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EE Prison Ministry
Prayer Letter
March - April 2008
Monthly Publication / Issue 2
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Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
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During the month of March I traveled to Trinidad in response to an
invitation from the Trinidad Commissioner of Prisons and Prison Fellowship
(PF).
Rev. Clifton Charles (PF leader and Director for EE International) had
informed the Commissioner and other PF leaders about the miraculous impact
that our ministry is having on the prison system in the US . After some
investigation, the Commissioner decided to invite me over to give a
seminar/workshop to his officers.
Before my arrival, PF and the Commissioner had considered a plan to
implement EEPM in every prison on the Island . In an effort to assure
success of the program, the Commissioner decided to first train his
officers and prepare them for their part in the implementation of the plan.
Consequently, on March 1 I provided training to fifty-five officers and
several of the commissioner's executive staff along with PF leadership.
During the seminar, I shared with the group how Trinidad will be known
for the history that was being made in their honest and unselfish effort to
see inmates lives changed for the better. EEPM has a 2.3% recidivism rate
on record which indicates that almost all prisoners who take our course and
are released don't go back to prison. Trinidad officials will put our
course to the ultimate test. And, we welcome the challenge as we know that
the EEPM study is bathed in God's favor and blessings.
At the completion of the seminar/workshop I received very thorough
post-evaluations from each participant and the overall response was
outstanding!
Trinidad,
Port of Spain
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Rev. Clifton
& Pearl Charles
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Following the seminar I was
invited to minister in music and preach at the “new” World Wide
Church of God. At the conclusion of my message a few responded for
salvation and several others for prayer.
The next morning I was invited to minister in music and preach at Couva
Revival Center . My health was very poor when I started worship and it
progressively got worse. By the time I started preaching, I was so sick
that I had to finish my message sitting down. The Lord sustained me and at
the conclusion of the message over fifteen responded for salvation and many
others for prayer. Pastor Lew Thonson and his church hospitality leaders
ministered to me in my sickness and I returned to my lodging place to rest.
Shortly after I settled in my room for rest, I received an email from
Gina (my assistant) to call home. I called home and she informed me that
the office had caught on fire and the firefighters had just put it out. . .
Office
Fire
My first response was shock and dismay. But, I was quickly relieved when
she told me that no one was hurt and the damage was only to the office. She
tried to explain the seriousness of the damage, but I couldn't comprehend
it at that time. I could only conclude in my heart that the enemy (the
devil) was mad over the good work that had been accomplished in Trinidad .
However, I was at peace in my heart knowing that God had protected my
family and home (which is fifteen feet from the office) and that He would
ultimately work this out for the good of His prison ministry.
The fire department concluded that the fire was caused by an electrical
short in the air conditioning unit. The insurance company came and
completed their investigation. We took an inventory of the items that we
knew were lost in the fire and submitted a list to the insurance company
for the lost items totaling $32,279.00 dollars. The insurance company just
recently responded that our policy will only cover up to $2,500.00 for items
that were used for business. I was able to retrieve the policy which was
partially damaged in the fire and sent a copy to our lawyer along with a
breakdown of the list of items that I had submitted to the insurance
company.
We are now praying and awaiting word from our lawyer before
re-contacting the insurance company to determine exactly what they are
liable to reimburse us.
We are looking at over fifteen years of accumulated items that have been
extremely helpful in the successful operation of this ministry to the
incarcerated church and their families. Three of our staff of six are now
completely working from their homes. Three of us are working part-time in a
small room in my home. It's a bit close, but, it is what it is, and, it's
the most “economical” working situation for now. However, we are
finding that with the loss of our specialized printer equipment and office
supplies, we are unable to fulfill some of our simple and basic day-to-day
office operations. Additionally, we are not able to send out this prayer
letter to everyone because we no longer have our “bulk mail' printer
and the cost to mail without it is more than we can afford.
We really need the complete intervention and favor of the Lord. Please,
join us in fasting and prayer that we are reimbursed for all that we have
lost and that we will be able to rebuild to a more pronounced vision and
improved ability to minister to the incarcerated and their families.
God has sent us a Christian builder and friend who has the expertise and
wisdom to rebuild very “economically.” We give thanks to the Lord
for this blessing!
Meanwhile, we wait in prayer, thanksgiving and confidence that God will
work this all out for the good of His prison ministry and for the good of
His ministry servants.
We are grateful to many of you who have called and/or sent prayer
letters and gifts over and above your regular offerings for the rebuilding
of the office. Thank you. Anyone else wanting to contribute to the
rebuilding project, please, indicate it on your check or on the return slip
contained in this letter.
Thank you all for your prayers and concern for the well-being of our
family and this ministry.
We love you, Art & Jill & staff
The Banquet
Thank you to everyone who either
attended the banquet or provided sponsorship for others to attend. We had a
blast!
In addition to all of the fun and games, we were able to raise
$236,336.92 in pledges, gifts and offerings. Our goal was $300,000.00 .
Meanwhile, we have adjusted the allocation of the budget as outlined in the
budget section of this letter and will operate accordingly until we receive
to full budget.
Thank you all for your support and commitment to assist us in
training the incarcerated church and proclaiming the Gospel to the
prisoners. All Heaven is rejoicing!
Prayer Needed
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Tammy Jenkins was one who responded to an email she received
about the office fire. We received an email from another supporter explaining
that Tammy is home with three young children while her husband Eric
serves our country in Afghanistan . He is stationed in one of the
most dangerous areas in the Middle East . Please take a moment and lift
up the Jenkins family and our other brave servicemen and women in prayer.
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An Inmate Appeal for Help
Dear Brother Art,
My name is Timothy. I am an inmate at
Pulaski Correctional Unit in Coburn, VA. Before being transferred from the
Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda , VA , I was an EE
participant. I successfully completed levels 1 & 2 and also enjoyed
facilitating both levels as well. Upon my arrival at Pulaski, I discovered
there was no chaplain here – but there is now. I recently had the
opportunity to speak with him in reference to EE. There was an instant
connection. What do you know, he informs that he has met the requirements
to be a qualified EE trainer and has completed levels 1 & 2 as well. He
also had an opportunity to meet our beloved Brother Kennedy; he will truly
be missed! I am writing in reference to getting this facility plugged into
the EE Prison Ministry. I'm sure that the Holy Spirit has already gone far
ahead of us all and we have the green light! I was also informed that EE
offers Level 3. I'm very much interested in apologetics. Could you please
aid me in receiving this course? I am very excited about these matters.
Brother Art, I would be very grateful for
any consideration that you would give these matters. Enclosed is the
chaplain's phone number and prison address. He's waiting to hear from you –
and so am I. To GOD be the glory, great things He has done! GOD through EE
and the power of the Holy Spirit has shown me so many wonderful spiritual
resources in which I have yet to tap into. I thank GOD for entrusting us
with His Holy Spirit and divine Word - and this ministry. And I do realize
that if anything will be accomplished through my life, it's solely GOD's
doing and not mine!
Please write me back asap. I must stay sharp
because the harvest is plentiful and EE really works!
May the love of Christ keep you steadfast,
unmovable, and always abounding in the works of the Lord.
Brother Timothy
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My Response
Dear Brother Timothy,
It is so exciting to hear how the Lord is moving on your heart and it
is also exciting to hear about your desire to participate in our upper
level evangelism training. Actually, we have levels three and four.
Level three is a thirteen-unit study on apologetics and helps the
student respond to tough questions about the Bible. L evel four is a
course study on communication skills and how to handle problems in witnessing
situations.
We are excited about contacting the Chaplain and coordinating with him
to get EE started at your facility. As you may know, our goal is to
implement EE at every prison in the US over the next 20 years. It seems
that God is helping us to achieve our goal through many different means
and different people; your transfer and love for the ministry and
determination has proven to be a means to an end. And, the fact that the
Chaplain is EE trained just puts “icing on the cake.” Praise
the Lord!
However, we are currently working prudently to operate within a
financial budget that is provided by our supporters. At present, we do
not have the finances to start EE at your facility in Virginia .
Consequently, will you pray with us as we make this need known to our
supporters? Please, pray that someone will sponsor the kick-off of EE at
your facility. Until that time, we will be praying for you in your
ministry witnessing and outreach on the prison compound.
We will be contacting the Chaplain to inform him of our desire to
offer EE at the facility and will be coordinating the start up effort at
a time designated by God and through the generosity of His people.
Blessings my brother, please remain faithful and prayerful and we will
look to the Lord for a speedy response to your appeal. Brother Art
Anyone who would like to sponsor this effort,
please, send in a donation towards the $500.00 required to start levels 1
and 3.
Thank you for your faithfulness in giving and
prayer. God bless you, Art
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Date
Apr 24-27 FL Panhandle prisons w/ Indiana Northside Baptist
Choir
May 3 Florida Drug Center – Sebring, Fl
May 4 Columbia CI EE Graduation, Lake City , Fl
May 6 2009 Banquet Meeting- Sarasota, Fl
May 10 Meet with Hispanic Pastors, Avon PK, FL
May 11 Preach at Community Bible Chapel– Sarasota, Fl
May 14-18 –SYF & Men's workshop- Nassau , Bahamas
May 19-23 EE Leadership Clinic – Detroit , MI
May 25 Preach at Northridge Church – Haines City , FL
May 30 – June 8 SBC Missions outreach – West Virginia
June 14 – June22 EE – Trinidad, Port of Spain
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Purchase Arthur's
latest CD's at www.isaiahrecords.com, or at Living Word, Family Christian
Book Store, and at Borders Book Store in Sarasota, FL
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Ministry
Budget
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Monthly
Expenses
Ministry
Operation;
Travel
Operating
expenses, Inmate training and Materials
Staff
Salaries
Health
Insurance
Administrative
Fees
Total
Supporter Pledge:
Total
Budget Requirement:
Monthly
Income
January – April 2008
Total Income
Total Expenses
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Cost
$1600.00
$6,118.00
8,587.00
$436.00
$2954.00
$19,695
$25,000.00
$ 59,365.00
$ 42,365.00
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Please, pray with us
that we receive the total supporter pledge each month. We have a budget
that requires more than the pledge. Consequently, we can only expense
within the amount actually received. We welcome new supporters and ask that
those who are able to increase their giving indicate it on the donation
return slip.
We
really appreciate your support and faithfulness in giving and prayer. God
bless you, Art
If you would like
to donate to EE Prison Ministry Please
click here
(Unless requested, contribution
statements will be mailed in January2006)
Become an EE Prison Ministry volunteer
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