2018 Newsletter Archive Vault

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Undeniable Impact

For those of you who were at Impact Night about a month ago, we had a great time, great testimonies, great demonstration of ministry impact, and even a great response to our ministry needs. Donations topped $13,000! We are grateful and God is good. Although our numbers still show us in the red for the year, that's a matter of prayer rather than panic.

Those attending Impact Night also had the chance to hold actual copies of inmate responses to the effectiveness of our in-prison Bible studies, some of which are excerpted on the back. The common thread is obvious…together we are making a difference.

The Bible studies in prison (which are the main focus of the inmate feedback being published this month), the transitional housing, the mentoring after prison, everything we do is having an impact. The featured letters are inmates themselves compelled to express appreciation.

The impact we are having as a ministry is undeniable. The importance of this impact is also undeniable. Fatherless homes are devastating our society and the magnitude of how many inmates grow up without a father in the home is a commonality too consistent to ignore.

Every inmate we reach is one more solution to this problem. The appreciation for our impact and what our volunteers mean to the men we minister to is particularly evident in the letters being published. There are many more than those featured.

It is clear to anyone closely associated with Alpha that our challenge is not the impact we are having, but getting our message out so more people are aware of the fact that they can be involved.

The problems we face may seem daunting. The solution is surprisingly simple. Jesus is a genuine redeemer. It may be simple but getting that message out is hard work.

Taken from the Fall/Winter Newsletter, November 2018

Inmate Responses to One-on-One Bible Study

From Douglas:

This ministry has blessed me so much over the 18 months or so that I have been a discipler for Alpha Ministries. From the day I took my first lesson through today, I have discipled over six or eight students; the majority have stayed to become disciplers and dear friends.

I could not ask for a better group of disciples of Christ, who have continued to bless me outside of Alpha, have encouraged me in the Lord, and acted as true brothers ought. These men that come to Alpha have such a hunger for a relationship with Jesus Christ that they electrify the atmosphere with their excitement.

Elroy and the team at Alpha make such a difference in my life and in other's lives that I find my weekly session to be greatly anticipated. Since Alpha graduates have a 98% success rate for people who do not return to prison, that leads me to believe that something is changing these lives. That is uncommon.

The study materials you provide make a lasting impression on those who receive them. I have seen men going from being despondent over going to prison, to being excited at finding out they have a reason for living…and a reason to continue every day.

From John:

I just want to take the opportunity to thank you for this program. I am new to Alpha Ministries; however the program was impactful already for me in yard ministry. When talking to non believers I am able to draw on an ever increasing well of knowledge from the word.

One-to-One discipleship training is very effective. It helps me want to serve God and not myself, and through God, his sheep, anything to help this program, will help others like me want to be a better human being and Christian.

From Melvin:

I want to thank you for the books on One-to-One fellowship/discipleship which help in teaching very clearly what my role is as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and how to mature into a seasoned ambassador for God's kingdom who can lead other men to Christ.

Please do not stop doing what you're doing. New men come in every week—not all stay but the seed is planted, God provides the increase. It doesn't hurt that we have a “great volunteer in our beloved Elroy!” Thank you.

From David:

I've been coming to this program for a little over a month. It's truly been a great learning experience for me. I've grown closer to God, his word, and my peers as well. It challenges me to think and have a better outlook on the word.

From Eric:

We would like to thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts for all you and Alpha Ministries does for us. It is good for believers to come together and hear and learn the truth. These priceless One-to-One booklets are most beneficial. As iron sharpens iron, so man a sharpens another man. May our loving Father bless you and your families for all you do in Jesus mighty name.

From Jason:

I just began attending the studies provided and TRULY enjoy the heart and spirit put into the material. All who are supporters of the ministry need to know they are being prayed for and held in mind. Thank you and may Jesus be our strength.

From Thomas:

Alpha has meant a lot to me during this time of my incarceration. Thank you for sending the material and providing such a great person as Elroy. He has meant a lot to me in a way that has gotten me through a lot. My fiancee passed away while being in here and Elroy provided a listening ear. Alpha has taught me a lot to help me gain a perspective—something I can share with others.

From Dustin:

I would like to thank you for the amazing opportunity to be part of God's family in prison. By your obedience in serving God, you have afforded myself and many others in here to be discipled and learn how to disciple others.

The materials and volunteers help lead many to a deeper relationship with Christ, and help increase the fellowship between us as brothers, and with our Father. Thank you so much for your love for God and for us. We love you!

Taken from the Fall/Winter Newsletter, November 2018

Impact Night 2018

Last year, we rightfully renamed our annual banquet to Impact Night to more accurately reflect what it really is. It is exciting that many of the same people show up every year and we don't want that part to change. For one, our volunteers and supporters are in this group and honoring you and expressing our appreciation for what you do is a crucial goal of this annual event.

But if we stop there, we would be failing to showcase the true impact you are having and denying others the chance to be a part of helping to reverse a strategic attack Satan is making against families, fathers, and even this nation. The effect (impact) you are having is phenomenal and we want not only for you to see it, but share it with others so the forces of hell tremble when God's people unite to take back the territory the devil has sought to conquer.

Most of you receiving this newsletter, and especially you who attend our annual banquets, need no convincing. But anyone exposed to the work of APM, either closer up because they've not attended a banquet, or a first time exposure because of an invitation, are enlightened and awed at the impact reaching out to prisoners can have.

The purpose of Impact Night goes beyond honoring our volunteers (they most definitely deserve that) and giving everyone an opportunity to gain eternal rewards by partnering with us financially, but to invite others to help raise awareness so we can take back territory the enemy has worked so hard to control.

Imagine if your efforts got just one or two others to attend and see how a small amount of time and/or resources can make such incredible impact. That's a significant part of what Impact Night is about.

EDIT: Impact Night 2018 in October is now over but the impact it had and the funds raised live on forever. Thank you for your support.