Sept. 2013 Volume 5, Number 9 HERALD A LOOK BEHIND THE WALLS OF A TEXAS PRISON And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18 The IFI Herald is published by IFI-Texas Carol S. Vance Unit 2 Jester Road Richmond, TX 77406 281.340.8756 Inside this issue: Inside this issue: Inside this issue: Inside this issue: Graduate Profile 2 Reentry Notes 2 Prayer Line 2 Editorial 3 Scheduled Events 3 Perspective 4 Volunteer Voices 4 Program Spotlight 4 Hebrew Calendar 4 New Classes 3 By Anthony Walker In prison, mail call is one of the most important times of the day as men anticipate receiving a letter from a loved one or a friend, sometimes only to be shattered when the mailman has no letter for them. Michael Luce, Group 49, pictured an 8-, 9-, or 10- year-old child dealing with such emotions and had a vision. Luce took the initiative and approached IFI Program Director Tommie Dorsett about a letter writing campaign, for the kids of Angel Tree Camp 2013. Dorsett embraced the idea and gave him the task of overseeing the project. The camp was scheduled for Aug. 11-15, which did not leave Luce much time to get the job done. He made his pitch to the com- munity and assembled a team to expedite the process. Luce told IFI members that the idea was to write short letters of encouragement to the kids, who have incarcerated parents. He also instructed them to write as if they were not in prison. Some members—Dan Aitkens, James Steele, Billy Morgan, Tony Duncan, Robert Davis and Benjamin Seawright—were compelled to write multiple letters. Thanks to Luce and all the men helping him, this year the Angel Tree Camp had its own special bag of mail to distribute to kids, who may or may not have heard from their own incarcerated parents. Overall, 367 letters were distributed to 155 kids. The Angel Tree Camp is five days of horseback riding, archery, swimming, Bible dramas, campfires and plenty of food. There are special activities like hayrides, dinner at the beach and a shaving cream slide, all sponsored by Prison Fellowship Ministries and local churches. IFI Counselor Darryl Brooks spent the week with the kids. After the letters were distributed, he chose one of the campers, a young girl named Star, to ask her what she thought about the letter that she had just read. She replied, “It’s interesting and I’m thankful that they’re praying for me. But, I’m wondering who is Greg?” Brooks explained that Greg was one of the guys at the Vance Unit who chose to write a letter and pray all week for the kids at camp. He also told her that she could look forward to receiving another letter at the 2014 camp. This brought out the ‘Jewels in the Crown’ Luce stated, “This effort brought out the ‘jewels in the crown’ among the men at IFI-Texas.” He also said that he felt good for the kids and was proud of the men who wrote letters from the heart and who shared his sentiment: It was just the right thing to do. Letters from the Heart Star was thankful for her letter! Let all that you do, be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Transcript
Sept. 2013 Volume 5, Number 9
HERALD A LOOK BEHIND THE WALLS OF A TEXAS PRISON
And having been set free
from sin, you became
slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:18
The IFI Herald is published by
IFI-Texas
Carol S. Vance Unit
2 Jester Road
Richmond, TX 77406
281.340.8756
Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:
Graduate Profile 2222
Reentry Notes 2222
Prayer Line 2222
Editorial 3333
Scheduled Events 3
Perspective 4
Volunteer Voices 4
Program Spotlight 4
Hebrew Calendar 4
New Classes 3
By Anthony Walker
In prison, mail call is one of the most important times of the day as men anticipate receiving a letter from a loved one or a friend, sometimes only to be shattered when the mailman has no letter for them. Michael Luce, Group 49, pictured an 8-, 9-, or 10-year-old child dealing with such emotions and had a vision. Luce took the initiative and approached IFI Program Director Tommie Dorsett about a letter writing campaign, for the kids of Angel Tree Camp 2013. Dorsett embraced the idea and gave him the task of overseeing the project. The camp was scheduled for Aug. 11-15, which did not leave Luce much time to get the job done. He made his pitch to the com-munity and assembled a team to expedite the process. Luce told IFI members that the idea was to write short letters of encouragement to the kids, who have incarcerated parents. He also instructed them to write as if they were not in prison. Some members—Dan Aitkens, James Steele, Billy Morgan, Tony Duncan, Robert Davis and Benjamin Seawright—were compelled to write multiple letters. Thanks to Luce and all the men helping him, this year the Angel Tree Camp had its own special bag of mail to distribute to kids, who may or may not have heard from their own incarcerated parents. Overall, 367 letters were distributed to 155 kids.
The Angel Tree Camp is five days of horseback riding, archery, swimming, Bible dramas, campfires and plenty of food. There are special activities like hayrides, dinner at the beach and a shaving cream slide, all sponsored by Prison Fellowship Ministries and local churches. IFI Counselor Darryl Brooks spent the week with the kids. After the letters were distributed, he chose one of the campers, a young girl named Star, to ask her what she thought about the letter that she had just read. She replied, “It’s interesting and I’m thankful that they’re praying for me. But,
I’m wondering who is Greg?” Brooks explained that Greg was one of the guys at the Vance Unit who chose to write a letter and pray all week for the kids at camp. He also told her that she could look forward to receiving another letter at the 2014 camp.
This brought out the ‘Jewels in the Crown’
Luce stated, “This effort brought out the ‘jewels in the crown’ among the men at IFI-Texas.” He also said that he felt good for the kids and was proud of the men who wrote letters from the heart and who shared his sentiment: It was just the right thing to do.
Letters from the Heart
Star was thankful for her letter!
Let all that you do, be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
2
PRAYER LINE Praises Benjamin Seawright (52) – hearing restored Angel Tree Summer Camp – 155 children attended Frank Matthews (48) - returned to IFI after surgery David Renteria (52) - cousin healing after collapsed
lung
Requests John Christ (47) – surgery for diverticulitis Brent Standifer (35) – terminal cancer Laura Power (Zifers’ daughter) – neck tumor Group 53— unity and perseverance
Prayer is the Bridge Between Panic and Peace.
REENTRY
With God,
all things
are possible.
Richard Conner, Group 39, is a con-sultant with The Lasker Inn, an upscale 1870 Greek Revival-style bed, break-fast, and ballroom in Galveston. Anthony Hayward, Group 44, and Howard Applon, Group 45, showed integrity. Anthony returned $20 extra that a teller had given him. Howard found a set of wedding rings at work and gave them to the newly-wed owner. Way to go, guys!!! Love is in the Dallas-area air. Nnamdi
Ibegbu, Group 42 married Kimberly Jordan on August 17. Sylvester Mays,
Group 46, married Kesha Turner on August 24.
Recent IFI Releases:
Claudie Bendy
Michael Beauregard
Nicholas Foster
Tall Grimes
Denarius Guillory
Carl Hathaway
Jimmy Mercer
Walter Moncada
Eddie Morales
Michael Owens
Troy Taylor
Dwayne Welch
Until Charles Nowlin joined IFI-Texas, he thought he had everything he needed for a successful life. He had an education and a trade, but he lacked the main ingredient: Submission to God. Nowlin’s mother raised him in a single-parent household, doing the best that she could. However, with no strong male role models in the home, he looked to his friends for guidance. Even though he started using marijuana in the 10th grade, Nowlin maintained decent grades and graduated from high school. He then joined the Air Force and served less than a year of active duty before he left the service and returned home. Once Nowlin was out of the service, he began to use cocaine. Within a year, he committed a burglary and was placed on probation, which was later revoked. He received a 20-year sentence for aggravated kidnapping. That fall, his life began to change when a visiting preacher shared the gospel with him. In prison, he earned two Associates Degrees in Applied Science (Auto Colli-sion Repair and Upholstery), as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry. Nowlin was released in 2003 after serving 14 years. He had everything, it seemed, but he still lacked a crucial piece of the puzzle.
His plans were derailed by a relationship that sent him back to prison for four more years. The derailment was a blessing in disguise, which led him to IFI-Texas.
How IFI Helped Him in Prison
At IFI, God used his counselor, his mentor, IFI member Anthony Green (whose wed-ding he recently officiated) and programs like Maximized Manhood to show Nowlin that what he lacked was a determination to do God’s will, not his own. He threw himself into being a servant. He was the pastor of Breaking of the Bread, a Herald reporter, a peer educator and a part of the Leadership Academy.
How IFI Helped Him In Reentry
Released in 2011, Nowlin initially worked for Habitat for Humanity Homes but later opened his own business: Stone of Help Restoration. The business provides auto collision repair, upholstery repair and gen-eral services. He found that Roy Garcia, Marlon Smith and the reentry staff were committed to help him succeed. Nowlin is very active in ministry, serving as pastor and CEO of Ebenezer Ministries and associate pastor of Phileo Church. He has finally found the missing ingredient: a God-given and Spirit-directed gift “to help people understand the Bible.”
Charles Nowlin
Group 42
3
SCHEDULED EVENTS
Sept. 2013
2 Labor Day
7 CHARM Tournament
12 Freedom Walk
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
26 Freedom Walk
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
by Darrick Anderson
Practically everyone in our society is familiar with 401k plans, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, checking accounts and other financial terms. Here on the Vance Unit, I see men trying to improve their financial position by reading investment and wealth-building books with the hope of becoming wealthy or,
at least, well off. Some men can’t wait to be released so they can open their first account, start building their credit and achieve success in Wall Street terms. While there is nothing wrong with that, unfortunately many convince
themselves that the only thing they need in life to be
successful is a pile of money.
There is nothing wrong with pursuing financial success.
However, there is a far more important investment we need to
make in order for our lives to be prosperous. We all have spiritual bank accounts, and until we learn
to manage them, money alone will not lead to lasting happiness or freedom.
The IFI program offers many op-
portunities to build spiritual wealth and grow rich in the things that matter most. As Ron Zifer, the IFI program manager, frequently says, “There is a thousand dollars for each man in every class.” His concern is not simply materialistic but about building a character that will allow us to achieve wealth and be successful in life,
instead of going spiritually bankrupt after leaving IFI. Daily practice of the disciplines and core values of accountability and responsibility can put 1000’s of dollars in your spiritual investment portfolio. Don’t wait until you are released. Start investing today. Write out your manhood plan in Quest for Authentic Manhood and add spiritual over-draft protection to your account, so that you will never again be penalized for your own depravity. Take advantage of the matching contribution that Peacemakers offers. Then, the next time a conflict puts a demand on your spiritual condition, you will have more than enough in your account to still respond in love. Use the power of compound interest and make regular deposits in your own relapse prevention mutual fund by becoming in-volved in a support group or mentor relation-ship. In conclusion, while it is true that hundred dollar bills do not grow on trees, here at IFI they seem to be stuck in between the pages of the Word and on the lips of our teachers and counselors: So Get Your Thousand Dollars
Worth!
New ClassesNew ClassesNew ClassesNew Classes
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace UniversityDave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University————Led by HazelLed by HazelLed by HazelLed by Hazel Crivelli , Group 51, Mon. 5:30 Crivelli , Group 51, Mon. 5:30 Crivelli , Group 51, Mon. 5:30 Crivelli , Group 51, Mon. 5:30----7:00 pm, B Dayroom7:00 pm, B Dayroom7:00 pm, B Dayroom7:00 pm, B Dayroom Hiring TechniquesHiring TechniquesHiring TechniquesHiring Techniques————Led by Hazel Crivelli , Group 50, Wed.Led by Hazel Crivelli , Group 50, Wed.Led by Hazel Crivelli , Group 50, Wed.Led by Hazel Crivelli , Group 50, Wed. 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30----3:00 pm, New Chapel3:00 pm, New Chapel3:00 pm, New Chapel3:00 pm, New Chapel Theater ArtsTheater ArtsTheater ArtsTheater Arts————Led by Edrick Browne, every 3 weeks or when Led by Edrick Browne, every 3 weeks or when Led by Edrick Browne, every 3 weeks or when Led by Edrick Browne, every 3 weeks or when available, Fri. noon available, Fri. noon available, Fri. noon available, Fri. noon----4:00 pm, Conference Room 4:00 pm, Conference Room 4:00 pm, Conference Room 4:00 pm, Conference Room Marriage: The Covenant of Oneness Marriage: The Covenant of Oneness Marriage: The Covenant of Oneness Marriage: The Covenant of Oneness ----Led by Greg and Melissa Alvis Led by Greg and Melissa Alvis Led by Greg and Melissa Alvis Led by Greg and Melissa Alvis –––– mar- mar- mar- mar-ried members only, Fri. 12:00ried members only, Fri. 12:00ried members only, Fri. 12:00ried members only, Fri. 12:00----2:00 pm , New Chapel, Start Date :TBA2:00 pm , New Chapel, Start Date :TBA2:00 pm , New Chapel, Start Date :TBA2:00 pm , New Chapel, Start Date :TBA
Finding and Becoming a Godly Spouse Finding and Becoming a Godly Spouse Finding and Becoming a Godly Spouse Finding and Becoming a Godly Spouse ----Led by Chris and Harriet Ward Led by Chris and Harriet Ward Led by Chris and Harriet Ward Led by Chris and Harriet Ward ----Group 50, Fri. 5:00Group 50, Fri. 5:00Group 50, Fri. 5:00Group 50, Fri. 5:00----6:30 pm, New Chapel6:30 pm, New Chapel6:30 pm, New Chapel6:30 pm, New Chapel
Q: How long have you served as an IFI volunteer? A: A while back, I saw a note posted on my church’s bulletin board for vol-
unteers and felt God’s pull.
Q: What is your area of service? A: I teach English and Reading at all grade levels in the IFI Education Dept. Q: Why do you serve as a volunteer? A: I believe that for inmates having an education will be important for their
reentry.
Q: What are your rewards for service? A: I have a passion for teaching and seeing people get educated.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
The New Leaf Project Place: B Dayroom Date/Time: Thursday, 7:00-8:45pm
Phase: IV Lead Facilitator: Norma Corbitt Resource: Prison Fellowship designed facilita-
tor handbook and member workbook, plus vic-
tim speakers and videos Number of Sessions: 12, with an ending cere-mony where letters are read to their victims.
Goal: To build empathy for victims and assist men in coping with their inner pain and in seek-ing forgiveness. “New Leaf project was a very dramatic experi-ence, especially when the young victims came and expressed their pain and hurt due to their father’s absence. I had the opportunity to write a
letter to the victim of my crime, stand before the audience, and express my remorse for the crime.”
Billy Morgan
“New Leaf made me really sit down and think about all the innocent people that are so strongly affected by our senseless and selfish acts. The ripple effects of our crime reach into the very hearts of the people we claim to love.”
Paco Ortiz
“New Leaf was a time to reflect on the pain that my crime caused others. I was personally able to
ask God for forgiveness, and I prayed that one day I may ask those whom I had hurt to forgive me. In doing so, maybe I can heal and forgive those who have hurt me.”
Tommie Whitehead
Volunteers help IFI-Texas to advance the Kingdom of God. Continue to stand with it and watch what God does!
HEBREW CALENDER
Sept. 5-Oct. 4 2013
Tishri Tishri is the seventh month of the sacred calendar and associated with the tribe of Ephraim, which means double fruitfulness. The month has two High Holy days: Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trum-pets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Rosh HaShannah is a day of expectancy and hope for when the shofar will summon His Bride to the marriage feast of Yeshua, the Lamb. This expectant celebration is one of the few prophecies our Lord has yet to fulfill. Yom Kippur is a time to humble and cleanse oneself in order to enter the Holy of Holies. It is a time to embrace and give praise to Yeshua, our Advocate, who stands against our accuser, whom He has over-come with the shedding of His precious blood.
Ask the ZIFE!!!
Dear ZIFE,
How do you explain the concept of self-sufficiency and the concept of personal re-sponsibility and accountability? If it’s to be, isn’t it really up to me?
Confused in Cypress
Dear Confused in Cypress,
That’s a good question. Let’s explore the two concepts. Self-sufficiency suggests that we are the ones who achieve, without any consideration for God’s role. In the book of Joel, God used natural catastrophes, disas-ters, and sicknesses to break through His people’s illusions of self-sufficiency and to get them to recognize their need for Him. Today, whether dependent on family wealth or the government to support them, many people lack the second concept. They never learned a Judeo-Christian work ethic that calls for developing and using every bit of their God-given talents. My perspective is: “Pray as though every-thing depends on God, and work as though it all depends on you.”
