However, numbers of people alone are not significant unless they actively support or serve the group’s mission.  I often remember how God strategically assigned specific duties to His armies of the Old Testament.  Many biblical illustrations describe such plans of God and a few of which can be found in the stories of Gideon, Jericho, and even the establishment of Israel’s twelve tribes.  CMCA can use this same model as it moves forward.  God loves to see His people use the talents, strengths, and gifts that he has created in them.  Already, God is inspiring peole to do just that and they have discovered ways to assist in the association’s goals.  I simply ask each of us to pray that God  show  us how we can each serve CMCA in the mission to improve ministry to the correctional world.

In reflection of the Holiday Season before us, I want to say that I am grateful to God that I can be a part of the growing CMCA family.  I am thankful that we have a body of believers that have committed their lives to pray for each other and positively change the world for many people (even those behind bars).  I am looking forward to serving you through the many days ahead as God directs us.  During Thanksgiving, let’s be sure to remember those in prayer who cannot celebrate with their families.  Thank you for your commitment and fellowship.

Praying with you,

Dr. Michael L. Reighard, President
Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association
417-425-3115
mnr@netscape.com
Institute for Prison Ministries
Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College
500 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Most generally, a person would not be happy experiencing hospital stays and medical conditions that could be considered life threatening. However, when such experiences increase faith and enhance personal relationships with Christ, these situations are well worth the struggles.

I recently returned from a 3 week mission’s trip to Uganda. I had been there before with excellent memories of God’s life changing power moving in people’s lives. However, this time I did not feel a peace about going. No matter how hard I tried to find peace, I did not receive it. I felt within myself that there were going to be serious problems. So much so, that I told Neda (my wife) and my immediate family to pray that I make it back. She questioned whether I should go. I told her that I felt compelled (by the Holy Spirit) to go, but I had serious concerns about some sort of danger. Even Dr. Manuel Cordero, the team leader, was hesitant about something. I questioned whether I was hearing God or my own unknown fears. But, I continued with the direction I felt He was leading.  

The trip turned out to be very successful for the Kingdom. We held three Pastoral/Empowerment Conferences, shared the Gospel at three orphanages/schools, preached at two business colleges (75 students made decisions for Christ), held a pastoral marriage seminar for pastors, shared Christ’s love at an HIV Clinic, and preached at 7 prisons. In addition to the Holy Spirit’s work in the services, approximately 350 people committed their life to Christ. God was faithful. Just before returning home, my body began showing signs of internal bleeding. I pushed that possibility aside by believing it was something I had eaten. However, the next day after returning home, I became dizzy and the signs of internal bleeding became undeniably obvious. I ended up in the emergency room with approximately 1/3 of my blood already depleted. The doctor informed me of the seriousness of my situation and that I was going to be hospitalized. At that moment, the Lord confirmed to me, that this was the reason that prayer was needed for protection and to bring me back home. By the time I was checked into my hospital room and another lab test was performed, I had only ½ of my blood left. A transfusion was inevitable and a diagnosis desperately needed. That diagnosis was timely and the repairing of a bleeding ulcer brought the beginning of recovery.

I recalled what the Lord said much more clearly when the doctor informed me, that, “if this would have happened earlier in Uganda, you would not have recovered”. The fact is that the possibility of my bleeding was actually more likely to have begun when I first arrived in Uganda, but God was in control. This reality assured me that God was faithful in answering prayer. Normally, a person would have a difficult time finding the good in such an event. However, God revealed several things that will stay with me for life:

1. I heard God’s voice (an intimacy with God) (He wants to be intimate with all of his children) 
2. He did not remove His calling, but warned me of real danger
3. He gave me direction (pray)
4. He overcame and assured me He was in control
5. He increased my faith and trust in Him through this experience

I praise God for His faithfulness in this situation!

Among the trip’s accomplishments, there was one that has now stood out. While preaching at the Lugazi prison 99 out of 104 inmates stood to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. The pastor who is responsible for this prison ministry is James Kibowe. He has become one of our fellow members of CMCA. The officers and the administrator at this prison were moved so deeply that they themselves want to disciple the inmates. They have requested of Pastor James that he find literature courses they can use to assist the inmates in their spiritual journey in Christ. In over 30 years of prison ministry, I have never heard of such a request. God has blessed and opened a great door. Dr. Swanson, Institute for Prison Ministries and Dr. Schuringa, Crossroad Bible Institute have agreed to send literature and Bibles to aid them in this remarkable ministry. This opportunity provides us an example of how effective the Lord can be through CMCA’s collaboration and promotion of the evangelical message.

Many more testimonies of God’s miraculous work will be made known as CMCA moves forward.

Dr. Michael L. Reighard, President
Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association
mnr@netscape.com 

2011 National Prisoner Reentry Conference

TONIGHT IN ATLANTA:

Free session where pastors and church leaders can learn how to minister to families that have been impacted by incarceration.

Reaching the Church with Reentry
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel
7:00 – 9:00 pm 

See brochure for details.

Serving with you,
Dr. Karen Swanson, Treasurer
Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association

Dear Mike,

What a blessings and joy to hear from you!  I am looking forward to the future of being a part of a movement that I believe whose time has come in the correctional ministry landscape.

The Lord is moving in the prisons of the world and He expects His people to be right alongside in the great harvest of souls for the Kingdom!

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and the leadership team in the coming days as you steer the course that will bring the movement great effectiveness and blessing to many lives impacted by crime!

Thank you for your warm welcome!  I am truly excited and looking forward to a richly rewarding partnership and fellowship in the bond of the gospel.

May His peace be yours in abundance!

Blessings,

Chaplain Aparosa Rageci
Suva, Fiji

The truth that manifests itself through my boyhood memory is that I could never see down the path very far. The lamp’s brilliance was limited to the proximity of an area around my feet. It never went far enough for me to see a distance down the path. This limitation forced me to become comfortable with every step and be assured I was where I was supposed to be. It allowed me to trust in the path before me because I knew it would take me to my destination. I could not see every curve, obstacle, or the distance that lay before me.  But I grew accustom to walking with a lamp at night.

So it is in our spiritual lives, God does not always allow us to see the whole path, but desires us to have a walk of faith. He is delighted when we trust Him as we plant every step solidly on the path He has set before us.  We become confident when we trust God and we experience His peace. We can also enjoy the anticipation of watching our Lord navigate through obstacles and provide miracles as He brings our vision to fruition. We become stronger as we experience His faithfulness and deliverance, using these as testimonies in our lives.

Personally, I have learned to love not seeing the whole path before me, but just having confidence that the path I am on is the path God has directed me to walk. What else matters when God is our navigator and we just enjoy His fellowship along this journey? We can never know the satisfaction of experiencing a God-given vision unless we faithfully place our steps on His revealed path. It is not following our wisdom or our desire that leads us to the next step it is only His light that plants our feet on the solid path to our destination.  

So it is with our journey together in CMCA. We know we are on the right path, we have the vision, and we have our navigator, Jesus Christ. We can see down the path to the degree God allows us to, but with every turn we see a greater revelation and understanding. He is surely in control as we commit to prayer. We have planned our course but God directs our steps as he gives light unto our feet.  Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

I share this as we move forward down the CMCA path. The more time I spend in correctional ministry, the more convinced I am that God is truly uniting our hearts together in the CMCA vision. Even as we read these words, men and women need us to receive this unshakeable Kingdom collaboration. We are moving forward at every turn. PTL

Serving with you,
Dr. Michal L. Reighard, President
Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association

Thank you for your continued support.  We are privileged to share in this journey together with you.