"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
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Today’s Newsletter
- Updates
- Prayer Requests
- From Doug
- In Closing
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UPdates
We have just finished preparing the tax receipts for those who supported NBF financially in 2009. You may have already received yours, but if it does not arrive by Monday let us know.
Christmas Eve Report: We were so pleased with the Christmas Eve program. It was wonderful from start to finish. The turn-out of men was excellent---more than 200---and they gave us their complete attention. What a privilege it was for us all to be there. The expressions on their faces at the end of the two-hour service said it all, but many made a point of grabbing a volunteer's hand and expressing their heart-felt appreciation. They were blessed, but we know the nearly 20 volunteers who were there were doubly blessed. We are so thankful for each one who gave of their time, talent, and resources to be there and make it a special day for these men. Most of these inmates have no knowledge of Jesus Christ, and some are quick to tell you they aren't interested, but on Christmas Eve they had an encounter with the love of Jesus Christ that we know they will never forget. One man sought Doug after the program to tell him, "I don't normally go in for religious stuff, but this was really nice. Thank you." That seems a small thing, but when one considers this is a man who has never attended any chapel events or services, the kind of man who complains when there is a Bible study on his block, you realize just how meaningful it was for him to say this.
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PRAYER Requests
We have some specific needs we'd like you to keep in prayer.
Healing
Please, pray for Doug's skin. He's been struggling for many weeks now. Schedules and appointments are being affected, which is very upsetting. Please, believe God with us for healing, restoration, and protection from further MRSA infection.
Software Purchase
We need to a copy of Microsoft Office for the Mac. It costs about $130. Please, pray for this need to be met.
Newly Released Men
There is a wave of New Brothers being released from the Farm and Middleton in the next few weeks. Pray they are connected to the body of Christ, either through NBF Discipleship Groups or a local church.
NBF Assistant
A wave of new releases means a wave of calls and contacts that need to be made, and that reminds us of the great need we have for a man who is willing to work with Doug as a ministry assistant / intern. We have been praying for some time now for this position to be filled, but the right man has not yet come forward. We do believe there is a man for this job, so we continue to wait and pray.
Please, pray with us, and not only for him to come forward, but for him to be prepared for the position. Also, pray for the Lord to provide a stipend for him. The right man for the job will want to give 10-20 hours a week to NBF and the prison chaplaincy, so we believe he should receive some financial support.
If you want to know more about this position, please contact us and we will pass along the job description, expectations, etc. If you would like to help financially support this position, we would love to hear from you, too. :)
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FROM Doug...
"It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak, they are Spirit and they are life."
What a challenging thing it is for anyone to go from living by our natural understanding, tendencies, and habits, and move into a life of faith, the invisible, trusting Someone Who says of salvation that it is like the wind that cannot be seen. I would even submit that it is this process that we spend the rest of our lives entering into after coming to a saving faith in Christ.
Teaching men to walk in the Spirit is what the Lord has called us to do. It is also what He has put on my heart recently as the priority of my personal ministry to men. Spiritual transformation cannot be attained intellectually. It is something that only God can do. It mandates faith in His promises. That is how Peter explains we become partakers of Christ's divine nature, through "great and precious promises." Faith without sight is no joke. It's TOUGH. Especially for men who very often can't even trust the man next to them.
Pray for this New Year and the work God is doing by His Spirit in Middleton, the FARM, and the other five state facilities we minister in. Pray for the men who are attending NBF Discipleship Groups. The Lord says, "Faithful is He Who called you Who also will complete it." God WILL finish what He starts! Praise the Lord for His unknowable faithfulness. May He complete what He's begun in you as well. Blessings to you all this New Year.
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IN Closing
We heard a wonderful message online this week that we'd like to share with you. It is from Hannah's pastor at Mont Zion, Rev. Tim Williams. It is a message about Samson, but it is a word for every Believer. LINK We believe you will be blessed by this short sermon called, The Fall of Samson.
We have a lot of hope for this new year. There are new possibilities and opportunities ahead, new doors to go through. We really need your prayer support, though, more than ever. Please, intercede for us. Pray with us for this ministry and the Essex County chaplaincy.
We also want to thank you all who give to this ministry financially. It means so much more to us than just our income. Your giving means your partnership with us in this work. It means we aren't here alone. Thank you! We thank God for you.
Serving Christ,
Doug and Caroline Gregan
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