locking the men What started as the request of are. together for one hour of Bible study and government for cultural programs has "Authentic biblical witness," he said, prayer. resulted in the Rendle's ministry to the "is like the parable of the seed. When a This is the first time in nearly 15 years "whole" man. Mrs. Rendle, a registered, seed is sown, it disappears, it penetrates any Christian witness has been allowed nurse and accomplished musician, is able the soil. When it's working, it's invisible. in MSC-a reform Zeller credits to the to give prisoners needed medical care, as That's the way it is with our witness. No ne..v administrator, Warden Levitt. well as spiritual care through gospel onecan touch lives like the Body, It says something about the music. 1ne program includes Bible _ penetrating all of society." commitment of volunteers from South studies, work training, seminars and Over the next two days of workshops, Carolina that, when they realized the sports activities. According to the discussions and training sessions, expenses of attending PF' s training Renclles, the multi-faceted prison participants saw the wisdom of Dr. conference were too high for them, the ministry gives them credibility with both Halverson's teaching unfold. Business­ group traveled together in a motor home inmates and officials, and enables them men, retirees, inmates, pastors, and camped at a site near Washington to show the love of Christ in every area laypeople from the United States and and commuted to conference sessions. of life. abroad witnessed stories of the world One of the most exciting things about Rev. Chacko has been preaching in being changed by Christ working Prison Fellowship is the variety of ways India's prisons for eight years, where through people in prison, in churches, in God uses the "witnesses within." There 250,000 of the country's 700 million high places, in far-away continents. was even a story of a "witness within" a people are incarcerated. Although India There were PF criminal trial jury. is a primarily Hindu volunteers in the Gene Barman's first assignment on nation (only three United States like jury duty was to sentence a young percent Christian, Sandi Holder. A offender who had pleaded guilty to and much of that Texas homemaker stealing a set of tools. Borman, a nominal), the pri­ and businesswo- volunteer active with PF for several years sons are open for Holder man, Mrs. Holder in Leesburg, Virginia, cmcovered during Chacko Gospel preaching spends every Friday in jail. She says God the hearing that the defendant was a and Bible distribution. Chacko, along used Matthew 25:34-46 to convict her­ functional illiterate who had been duped with seven chaplains, four of them ex­ she had ministered to the sick and by his partner to offenders, spends about 20 days each helped the needy, as the pa.sage brunt of the month traveling from prison to prison in commands, but-she had never visited ~~:e three of-India's 24 states. Thework is not prisoners. Reading Chuck Colson's book The jury's re­ easy; there is little support in terms of Born Again confirmed the call she felt to e. sponse to the case volunteer help or finances. But in spite of prison ministry, but Mrs. Holder ran a was varied-some that God has used this witness. Nearly highly successful interior design business, Bannan members talked a- 2,000 inmates have come to know Christ and her time was very limited. bout a five-year sentence, others thought and Chacko is optimistic about finding Sorting out her priorities, Mrs. Holder he should learn his lesson and serve 20 ne..v ways to minister in the future. came to a startling conclusion. She cut years. But Borman was able to convince 'When the front door is closed," he said, her interior decorating business back to them to give the young man a nine­ "we have the mandate to open the roof 12-15 hours a week and became a month work release assignment coupled and the windows to preach the Word of volunteer chaplain at Bexar County Jail with restitution. The judge agreed. God" in San Antonio. To Mrs. Holder, the While the young man was on work Representatives from Great Britain decision was obvious: ''I knew I could release, Borman organized Christian reported 3,000 volunteers enrolled as serve the Lord as an interior designer, volunteers to meet with him weekly. prayer partners, organized in but I also knew that I must invest my lite They shared the Scriptures and helped communities where prisons are located in something clearly of eternal value, not him learn to read and write. Supported throughout the country. "Our goal is to temporal." Her priorities have now by the concern and encouragement of surround each prison in the country with changed, and prison ministry comes right the Ch,ristian community, the young man Continued on page two after family and church. ' . .

Then there was David Zeller from .. . .lf;~ °"'-interested in l>e,;qming a PF volunteer, write /Qr in/onna­ El Columbia, South Carolina .. Inside the . tk,n:.Priscm Services J)epartment, Prison f'ellowship, P.O. Sox walls of South Carolina's old Central 4056a, Washington, D.C'. 20016. Correctional Institution (CCD-a rison lll~IIINI) '11 111~ 111111~1~ WASHINGTON, D.C. As Verna Broady, RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina State Director Tom Metts' a graduate of the 25th Washington disciple­ late July staff seminar, attended by 18 area correctional peo­ ship seminar now working in PF's inmate/ ple, focused on correctional staff as agents of growth and volunteer match-up service, sorted through positive change within their institutions. Chaplain Phil Carter a stack of completed applications, suddenly of the Women's Correction Center in Raleigh commented, one form caught her eye. She recognized "The seminar was a peak experience for me. I saw that I Bro_ady the name of a childhood neighbor and fam- shared in many of the same hurts and aspirations as others; ily friend. The man was incarcerated at Butner FCI, and though therefore I feel less alone. I was affirmed and cared for by the he had already been matched with a local PF volunteer, Verna group-I left the seminar with a renewed vision and wrote him a long letter. encouraged." She told him of her conversion to Christianity while in prison. Interested participants will pursue further study in weekly "You know how I was in the world," wrote Verna; she continued follow-up sessions. by telling him of the changes in her life through the power of RAI.EIGH, N.C. Eighty inmates and 20 volunteers joined Chap­ Christ. lains Phil Carter and Winola Jones for Jane Douglass White's Verna received a letter by return mail. "Your story has been a mid-September seminar at the N.C. Women's Correctional Cen­ tremendous encouragement to me," the inmate wrote. Their ter. During the first afternoon's session, the seminar room door correspondence continues, and Verna looks forward to seeing opened and an officer led in 20 women who had just arrived at her friend soon upon his release from prison. He will be returning the prison. He sat them in a group in the back of the room. to his parents' home, three doors down the street from Verna's "Come on up here with the rest of us," called Mrs. White to family's home. the group. "They aren't allowed with the regular inmates," responded the officer. "Until these women are classified, they l.EXINGTON, KY. Seventy-five inmates and 10 volunteers can't talk to the others." attended Brad Smith's mid-September seminar at Lexington Bemused by the prospect of a seminar on the love of Christ in FCI, and the theme of the session was best expressed by an which part of the group was restricted from speaking to the rest inmate who came up and grabbed Smith's hand. "Now I know of the group, she spotted the smiling face of a volunteer. When why God allowed me to come to Lexington," he said. "lnank she nodded, he and his wife went to join the new group. God for this seminar." Later, as the group closed the day in prayer, they made an ROCKWELL CITY, IOWA. The willingness of many volun­ inner circle for the new women and an outer one of regular teers to drive two and one-half hours each way from Des residents; without words the sisters at Raleigh surrounded the Moines to be a part of Herman Heade's late August seminar newly arrived women with Christ's love. was a strong witness of commitment to the 30 inmates who MERCER, PENN. One of Alan Chambers' old friends-from attended. In addition to this excellent outside involvement, the before his conversion to Christ-attended his mid-September women also enjoy a special relationship with one of their cot­ seminar along with 35 other inmates and 12 volunteers. For the tage supervisors at the institution, Joy Merrill, who combines inmate, seeing Chambers as a minister of the gospel was a her supervisory duties with serving as the Bible study coordi­ drastic change from their former pastimes, and he testified to the nator within the reformatory. She relates to the women in group about the impact of Chambers' new life. Rockwell city as both a prison employee and as a close sister At the end of the week, Chambers prayed with his old friend, in Christ. who had decided to commit his life to Christ.

Continued from page one without a family. But God has shown me when he was about 19, he s.tarted playing Christians who pray regularly for the who is my family-you are:" the piano. After years of listenTng To inmates and the prison in their '1 thank God I am here as an inmate," music he is today able to play nearly as community," they said. another said. "This is a testimony to what well as any concert pianist. "On the Canada, where Prison Fellowship was the re-establishment of Christ in my life television program they say that's formed just one year ago, has 500 has done. I was a Christian before I was incredible," Mrs. Morton said '1 say, as volunteers actively ministering in 30 incarcerated ... After being convicted his mother did, that's an act of God." prisons in five of Canada's ten provinces. and sentenced to Maxwell Air Force Another episode told about a young Prison Fellowship Australia, with Base, I met a brother about five hours man born deaf and mentally retarded. approximately 100 active volunteers, after I arrived there. He told me he was a His parents, in an effort to give him a launched its first in-prison seminars this Christian; I told him I was struggling. normal life, took him a lot of places, and past July with George Soltau as their That brother put his arms around me his father often took him to the library to instructor. ''The ministry is growing and shared what Christ has done in his look at books. One day he started every day," said John Crail<, PF life. He had been to PF's Washington drawing-very detailed drawings. Today, volunteer in Australia, ''because Seminar, and that brother is one of the he makes thousands of dollars selling his someone new is finding Chuck Colson's reasons rm standing here today, free and drawings, although he can still neither great vision, which has become a reality full of joy and praise to God. At my talk nor hear. "On the television program in Australia." weakest moment, he was able to pick me they say that's incredible," Mrs. Morton It was an historic moment during the up through God working as a result of said. '1 say, as his parents did, that's an conference when news came of the end what he learned through Prison act of God. of the hunger strike in Northern Ireland. Fellowship." "About 78 years ago in a little Texas When it was announced, sitting side-by­ Although it is not always possible to town," she continued, "my mother was side were tVJO men, one from Northern understand the circumstances or see it born. She was born mentally retarded. Ireland, one from the Republic of Ireland, clearly at the time, God is at work She sees, but she neither hears nor talks. both represent1t19 opposing sRk!s tn'the through I tis witness withi11.•This was WheA she wzis ebout 38, she was political conflict, both representing poignantly expressed by Azie Taylor sexually assaulted. Out of that came a Prison Fellowship and working for Morton, Treasurer of the United States daughter named Azie. reconciliation of the turmoil inside under the Carter Administration, when "A lot of people said that the child Ireland's prison walls. she challenged the inmates at the would be mentally retarded, that the And the "witness within" is perhaps Dedication Service closing the mother should not be allowed to give seen most powerfully behind prison Discipleship Seminar and Training birthtothatchild.lsaytothemthatmy walls. Twelve inmates from 10 Conference. presence here and my life for these past institutions participated in PF's 31st Recounting two episodes from the 45 years has been, in fact, not so Discipleship Class. During their second television series "That's Incredible!" Mrs. incredible, but an act of God. week of training, the men met with Morton told of a young man, born blind '1 thank God that 78 years ago, volunteers at the Leadership Conference and mentally retarded whose family, somebody cared. That there was a and interacted with the international against doctor's ad­ similar kind of love for my mother that representatives. All twelve testified to vice, kept him at we have seen here today." Christ's love visible through felloo, home, caring for We are grateful for the grace of God believers. him, loving him. His that works in and through inmates, PF "God does do miracles," one said, mother always volunteers and leaders overseas, and "because Pm one of his miracles. Both played music for extraordinary human beings like Azie my parents were in prison; I grew up him, and one night Taylor Morton. Morton ~----ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW------, A President and A Nun The government has finally admitted what most folks have The Christian church should need no such exhortation from suspected for a long time: despite decades of extravagant politi­ secular government. It should be leading the way, for our Lord cal promises and bloated budgets, the massive bureaucracy has already commanded us to care for the widows and orphans, called government simply is incapable of solving all (or even to feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned and bear one most) of America's social ills. another's burdens. And it is our great heritage. , President Reagan made it official last month in a meeting with Up until this century, evangelicals pioneered schools, built the religious and business leaders, and later in an address to the first hospitals, cleaned up work abuses in the coal mines, pro­ nation. The government is tightening its belt, he announced, vided homes for the poor and orphans, to mention but a few. reducing taxes, expenditures, and abandoning a host of less than And-as so often we discovered when applying biblical effective social programs. ''Fill the vacuum," the President chal­ teaching-it works! Prison Fello1.-VShip nO\AI has more than 7,CXYJ lenged us; private groups and volunteer efforts should take over active volunteers in the United States, and another 2,CXX) over­ those functions being cut from the budget. seas. They are alive and vibrant, full of purpose and excitement. Special interest groups who have lived off They are participants, and they are making a difference. Prison­ the federal largesse for half a century ers are being changed and so are prisons-institutions in which howled like wounded coyotes. Demonstra­ government has an almost unblemished record of failures. tors organized, the press predicted doom, In this ministry and others like it we see the Gospel, demon­ and Congress shuddered. strated through human caring. There is a consistent refrain I But the greatest threat to the President's hear whenever I visit a prison where our volunteers have been at policies comes not from the obvious assault work: "We never knew anyone cared for us," the inmates say, of powerful lobbies, but from a force much ''but now we know someone does. Jesus does and the PF volun­ more subtle, and deeply ingrained in our teers do-they care-someone cares." Government programs culture. It is what can best be described as can't do that, but people can. the massive impersonalization of American Even as the President launched his volunteerism campaign life. Let me explain. from the White House, another world leader spoke on the other Rapid technological advance, government growth and mass side of the Capitt>l. Mother Theresa had come to the ghetto area communication's pervasive influence have left individuals feeling ·of Southeast Washington, knO\Aln as Anacostia, to open a con­ helpless, little more than observers of the passing parade. The vent for nine Sisters of Charity. The press crowded into a church "real" world is that which flashes across the electron tube each hall to interview the 90 pound Albanian woman whose worn, night in the family living room. shrivelled face speaks of the countless thousands of sick and Steady erosion of a person's sense of participation has had dying she has cared for in Calcutta. far-reaching and little understood consequences. If what a per­ "Why don't you use your influence to start a government son does doesn't matter, why do anything? Or, even worse, why program?'' One reporter asked. "You could help so many more not do anything? people that way." Mother Theresa patiently replied that her call Since individuals' actions don't matter, there is no responsibil­ is to help people, not begin programs. ity or accountability. When something goes wrong, it is not "our" That is a baffling notion in a city like Washington, which exists fault, it is the "system's." We grow to resent the "system"-that to create new programs, start agencies to administer them and institution we call society-and ultimately, unknowingly, we go to sell newspapers that report about them. Instead of pleading for war with ourselves. government grants to combat poverty, Mother Theresa and her Since government bas for so long promised to solve all human Sisters moved into a neighberoooo-t~-te care. problems, the citizen sees paying taxes as his sole civic duty. They uhdeistand the deep spiritual union of what Paul called the Americans have grown accustomed to believing that the amount "FelloJship of suffering." Unfathomable to a skeptical press withheld from their pay checks satisfies their moral obligation to corps, it is that fellowship which dral.-VS us close to our Lord, who their neighbors, particularly to the less fortunate. That is why, suffered for us. though we may grumble over high taxes and welfare cheaters, Mother Theresa's message is plain enough: "Do something for down deep, I suspect, we like the system. After all, it spares us someone else ... something that goes beyond the realm of a gift, the pain of looking into the vacant eyes of a hungry person, or and into the category of a sacrifice . . . for the sick, unwanted, drying the tears of an abused child. Money is a cheap substitute crippled, heartbroken, aged or alone." for human caring. Though they come from two different worlds, each in their The Washington Press Corps virtually ignored the President's own way-the President of the United States and the nun from comments about volunteerism, feasting instead on the Presi­ Calcutta-are giving us the same message. It is prophetic, unset­ dent's budget cuts. In doing so, the press totally missed the tling, even threatening. And we should be grateful that it is. point. President Reagan is tackling something much bigger than the budget or the economy. In asking us to get personally involved, to do something for neighbors in need, he is talking about a reformation in American life, in hO\AI the individual views his role in society. LETTERS OF HOPE 31st Discipleship Class I compliment Mr. Colson on an outstanding program on Larry King's radio show this a.m. As a former high school tead,er wha spentseverol summers as a correc­ tions officer, I know of which you speak. Your remarks are right on target! I was unable to sleep this evening [after listening to your interview} for I have found something that must have been divine providence-the Lord Jesus Christ! FM., New Jersey My heart is full as I write because I have just returned from my first Bible study at the prison in our area. Faces of the prisoners I met are bouncing around in my head, and I feel blessed for the opportunity I've had to enrich my walk with Christ by meeting them. Your ministry is closely woven into my one and one­ half year old conversion, with Bom Again the first Chris­ tian book I'd read at that point. I even kept your phone Front (1. tor.): Reggie Locklear, Talladega, Ala.; Joe Tedeschi, number for easy reference if the Lord should call me to Danbury, Conn.; Jesse Ramirez, Ft. Worth, Texas; Alan Anuda, become involved. Since then, I've come a long way with Miam~ Ra.; Randy Edwards; Danbury, Conn. Back: Gary Cain, my Lord, and even with PF. I even have my very own Ft. Worth, Texas; Bill Arnold, Pleasanton, Calif.; Frenchy Ther­ pen pal! rien, Bay Brook, N. Y.; Bay Brown, Maxwell, Ala.; Bruce Davis, I am oven.vhelmed by the scope of the job you h01.1e Pleasanton, Calif.; Macon Peeples, Miami, Ra.; David Sanders, before you. Please accept my thanks for Prison Fellow­ Maxwell, Ala. ship's work. P.W., Vif!linia TEAM SCHEDULES Chuck Colson Gordon Loux Nov. 12-14 Franklin County Unit, Bunn, N.C. Nov. 1-3 PF Donor Retreat, Williamsburg, Va. National Presbyterian Nov. 15 13-15 Medium Security Unit, Mt. 4 Luncheon, Pittsburgh, Pa; Church, Washington, D.C. Community Dinner, Pittsburgh Pleasant, 10\.Va 13-15 5 Community Luncheon, Akron, Ohio, Seminars Central New Mexico, C.F. Community Dinner, Clevelan~ 13-15 FCI Memphis, Tenn. 16-18 FCI Tallahassee, Fla. 6 PF Evening Rally, Zeeland, Mich. Lorton Reformatory, Va. Nov. 2-4 20-22 State Penitentiary, Angola, 7 Community Prayer Break- 4-7 State Reformatory, Monroe, LA. fast, Zeeland, Mich. Wash. 20-22 Men's Reformatory, Ana- 15-17 London, England (PA Board 6-8 Connor Cl, Okla mosa,Iowa State Penitentiary, Walla meeting) 9-11 20-2'2 Northeastern Regional Volun- 18 Edinburgh, Scotland Walla, Wash. teer Conference, Philadelphia, 19 Glasgow, Scotland 8-13 In-Community; Colorado PA 20.21 PF Eastern Regional Volun- Springs, Colo. 27-29 Mountain View Unit State Penitentiary,_Lincoln , teer Conference, Philadel- 8-13 (Women), Gatesville, Texas phia,Pa Neb.

and discussions on criminal justice and human rights have confirmed in our hearts again God's call to Prison Fellowship overseas. I want to introduce you to two State Directors who have recently joined our ministry as volunteers. James Park, a former Since it was published in 1979, LJ/e Sentence has pro­ auditor with the IRS, nursing home administrator and ex-offender, wled millions around the world with spiritual challenge is now serving as PPs Oklahoma State Director. William and scriptural insights, as weD as an in-depth perspective Bathurst, President of Diversified Properties, Inc. of Little Rock, on God's work in the life of Chuck Colson and the early Arkansas, joined us as Arkansas State Director. We look forward days of Prison Fellowship's ministry. to ministering with these men. It's a great book to share with We thank God for the opportunities He has given us, while at friends; its story of struggle and the same time we stand in awe of the task before us. Pray with us growth is compelling reading. for God's continued guidance for Prison Fellowship. LJ/e Seruence (hardback) will be available at a special, reduced rate of $5.00 per copy in time for Ji~~o- ~ Christmas giving. This is less than Gordon D. Loux half the original price. Executive Vice President Send your order and check for gift copies to: Life Sentence Offer, c/o Prison Fellowship, P.O. Box 509, Great Falls, Va. 22066. (Make check out to Prison PdOW&hfp;J

Because of Prison Fellowship's long-standing advocacy of restitution for punishing non-violent offenders in lieu PF International Director~ of imprisonment, we were heartened by President Reagan's speech to the Police Chiefs Association. the President announced support for legislation that will permit judges to order offenders to make restitution to their victims. We were greatly pleased as well to see that he has a realistic understanding of the cause of crime. Prisons do not rehabilitate because the cause of crime is in the human heart. And that is exactly what the President recognized: "Controlling crime in American society is not simply a ques­ tion of more money, more police, more courts, more prosec­ utors. It's ultimately a moral dilemma, one that calls for a moral, or if you will, a spiritual solution." "The solution to the crime problem will not be found in the social worker's files, the ps~hiatrist's notes, or the bureau­ crat's budget; it's a problem of the human heart, and it's there PFI representatives from 16 nations ended their three-week stay we must look for the answer." in the U.S. with a group photo at PF headquarters. "... we need to strengthen those private social institutions that Left to right, first row: James McRroy, Northern Ireland; Dave nurture them (moral values). Our recent emphasis on volun­ Farrell, Canada; Robin Croik, Australia,-Rodney 5ta/ford, teerism, the mobilization of private groups G.cteal,Wl'th dur Republic of Ireland; Geo,wa Rendle, Colombia; Don Rendle, social ills, is designed to foster this spirit of individual generos­ Colombia; Ferne Sanford, U.S.; Ludwig Van Kanten, Suriname; ity and our sense of communal values." Kinjumon Chocko, India; second row: Kathryn Grant, U.S.; Erroll De Ryp, Suriname; Ross Simpson, England; Gordon Loux, President Ronald Reagan U.S.; John Crail<, Australia; Bony Batherway, New Zealand; Address to the International Association of Franeois Celier, France; Akira Oda, Japan; Eric Kvaalen, Chiefs of Police France; John Harris, England; Jeanne Hurley, U.S. New Orleans, La., September 28, 1981 FOOTNOTES As I write this column, our annual leadership conference has just ended, and the three-week training for international directors is drawing to a close. How wonderful it has been to have a chance to see more than 100 of our co-workers from across the United States and 16 from around the world face-to-face. I was struck Volume V, Number 10; November 1981 anei.v with the quality of our volunteer and overseas staff. God Anita Moreland, Managing Editor; Ellen Santill~ '"1ter; Annette truly is at work in Prison Fellowship, meshing people with a variety Graham, Editorial Assistant; Nat Belz, Graphics. of talents; interests, concerns and resources into one ministry in the prisons of the world. ®Copyright 1981 by Prison Fellowship. All rights reserved. Printed 11 times a year. Bulk rate (non-profit permit 22), paid at Great Falls, Our perspective has been broadened through our international VA 22063. Offices at P.O. Box 40562, Washington DC 20016 guests. Descriptions of prison conditions in third world nations 703/759-4521. ' ' I - ---~---

:Christian action unit has convicts. renovating housing for the poor

ATLANTA - (AP) - Prison In­ Over the weekend, for example, Montgomery, Ala., stayed irt homes mates are renovating inner-city six inmates - Including three car­ of local church members and were housing for the poor as a new proj­ penters and two electricians -:­ not supervised by· guards during ect of a ministry started by former were renovating a house in Atlan­ their two-week stay in Atlanta. l White House ta's Grant Park neighborhood. Colson founded Prison Fellow­ 1 counsel Charles "What we are trying to do is use ship as a Christian prison ministry Colson, the the inmates in projects of this kind after experiencing a · religious con­ "born-aga n" · where there is no competition in the version during the Watergate scan- 1 Christian who private sector," and _where govern­ dal. ; served time be­ ment funds are no longer available, hind bars as a Horsley said. "This program has a national po- ~ result of the tential, and it graphically shows Watergate Grant Park, like several inner­ that Inmates, Instead of being ware­ scandal. city neighborhoods In Atlanta. Is housed at an annual cost to tax­ "We hope to being revitalized by young_families payers of $18,000 a year, can be uti- show society moving back from the suburbs. But lized to benefit · citizens in need,"! that there is a as the families return, property Colson said In a statement. category of values skyrocket, forcing low-in­ A fonner special counsel to Presi­ Colson Christian in the come residents out of the neighbor- dent Nixon, Colson pleaded guilty prison system who is nonviolent, hood, Horsley said. • , in June 1974 to a charge of ob­ ... _, __ nondangerous and who possesses The family living In tbe home the structing Justice by disseminating very valuable skills - who can be prisoners worked on over the derogatory information. In 1971 used in society and accomplish tre­ weekend had been evkted, but a about Pentagon Papers trial defend-t mendous assistance for those In group of Christian businessmen. ant Daniel Ellsberg and one of Ells bought the home and is now selling -r. need In our society,.. said Neil HOJ"9- berg's lawyers. . ley, chief of the pilot project ftr the It to the same family interest-free. He was fined $S,000 and sen• group Colson fQunded, Prison Fel­ The tlx Inmates, from the federal tenced to one to three years In pris~ priaon at Maxwell Air Force Base In 1· r. . lowship. OD. . ·xotr ..« ,~ t lti £11¢ ._.,. -- ...------·-----., ~ illff Ti .... ,

..I l l l I ~ .,...SUNDAY APRIL 4 1982 iloumnl A"IID CO~STITtTI0:'4 .. 7-8 c---imr-r-;,::;.:;'T':--:;,..-----:;.,------=------. ~~ ;?~ii'::' NEWS UPDATE

- -''. ,,.,..._ Federal reform project inmates renovate home for paraplegic Two weeks ago, Harold Garin sat The last time the pr:gumti on was to sell it to the Garins witb an wheelchair-bound on his front porch in the news in Atlanta, a group of interest-free %0-year mortgaae. ac­ while a group of prison inmates tore prisoners from the federal peniten­ cording to Phil Bellury. an organiza­ up part of his house. tiary at Eglin Air Force Base in tion spokesman. But last week, the prisoners.who Florida spruced up the house owned Family Consultation Services as­ actually had ripped up · Garin's by Roxie Van, an 82-year-old blind sists Prison Fellowship - wbicb is kitchen as part of a major renovation woman who played the piano for the funded with private donations - in project, returned to rebuild it com­ inmates while they sang along. That locating families to board the men pletely. was in November. and in deciding which projects will be · The six inmates belong to Prison This time, the inmates came from taken on. Fellowship, a Christian prison reform the federal prison at Maxwell Air The project is designed. to give organization begun in 1977 by Charles Foree Base in Montgomery, Ala. federal inmates some temporary W. Colson, the former special counsel "I feel a litUe guilty about this freedom while they provide a valu-· - to President Nixon, who served time whole thing," said inmate John able service. for his role in the Watergate cover­ Strickland. '"nlat's because I'm get­ "fm very happy," said Garin. who up. ting more out of this than the Garins. has lived in the house for 10 years. The renovation wort saved the 66- I'm getting the joy and satisfaction of Strickland, who will be released year-old paraplegic from being making someone happy, and maybe from prison in September, said work­ evicted from bis Grant Part home. they'll remember me." ing on the project has given his We After they rebuilt the kitchen, they After Garin was threatened with new ~eaning. repaired the bathroom and painted eviction because the hollse was in "'Ibis is something tangible that I the two-story house on Grant Street, such disrepair, a group of concerned can· 1ook back and say, 'Hey, I did inside and oul A special ceremony Christian businemnen bought the that,'" Strickland said. "It gives me STEVE DEAUThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution was plaMed Saturday to top off-the house, arranged for Prison Fello•• joy." project. t■AKINQSOMEONE HAPPY': John Strickland fikes being part of renewal project. ship to renovate it, and then agreed ,~ - Karen Harris ------;;;;;;;;;_;;;;;..;;.;.;..;;.;;;;;.;..;;;;_.;.;;_;..;;;_;_.;...;...... _----~----i-i--;;;;;=_.~ --,--;;-:-:----+4 :·· . "t ...'"! t{ ,,·;~;

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NICK ARROYO/The Atlanta Journal WITH A LITTLE HELP: Willie Preyer escorts Roxie Von to her house after. the convicts completed their repair work. Prison reform works ~n Grant Park · Inmates learn to love their neighbors ... and themselves ...... They like Roxie and she likes them. Force Base near Pensacola have been insulat- By Greg McDonald "I play the organ for them, and they sing . ing, caulking cracks and repairing Roxie's Journal Staff Writer .along," she says, smiling. .house near Grant Park and the homes of two . . Roxie, as she prefers to be called, is the other Atlanta area residents. All call them­ 011e Von, a perky 82-year-old blind . beneficiary of a pilot program designed to selves Christians and belong to Colson's woman who can still play a m~an key- give federal inmates a chance at temporary organization. R. . board, has ~een robbed four times. So freedom while providing a valuable com- it ~1ght s~em _a little stra~ge to some _that munity service. . "Humbling," is how Robert Barnes de­ she s trustmg six fed~ral prisoners who liter- It was started by Prison Fellowship, a scribes the work he and his five prison col­ ally have been ~rawlmg all over her Delmar Christian prison reform organization founded leagues are doing here and the welcome they Avenue home this week. in 1977 by Charles W. Colson after he was have received from "the Christian families" But instead of ransacking the place as · released from the federal prison at Maxwell who are boarding them during their two-week hoodlums have done in the past, these prison- - Air Force Base. The former special counsel to stay. ers - all of them former drug dealers and President Nixon served time for his role in embezzlers - have been weatherizing the the Watergate cover-up. · small wood-frame house and, in general, For the last 10 days, the six prisoners SEE Fix 18A .. sprucing it up. from the federal penitentiary at Eglin Air into Colson's Prison Fellowship. . organi2 Fix FROM lA tion. Other prisoners, Alonso said, "a ready to go down the tubes" unless th1 can find something useful to do. "It's meaningful . . . and it gives us "A lot of them," added Barnes, .wl the opportunity to contribute to the well­ was_busted the first time he tried to pe being of others," he explained Wednesday, die marijuana, "are like me when I fir standing in the front yard of Roxie's home. went in. You th1nk you're at the end Two other prisoners, Ramon Alonso and your rope so you begin to ask yoursE Bill Burk, stood near Barnes. The three questions. I turned to God and the Bib formed a tight group with their arms for answers." draped around one another's shoulders. All Barnes and his buddies were · chosi were convicted of selling drugs. for the pilot project, which is funded I "People are sitting back there behind Prison Fellowship through private don bars and they're getting hardened," Burk tions, because of their "nonviolent c broke in. He described prison as simply a fender" status, according to Neal Horsl1 holding cell for the "bad guys,'' where lit­ who heads_Colson's organization here. Mo tle effort is made to change and influence of the inmates held in the Atlanta feder, the lives of the men and women sent there. prison - those not among the Cuban pop1 "If they could have the opportunity to lation - are not in that category, HorslE be in an environment like we have . . . to said. · be loved. That can change a man, give a The prisoners are supervised by Lyr man a new way to go,'' hesaid. "Not only Westergaard who works with Famil can you help the prisoner, you can help Counsultation Services. FCS assists Prise people too." Fellowship in locating families to boar The project, in Burk's view, "is really the men and in deciding which projec1 an · act of God to get us out of prison. will be taken on. As in Roxie's case, Hor That's what it is. I mean those prison ley said, future beneficiaries of the pr1 doors are locked." gram will likely be older people on fixE All six of the prisoners, who will re­ incomes. turn to Egliri on Sunday, still have four to Roxie. admits that she was a b 18 months left to serve on their sentences. skeptical of the project at first, but soo Once back inside, they plan to share their she said, "I got to like the idea." experiences with other inmates in hopes of ''This is ·so unique, we don't know ho• getting them interested in the project ~nd far-recching it's going to be," she sai1 Convicts Winterize ., Burglary Victim's , 'I I Grant Park .Home · •

/; :;;t~Jt~ By Joe Brown Con1tilution Stall Writer The blind, 82-year-old Atlanta woman sat in a worn, over­ stuffed chair in the living room of her home in Grant Park that has been burglarized four times. Animatedly she discussed crime and punishment while six convicted felons, still in federal custody, "weatherized" her small frame dwelling. When the inmates took a break from installing insulation and storm windows, the smiling, shawl-draped woman - at their urging - moved to a small electronic org:;mand led them in a rousing rendition of "Amazin&Grace" and then, "Love Lifted Me." · The inmates, all assigned to Eglin Federal Prison in Florida, are enthusiastic volunteers in an experimental pro­ gram to see if allowing law breakers to repay society by help­ ing the victims of crimes m.:ikes more sense than what now passes for rehabilitiation. The Grant Park widow says she thinks it (helping the vic­ tim) does (makes more sense. She asks that her name and street address not be published - "You could call me Roxie Vaughn, if you want to. That would have been my stage name if I had ever been on the stage," she teases good-na_turedly. , !;~. "This is something really amazing to me. But I think I really approve of it," she says of the program sponsored by ' -~ Prison Fellowship, a private non-profit organization founded by Watergate conspirator turned born-again-Christian, Charles Colson and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Atlanta is the first place the program has been tried. "I think it's telling society to sort of tum the other cheek," the woman said of the program that this week insulated the borne she has lived in for 311h years. "Of course, I guess there are hardened criminals," she said voicing her only strong doubt. "But I don't believe that any prisoner should be just cooped up." Inmate Robert Harnes of Homestead said of the program: "I've been in prison for 18 months. And this has been the first time in the whole experience that I've been able to have done something of value. I feel that to positively help someone,

~ that's meaningful. You know I've mopped a lot of floors and

~ cleaned up the kitchen a bunch of times in the institution, but .,...... Ar.a_...... vo- has to This ans something me. . . this here substance it. me to I Willie Preyer Helps Roxie Vaughn Baek To Her House feel like my time is not in vain." .J /f-~/e1 ijJ!Je At!ttfda Journal: · · · Covers Dixie _Like the Dew . ·. .. .. ' · . .- i . -: ~-'

~ >t. • ·, ,. • •• •• •.., Since 1883 ~ • ·:.· Jom~s M. Cox, O,oirman 1939-1957-Jomes M. Cox Jr .• Chairman 1957-197' ~.The potehtiat of Prisons WITH LI'M'LE imagination, it's possible blind 82-year-old woman. to stroll prison corridors and see With privately donated funds, thi . . ' that E:normous human potential is avail• group purchased materials to spruce up ' able if a way could only be found to the home of Roxie Von. While perform- channel energies constructively. ing the work, they stayed as guests in Men and women with a wide range of · the homes of neighbors. skills and talents are locked away be­ One of the inmates, Robert Barnes, cause the key to utilizing them to meet · described the experience as "meaning• society's needs has never been discov­ ful." He continued: · ered. Some inmates are hopelessly incor- ''People are sitting back there behind . rigible and have to be kept locked up . bars and they're getting hardened. U until they grow old or die. Others are they could have the opportunity to be in violence-prone. an environment. like we have .., . to be But the mass of them represent a loved. That can change a man, give a potential resource for socially useful man a new way to go. Not only can you work - if a way can be found to match help the prisoner, you can help people skills to needs. too." A story by Journal · Reporter Greg We 'have · no Illusions that prisons can McDonald relates one such instance in be emptied to serve the public's needs. which the two were brought to r, ether, to Problems of supervision, costs, suitable the obvious benefit of one and the appar- · work and motivation loom large. ent benefit of others. But we would like to see private The project involved prisoners from groups Involved to raise funds and ex• the federal pen at Eglin Air Forei? Base pand the prof,!'am. U it could be done, . near Pensacola who spent 10 days society and prisoners both would be the winterizing the Grant Park home of a · better for iL •,...: ,•,,· C::±::::;, and a amol"-rlng wick he wlll not snuff out. w i.=====---~==::..:....---=::::::====:===::::::::::~r--' Isaiah 42:3 The Monthly Newslett March 1983 P.O. Box 40562, Was Making Disciples: PFs Ministry Cycle he speaker's dark, penetrating earlier a guard had been killed and, in eyes scanned the faces of the response, the prison officials cracked T inmate participants at the Decem­ down. Everyone had been locked in their ber in-prison seminar at Walla Walla cells 23 hours every day for 16 weeks. Washington State Penitentiary. He knew Everyone from the acting warden on their hard expressions masked inner down expected an ex-plosion when the bitterness and fears. men were released. And they were ; I "If we believe what this says, and trust released the same day Chuck arrived. Him," he told them, holding up his Bible, After towing the prison, Chuck went "we have nothing to fear. And there's only to the auditorium where he addressed one place to get that love-from Jesus nearly 100 inmates from maximum Christ."- - security. "Never have I been more aware After one seminar session, he listened of the tension, hate, hostility and to some of the inmates' angry complaints. bitterness a prison can generate," he said As he prayed for God's peace to fill their later. "I could smell it in the air and see it hearts, the room grew silent; his voice on the inmates' faces." broke. When he finished, every prisoner While Chuck spoke, an inmate in the in the room was drying his eyes. front row caught his attention. 1ne man This was no ordinary seminar; Don stared at him with dark, penetrating eyes, Dennis, leading this session, was no hanging on every word. As Chuck stranger to these inmates, nor to the bitter prepared to leave,notknowingwhat-if Don went from cell to cell at Walla Walla, enmity that existed between them and any-effect his words had had on the wifnessing to inmates. the prison administration.Just three years men, the inmate who had been in the Walla Walla, they became interested in earlier he had been one of them-angry, front row caught up with him. "Mr. reform measures that would prevent serving a life sentence a'> an habitual Colson,"he said, "if you really mean what violence in other state institutions. Chuck ---...co;ii:n:u·JPJau;'nawu.l, and in tbe widdle 0£ on€ o£ th€ you say, doa'tlea,~ u1o We ~eed '"bowipe-.-""'C,n;a,..,Jsitieaa was iw.Death Row seminar, he dis- nault, Bette Templeton and leamed that life is much more conclusion of Jane Douglass coveredoneinmatewhocould Velma Tolbert. than being free in society, or White's in-prison seminar. neither read nor write having "God loves each and every even in prison. It's being free in Some 75 inmates attended the leamed how to spell bis own one of us," Dee Jepsen told the Chiist." seminar, but the whole prison name only after aniving on popu a ion mne out or t e eat ow. urmg t e cow-se finale. of the seminar the inmate The Memmial Presbyte1ian confessed faith in Christ, but Choir, the '1'estimonials, ""Rick wa~ unsure how he could Mize and the Daysp1ing Sing- continue growing in the Lord. ers," and other local groups Overhearing his uncertainty, presented a program of gospel another inmate broke in. music. Leaming to read would be no Mruy Kay and PF volunteer problem, the fellow inmate Barbara Dalrymple, both ex- said. He would be glad to teach offenders, shared with the him-using the brand new group how they had come to Bible he had just been given. Christ. Bismarck, N.D. When Sacramento, Calif. When the Walter Sherman retired almost chaplain ,at Folsom Piison 20 years ago, he was free to asked PF s Sacramento Care really get down to business. Members of the 38th Washington Discipleship Class stand for a Committee if a PF volunteer He became a wiving force commissioning prayer at the conclusion of their dedication service at would sta1t a chapel program behind a small group of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Al.exandria, Virginia. Women at Folsom's prison camp, concerned people regularly graduates are (left to right): Bette Templeton, Yvonne Schennault, Velma Tolbert, Helen Placke, Deborah Bryant, and Sherry Kay George Olson was ready to go. visiting inmates in Bismarck Bennett. -----ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW--­ Gocl Isn't Dead, Just Sick and Feeble

This is a column lhavedelayed writing, not the Creator God of Abraham, Isaac declining dangerously. Gallup reports hoping those with far greater theological and Jacob, not the all-powe1ful God that in 1963, 63 percent of all Amelicans training would do it. But since they have revealed in the holy Bible. Yet people believed the Bible was the actual Word of not, I feel I must. gobble up the book, clamming for this God "to be taken literally"; today, only 'rt For more than a year now, a book by a impotent god. percent do. once obscure rabbi, Harold Kushner, has It is not surprising, I suppose. People Moreover, the church has a woefully dominated the best seller lists. Appealing­ yearn for keys to life's mysteries; when inadequate understanding of eviJ, Be- ly titled When l3ad Things Happen to someone comes along with an easy cause of the oligin of evil-and whf God Good People, nearly 500,000 hardcover answer that gives comfort and ra- permits it-is such a hard question we copies are in pdnt: the soon-to-be released tionalizes the supernatural, they stam- tend to avoid it, as well as its corollary paperback edition is expected to sell in the pede the bookstores. We11 sacrifice truth issue, sin. (Are there really any "good" millions. to our own prejudices any day. people, as Kushner postulates? liwethink The book deals with a familiar query: But what is surprising-shocking is a so, then we aren't reading our Bibles how can a loving God allow such tenible betterword-isnotthesecularreactionto thoroughly.) Besides, sin and evil aren't suffe1ing and evil in Kushner' s book, but the Christian popular sermon topics- congregations the world? It'"s an response. ln:mldtbly,-ttre·book has been -get offended, uncomfortably-convicted, age-old question, endorsed by a well-known pastor and by in fact. whether we think of a respected seminary professor, is A weary and fmsb·ated people are easy the ancient slaughter recommended to the readers of at least prey for those who peddle simple of the Caananites or one leading Christian journal and is sold answerstolife'stoughestquestions.Butbe the honors of the in many Christian bookstores. not confused. The biblical buth is that sin Holocaust. Even evangelical publications have is real and it comes from man; God, on the Drawing from his been strangely silent. Only the Reformed other hand, is both good and all-powerful. own experience­ Journal (published by Eerdman's) and His goodness is established beyond all his son died at age 14 The Banner (published by the Reformed dispute by the fact He allowed His sinless of a tragic illness­ Chw·ch of America) have published Son to die on the cross for our sin; His Kushner answers critical reviews. omnipotence is affirmed by His victory that God is indeed all-loving, but He is not Areweblindtowhatishappening?The over sin and death through Chiist's all-powerful; the bad things which waves of secular thinking which crash resurrection. happen are simply out of Hisconb·ol. The over us are washing away the very That is not an easy answer; it may not rabbi wiites, "l can worship a God who foundations on which the church stands. even seem fair or "realistic." But as hates suffering but cannot eliminate it Hundreds of thousands, including church Chiistians we believe it is true, a fact of more easily than I can worship a God who members and evangelicals, are reading history. chooses to make children suffer and die." Kushner's book; it is directly shaping The very popularity of Rabbi Kush- Obscure no longer, Kushner is big on people's perception of God. Do we just ner's book should wake us up. If simple- the celebrity circuit. Time, Family yawn, roll over and pull up the covers? sounding pop answers wrapped in the Weekly, Redhook and scores of news­ Kushner' s simple message, by the way, cloak of religious truth are so widely papers and magazines have p1inted is not original. For 60 years, "process" accepted-by unquestioning believers interviews and excerpts from his book. theology, so-called, has bee-;:,:-n -::--s_,_p-=-rera__ di :-=.nrg'---anP.hdm:tni-e,omnr-be"!n'i'h'"'e:'t--ye-rrslrnr....,ali,,'kme....-itnlhf.-en-\i\i'nw-.,e=a+s+­ He's steadily flooded with fan mail; one like a cancer througn the church, . . grateful reader wi·ote, "maybe now I can dismissing the power of God as non­ to rouse ourselves, take our stand on the believe :in a more realistic God." crucial. "The goodness of God is more hdly Word of God, and label heresy as Well, it's nice that Rabbi Kushner can important," says John Cobb, a leading heresy. If we don't proclaim the Truth, comfort so many Americans. But wait a process theologian. So God isn't dead, as who will? minute . . . What do we mean, a more the liberals of the early 60s argued; now, There's no better time to begin than realistic God? Who decides whether God they say, He's just sick and feeble. now. is realistic? Why do heresies like this flowish? A That, of course, is the rub. The god chief reason is biblical ignorance and Kushner writes about is neither omni­ disbelief. Despite the ballyhooed "born potent nor sovereign, and is, therefore, again" movement, belief in the Bible is

"A Chaplain's Best Friend"

Prison Fellowship has a staunch Word of God. advocate in Bill Wohlers, chaplain at Also, I have never seen any of the Montana State Prison (MSP) in Deer teachers who come put down inmates for Lodge, Montana. PF held its first seminar who and what they are. Prison Fellow­ there in Ausust,-J.Q'Z-9-lVohleN..beoam&­ ship,e¥-'-­ chaplain at MSP the following March, are committed to Christ~; not. I think and has invited PF back for three more that makes an inmate feel good, that he is seminars since then. ~ccepted. In a recent interview, we asked Q: What are some of your goals as a Chaplain Wohlers about his experience chaplain? with Prison Fellowship. A: My goal is to be an example to Q: Why do you support Prison Fellow­ Mont,ana State Prison Chaplain Bill Wohlers inmates-to be a sermon in shoes. I want ship so heartily? (right) with Chuck Colson. these men to see Christ in me. To do that I A: First, because they are committed to of the men who have attended PF have to have a strong working relation­ the gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe seminars at the institution? ship with them. the only thing that can change a person is A: They are stronger in their relation­ Q: Has Prison Fellowship helped you accepting Christ as Savior. ships with Christ, their fellow inmates, work toward those goals? On a practical level, they do a and me as their chaplain. Many of them A: Yes, they've enhanced, supported, and wonderful job helping inmates. They're mature in their faith because of the solid complemented those goals in a very real concerned about the total person-his teaching PF offers. sense. Prison Fellowship is a chaplain's family, his future, what happens when he Q: What is the single greatest resource best friend. They don't take anything leaves prison. They're committed to the Prison Fellowship can offer a chaplain? from a chaplain. They go the second or total person, and I like that. A: The teachers they send. Every teacher third mile all the time. It's just a What results have you seen the llves Q: in we've had is committed to preaching the tremendous program. Cootinued from page 1 Through God's work through Prison Fellowship and the life of Don Dennis, ministry inside YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1982 Walla Walla has swung full UNAUDITED AND SUBJECT TO YEAR END ADJUSTMENTS I have just finished reading cycle. lbree years ago Chuck Life Sentence. I am very PUBLIC SUPPORT AND OTHER REVENUE: conservative, and have always Colson walked in, preached Contnbutions $ 4,572,758 the Gospel and a crisis was Other Revenue 13.5,38.5 felt that prisoners "got what they deserved." I never knew 4,708,143 what it was really like-the EXPENSES: book was actually painful for Community Services 1,632,601 Community Mobilization 42,359 me to read. P1ison Services 248,503 You're right, there needs to Chaplaincies ffi,785 be a change and it must begin Prison Education Development 142,517 in individuals' hearts. I think Volunteer Development 109,702 C1iminal Justice Reform 103,427 this could be a turning point in Communication 432,~ our nation, if you continue to Public Ministry 286,270 let God do his work. This International Minimy 327,247 certainly confirms that God is Management and General 691,00! Fund Rai~ing 581,532 still doing miracles. Thank you for shruing this 4,678,130 EXCESS OF PUBLIC SUPPORT AND message. I will never be quite OTHER REVENUE OVER EXPENSES $ 30,013 the same because of it. B.F., Michigan

Don en;oyed renewing old friend­ This month, we welcome enough to meet the need. 1bis Chuck Colson .ships during the seminar. Phil Kratt'> as om new state year, our surplus income wa'i March director for Virginia. A former less than half of one percent. At 10 National As.~ociation of averted. Now, three years employee of Xerox Corpora­ PF we ru·e committed to good Evangelical~, Orlando, Fla. later, one of the inmate leaders 16, 17 National (',0nference on tion, Phil has served as PF's stewardship of the funds en­ Criminal J u,iice and the who was part of that early crisis volunteer state director in trusted to us. l lrban Church, Alexandria, is back, working through Alaska since last March. As members of the Evan­ \'a. Prison Fellowship for peace. In this Jubilee, you will find a gelical Council for Financial Gordon Loux Don's life touched inmates preliminruy financial rep01t for Accountability, we adhere to March throughout the institution 7 ECFA Board meeting, 1982. Prison Fellowship ended certain ethical standards in Chicago, Ill. during that week in Decem­ the year in the black, as it has fund-raising. Piison Fellow­ 8, 9 Annual Conference of ber. They knew this was not eve1y year in its hist01y, thanks ship is audited annually by a Christian Steward~hip the old Don who had helped to the faithful giving of our public accounting firm. Au­ Council, Chicago, DI. them plot revenge. His very donors. dited financial statements ru·e 16 Chri~tian Mini~tries presence was evidence that in Management A~x.-iation, We are grateful for every gift available upon request. Weal,;o \\'a.fflinwon, D.C. Christ there is hope-that the God prompts His people to pledge to tL'>e all donations for 17 National Conference on One who freed Don Dennis give to this ministry, He the specific purpose for which Criminal J u~TI<.'t' and the .can free them too. continually supplies just they were raised. l 1rban Church, Alexandria, \'a. Periodically, we publish ff~ Seminars nancial reports ·m Jr,bilee. In March December, our report showed 3-5 \\'a.~hington State Re- Help Someone Love God a deficit. One reader chal­ fonnatory, Monroe, Wa.ffl. lenged. the report as an un­ 4-6 FCI, Seagoville, Texas ethical fund-raising tactic. 5-6 FCI El Reno, Okla. I wrote back, e,-.-plaining that 5-7 Orleans Parri~h Pri'illll, New Orleans, La. we publish the repmts not to 11-13 Tucker Pri~n, Tucker, raise funds, but to keep our Ark. readers informed. In fact, of 13-2tl Conmnity Service Project, the four reports which ap­ Chicago, Ill. peru·ed in Jr,b{lee la'>t year, 16-18 Mi~omi Training C'.enter for Men, Moberly, Mo. three showed surphL'ies! 18-20 Los Ltnias C',0rrectional I don't usually devote this Center, Los Luna.~, N.M. much of my column to money 18-20 FCI La Tuna, Texas matters, but felt I should 25-27 Nevada Women's Pri~on, """''-til , 'Qo.. c. k reiterate for Chuck Colson, the Carson Qty, Nev. 26-27 Oklahoma State Peniten­ Board of Directors, the staff R\",Y\ d CCAf'l'\~ tiary (Death Row), and myself what we believe McAlester, Okla. our commitment must be 26-27 Oklahoma State Peniten­ before God. Prison Fellow­ tiary (Area 1), McAl~1er, Okla. ship's prfmar~ concerns ru·e 2tl-April Conummity Service Pro- In the December '82 manv othns. more than 35() t:'\ ngdism and r isci )b,hip, :¼ jg;:t Albnqnrrqne NM _ c...... ,-u~blle~. we asked forinore -i, inmates now ha\·e new pen­ not f mHJ-rai1;i11~. . t th · same 30-April Greenhaven C',orrectional volm1teers for our pen-pal pals to correspond with. time, wehaveacommitmentto 1 Facility, Stonnville, N.Y. match-up program. But we still need your you, om· donors-to keep you The appeal drew a quick help. Between 300 and 400 informed of the growing needs response from Carrie Cm1- inmates are still waiting for in thi,; minisby, and of how ningham, one of our young­ volunteers to write to them. yom gifts are being used to Vol11me Vil, N11m1Jer3; March er readers. Her letter, dated If you want to share in this meet those needs. 1983. ISSN G135-5564. Copyright Dec. 6, read "Dear Mr. vital oub·each, please ap­ This year our budget is 2.5 1983 by Prison Fellow.Y1iip. All Colson, My name is Canie. ply• by writing: Prison percent lru·ger than in 1982. rights reserved. Printed 11 times I want to help the people. Services Department, Pri­ God is opening doors.We must per uear. Bulk rate (non-1,rofit But I'm only seven. Butl can son Fellowship, P.O. Box walk through them in faith, but pemzit 22) paid at Great Falls, help them love God. Could 40562, Washington, D.C. with integrity and authenticity VA22003. you give me a pen pal to 20016. in the eye; of our supporters. Managing Editor, Anita More­ 0 land; Write rs, Ellen Santilli and write to? Will you tell me Single f ema/,es under 25 are In His service, l.,owell Beers; Editorial AYsistant, what is his or her name? matched only with fema/,e in­ mates. Since our supply of volun­ A.n11effe Graham; Producticm Please write back. Your Manager, Bill Rhodes. friend, Carrie." teers in that category crmently ex­ ceeds the de11111nd, we ask that no Because of the caring single f emoles under 25 appbJ. Gordon D. Loux response of Carrie and Thank 11011. • Executive Vice President E~~~=;,:..iMA bruised roed 7 he wlll not break, .L!::::=::;i and a smoldering wick he wlll not snuff out." '------~'------~;;;;;;.;;;;;;;;;;:;;:;::---, :----~ Isaiah 42:3 The Monthly Newsletter

Agape House: Missouri's Ministry of Love hen her husband began doing tacted Janice Webb. To Sister Heaney, downpayment, in just six weeks; a time at Missouri State Prison in Mrs. Webb was the "only logical person Christian attorney did the legal work for W. . Jefferson ~ity, Sheila Clark0 to get the job done." free. In September the-tenants...vacated; knew the bip across the state and her Janice Webb, a volunteer who had then, after two months of backbreaking limited funds wouldn't stop her from been coordinating PF activities in the cleaning and renovating, on November visiting him. So she took the few dollars area for three years, had seen a lot of 1, 1980, a sparkling new Agape House she had, bought a bus ticket, and inmate hurts and family needs. When opened its doors. boarded a Greyhound in Kennet bound for Jefferson City. When she arrived five hours later, she had no idea what to do next. She had heard that other families visiting inmates slept on park benches or under bridges. She was afraid to do either, and it was getting late. Tired and confused, she asked a cab driver for directions to the most inex­ pensive hotel in town. Instead, he told her about a guest home especially for families of prisoners: Agape House. She found her way to the large Victorian home, just a block from the prison. The house manager welcomed her warmly, and showed her to a guest room. Sheila was thrilled at the rate: only Agape H01,se Janice Webb, right, and other PF volunteers three dollars a night. The woman also attending a PF conference in Wash­ meet with inmates during a seminar. gave her a Bible. Sheila accepted it ington, D.C., she heard another vol­ Agape House is not just a place where ---,~it·et,,,, ~,,.ffl"reacH . -or­ unteer describe -a hospmtlity-hause fur families-find a bed, bath, -towels- and- a now it was enough that she had a warm inmates' families in West Virginia. The toothbrush. Something deeper is com­ room and a bed. idea kept coming back to her as she municated to the families who stay Sheila's story is not unusual. More than pondered the needs in Jefferson City. there. It is the certainty that someone half of Missouri's prison population is So Janice Webb went to work cares. incarcerated in the Jefferson City area, mobilizing her community. And before The women who oversee the house yet they come from Kansas City and St. the group even had a house, they had a are key testimony to that truth. Mildred Louis, hundreds of miles away. Wives, name and a goal: "Our sole purpose is to Taylor, the house manager, is a widow mothers, sisters and children of inmates provide agape, God's unconditional who served as a missionary volunteer to come from all over the state to visit their love, to prisoners and their families." Indonesia. "I had prayed to the Lord men. And since late 1980, many have An Agape House Board was formed when I left Indonesia, 'wherever You found shelter at Agape House. of Prison Fellowship volunteers and want me to go, let them contact me,' she The story of how Agape House came other community leaders, all deeply said. to be is a wonderful illustration of what committed to the needs of inmates and Indeed, it wasn't long before Janice can happen when people care. their families. The result was a pioneer Webb telephoned Mildred with an offer Before Agape House, Prison Fellow­ ministry in Missouri, and one of the few to work at Agape House. She had no ship volunteers hosted many inmate of its kind in the nation. previous experience with inmates or families in their homes, but they couldn't In May 1980, the Board found an old their families, but felt sure God wanted handle the swelling numbers. Local rooming house a block from the Mis- her in the ministry. So, she left South Carolina for Missouri and Agape House. Since the ministry could not be shouldered alone, Lunette Bouknight, a friend of Mildred's, later moved in. Sister Ruth Heaney, the project's assistant manager, also lives at the House. Deeply involved in prison minis­ try and criminal justice reform, Sister Ruth Heaney spends much of her time traveling in prisons throughout Missouri, visiting inmates who have no one else to care for them. Mildred Taylor describes their work simply: "We minister love to them. Of course, we are open to discussing the Bible with them-each guest receives a New Testament with the plan of Sister Ruth Heaney l.1mnette Bouknight, left, and A young guest at Agape House . salvation clearly outlined-but some are Mildred Taylor, right. not open at all at first. So we are a community leaders and state organiza- souri State Penitenti3!}', The two-story sounding board for them to talk. The tions also saw the need. So Sister Ruth stucco with nearly a dozen bedrooms Scriptures say that 'it is the love of God Heaney, a Roman Catholic nun on the and three kitchens was going for $46,000,. that brings men to repentance.' We just Criminal Justice Commission of the a price Janice Webb calls a "miracle of share that love." Missouri Council of Churches, con- God." The new Board raised $5,000, the Continued on page four 0 Name has been changed according to her request. WALL e Claymont, Del. One small miles to Texas to escape the As one inmate posed for his And now the Smiths will group discussion at the Clay­ consequences. picture, he broke into a huge not only be living together for mont seminar in mid-January There he struggled with a grin-one of the few during his the first time, they'll also be focused on Christ's forgive­ growing conviction to set his incarceration. "Why are you working together, running ness, and the need for us to life straight. Then he read smiling?" asked a PF volun­ the Kittanning Country forgive others. One woman Born Again. He accepted teer. Club's kitchen. Don, an tensely told the group of her Christ, returned home, and "Because," the man re­ accomplished chef, will head deep struggle with feelings of turned himself in. Now he sponded in broken English, up cooking and management hatred 'toward her lawyer, looks ahead to a lengthy "my people will be so happy to while Charlie will be in who had wronged her. prison sentence. know that I'm alive." charge of hiring and super­ vising waitresses. Both see The next evening she re­ But he faces it with Christ, • Claymont, Del. Don and turned noticeably relaxed and and wrote recently to PF: "I Dona Fieldhouse, PF volun­ their new assignment as a free of her bitterness. She told am determined to use my teers in Delaware, took on a tremendous opportunity for the group why-she had knelt sentence in a constructive way big project several years ago. ministry to the rest of the in her room the night before, for myself, my fellow inmates, They mortgaged their home staff. "We're so excited," says prayed, and forgiven her at­ and the prison administra­ as bail for a young offender, Charlie, "God keeps blessing torney. tion." Betty, who then lived with us-it's almost too much!" them for several years. During that time Betty slowly came to know the Fieldhouses as parents, and she grew to know the real meaning of love-something that had always been equated with sex in her violent and a bused past. It was not an easy process, as Dona Fieldhouse describes it: "You've got to be able to love tough; you can't love Delaware volunteer Barbara Hand (left) and inmates enjoy au e11//111siaslic si11gi11{!. session. easy." Yet the struggle was worth it: today Betty, now 22• Don and Charlie Smith at their e McAlester, Okla. There was • Atlanta, Ga. During the has accepted Christ, is mar- wecldinf!. in Felm,ary 1980. no question about how in- Christmas rush, the harried ried, working, and attending matesatMcAlester'sWomen's storeclerkthoughthehadseen evening classes. She's come a • Washington, D.C. Prison Unit felt about the PF in- everything, but then PF Gear- long way, slowly transformed Fellowshipwantstosay"thank prison seminar earlier this gia State Director Pat Gallo- by the power of God and you" to Ronald Humphrey year. When instructor Carl way came in and asked for people who cared enough to who was incarcerated in Husband tried to give partici- 1,500 packs of Polaroid film. take her in-when it wasn't Alexandria, Va. on January 25 pants a rest period after a full ButforGallowaya-I'ldateamof easy. - following three and one-half day and one-half of lecture Prison Fellowship volunteers, "My dream is that more yearsoffightingappealstothe and discussion, they asked to the unusual request was just couples will be led to provide 15-yearsentencehereceivedas forego the break so they could a result of FBl's Operation share more of God's Word. At "Magic Dragon." the end of the seminar, in Humphrey, a USIA com- appreciation, they sang "We munications watch officer Think You're Someone Spec- during the Vietnam War era, ial" to both instructor Hus- was discovered exchanging band and their own Chaplain information from the U.S. Marks. through a Vietnamese contact • St. Louis, Mo. When PF in an effort to release the instructor George Saltau first woman he loved from Com- met Becky, she was an inmate munist-run postwar Vietnam. in Texa'i. "She was a very During his bial, while in- angry woman," Saltau re- carcerated in a Virginia jail, called, "having been incar- Humphrey read Chuck Col- cerated for 10 years. Her two son's book Born Again. He mr)s o- were seven and eight Claymont seminar instructor Alan Chambers and inmate graduate wrote to Chuck: "I was saved when she was put into prison when I was 14 and attended Unda Davis. and when she got out, of church and Sunday school course, they were 17 and 18." part of another way to minister halfway homes, not houses," regularly. But as an adult I fell Now, several years later, to prisoners. says Mrs. Fieldhouse. away ... My experiences have Becky again participated in They took their film and 12 e Kittannin Pa. Two ears brou ht a reawakenin ... 1 ---...... ,,....,~~r,;arnu;";;sH:r.n"'s"'o;i;n,r;e,;tt,;o;.,w;;:--+1"'n"'sMa;-;;;mi;amrc.--,;c;;;-amm.:e;;;;ras1iF"',itnnrrio:-r11>

punished in other ways," he said, and bility to the community. 'The offender credited the existing massive prison owes a 'debt to society,' " Colson said, Colson Testifies overcrowding to to this "indiscrimi­ "and community service offers a much nate incarceration." more appropriate way to pay that Pointing out many examples he has 'debt' than does isolation and festering on Criminal seen during his own imprisonment and in prison." Although PF's recent through Prison Fellowship's ministry in Atlanta Project (see January JUBI­ more than 225 of America's prisons, LEE) was not an alternative to Code Revision Colson emphasized that prisons do not imprisonment, he told the committee it w his first appearance before a deter crime. is an example of community service congressional committee since the "All criminal offenders must be beneficial to both offenders and Watergate hearings, Charles Colson punished," he said. "No one questions community members. testified February 5 before a sub­ that. Swift and certain punishment is Asked by subcommittee chairman committee of the House of Representa­ the greatest deterrence to crime, even Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich) to tives Judiciary Committee on criminal more so than a severe punishment describe Prison Fellowship, Colson justice. which is not certain." related his personal experience with With 10 federal inmates partici­ Restitution and community service Jesus Christ, his incarceration and pating in the Prison Fellowship's 33rd are two ways he emphasized that subsequent return to prison for Discipleship Class and nearly 50 PF provide positive alternatives to in­ ministry. "I couldn't forget the hurts key donors, volunteers and staff carceration. Restitution, he said, re­ and needs inside," he said. members sitting behind him in the flects an awareness that victims are too "I have been very impressed by your hearing room, Colson pointed out often forgotten people in the criminal testimony," Rep. Conyers said at the several issues for the committee to justice process because the offender conclusion of Colson's remarks. "I have consider before voting on the revised must confront the personal conse­ been skeptical of many conversions, criminal code. quences of his or her criminal acts. It but the Chuck Colson I met on the "Our major concern with proposed restores the victim and contributes to judiciary committee and the one I meet revisions is that they fail to differen­ reconciliation between victims and here now really gives me a renewed tiate strongly enough between those offenders. confidence in the work you're doing." who should be punished by imprison­ In addition, community service ment and those who should be Transcripts of the testimony are available emphasizes the offender's responsi- by wriHng to Prison Fellowship. Continued from page one jail ... thanks for opening my That love touched Sheila PF Canada Witnesses eyes to the plight of those Clark's heart. After dis­ whom society has forgotten. covering Agape House, she Praic;e God, but for His grace I came back month after month. God's Power in Prison would be among them. She also began reading her Under Dave Farrell's lead­ the Bible in small and large G.L., Maryland Bible. One evening, during a ership, Prison Fellowship Can­ groups, talked and laughed spontaneous discussion a­ ada's ministry spreads to 6 of over refreshments. My wife and I have just round the dinner table, Mrs. Canada's 10 provinces. In At the final communion returned from our weekly Taylor asked her, "Are you November, Herman Heade worship service Herman Bible study at the correctional interested in becoming a was invited to teach a seminar asked several inmates and institution ... I wanted to write Christian?" "I wasn't too sure in in Edmonton, Alberta. volunteers to participate. "I and affirm what God is doing the beginning," she said, "but I Although Herman did not gave an invitation to receive through Prison Fellowship. It am now." And Sheila prayed to receive clearance to enter Christ, and at that moment all is beautiful to see men and receive Christ. Canada until the day he was to of us saw the greatness, the women with such hunger and Many visitors find new life at travel, and although he en­ power and the mercy of God thirst to know God ... (He) is Agape House. One explained countered some opposition at work," Herman said. "As I certainly working behind the in a letter to Mrs. Taylor: from Canadian airport Im­ embraced the men standing in walls and in the hearts of us "Staying at the House meant so migration authorities, he knew front I could not hold back the volunteers. I'm constantly much to me. I read the Bible God was going to do some­ tears. We all praised God and reminded that humanly I you gave me-I'v-ebeen trying thing special at the Novem­ wept openly." would not elect to associate to reaffirm my faith for ber five-day seminar in Ed­ But God was not finished. with the residents, but through months. I read more ... and I monton, Alberta. After the service was over, the Jesus I can love them and they prayed and was washed clean Edmonton, the city, is clean group stayed together for an can love me. of my sins." and well-to-do, surrounded hour of sharing. One of the D.V., South Carolina Another wrote: ''The last by some of Canada's rich oil first to speak was Big Steve. "I night I had $13 left to get home fields. Edmonton the institu­ was born a Jew, an Orthodox Recently I participated in an on, and I saw another woman tion, is about 12 miles from the Jew, and I will die a Jew," he in-prison seminar. Because of who was in greater need than I city and houses more than 150 said. "But now I know what the men inside and the teach­ was, so I gave her half. I knew inmates serving rather severe the true name of God is ing of the instructor, I am God would provide. I went to sentences. through this seminar. His changed. The seminar opened bed feeling good that I could, Because many of the nearly name is Jesus Christ." my eyes to the mighty work of with God's help, do something 30 community volunteers that ''Together," Herman said, God behind those walls that so good for someone." participated were families, the "we actually witnessed the many ignore. seminar had a unique family institution go from a place of That is the message of May God continue to bless flavor. The 40 inmates who tension into the magnificent Agape House. With God's and guide Prison Fellowship. attended were just as unique. love of God flowing through help, we can meet the needs of Know that you have my daily Some were serving life, others each of us. I was blessed by others. And Agape House prayer and finances when they lesser sentences, many were being in Edmonton. I shall stands not as a monument, but are available. skeptical and asked probing never forget my visit there and as a living example. Janice B.B.,Oregon Webb describes the challenge questions. Some were Chi­ the way God showed His well: "The Lord has done it­ nese, some Korean, some power." we have seen His hand. We French-speaking. One was an want people to hear about Orthodox Jew. "Big Steve is a Agape House and say, not 'look huge man-6'4", 270 pounds­ what they're doing in Mis­ a former biker serving a life Chuck Colson souri,' but, 'if they are doing sentence," Herman said. "He March 5 CI, Boise, Idaho made it clear to everyone that Meeting with Correc­ that there, what would God Recently I read Born Again tional Commissioner, have us do in our com­ he was born a Jew and will die and Life Sentence. Thanks for PF dinner, Boise, munity?'" a Jew." But God was to do your ministry to these most Idaho some great things in this group forgotten people. I admit that I 6 Governor's Prayer of dissimilar people. have wanted to see law­ Breakfast, Boise, Born Again in During the week inmates breakers behind bars, but I am Idaho an