Back Pain Does Not Stop, Neither Does the Mininstry
Back Pain Does Not Stop, and Neither Does The Ministry
I would love to tell you, all my back problems are a thing of the past. My condition is best summed up, by what Alice tells our friends, “I have my good days and bad days”. Two months ago, I visited with a new neurologist. He told me he could remove the hardware out of my back and fuze then my L5-sciatic disc, in and outpatient basis, using a laproscopic technic. The problem I face, I am not mentally ready to undergo a seventh major surgical procedure.
Even with this going on in our family, the ministry is still a blessing of blessings to us. Due to a major conflict of interest and a difference in opinions, with the Warden on the Gurney Unit, I was told I could no longer teach my New Live Behavior class or preach on this facility. I for one believe this warden does not believe in the redemption of mankind or have much use for religious volunteers or Chaplain’s. As a result, I was suspended for six months from entering any TDCJ unit and teaching. While I could not physically go in, I was still studying with students through the New Live Behavior correspondence lessons.
On the Coffield and Michael units. I had to recruit volunteers to help. The Coffield and Michael unit services continue to meet at the same time each Lord’s Day. I preach on the Michael unit, along with Pinkney Butler and Ryan Cowan. Brother Buttler, stepped up as I had to wait for 6 months to be permitted back into the prisons. On the Michael Unit, we have witnessed a growth in numbers, larger than the regular protestant programming, with over 110 in attendance and 25 baptisms, in the last six months. I am now making contact with several Chaplains, who are open to my programing. I am trying to get a time slot in the 2012 program schedule. This will get my mid week schedule back to where it use to be. I will just need to pace myself.
With the problems, I had with my youngest son, I continue to learn valuable lessons. “In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight, in all your ways acknowledge Him…” The outpouring of prayers for my family, from various members of the church, both here in Palestine and Dallas, Tyler and Lancaster, Ohio give us the strength to make it through each day. I overcome my back pain daily. Today, I am free of the strong medication. One offender told me, “if I wasn’t doing something good for the church, Satan wouldn’t be bothering me.” So I must be doing something good, Satan seems to be attacking me around every corner.
Please keep our family in prayer. Michael for his wayward ways, Daniel for his continued academic achievements at Stephen F. Austin University, Alice for her strength to continue her work and for myself, my back pain and the ministry to those incarcerated, inside the prisons of East Texas.
Vernon Rose Going Home after Twenty-Seven Years
After twenty-Seven years of incarceration, one of my first students will soon be getting out. This last Sunday, he pilled me to the side to let me know he finally made parole. He will be going to a Christian after care program in Lindale, Texas, in November. Vernon is a over 60 years old. He spent the majority of his life behind the walls. He was one of our first counseling couples mentor – mentee.
When the Michael Unit first opened in 1987, Vernon Rose was transferred to the newly constructed Michael Unit. Prior to his move, he was on the Walls Unit, in Huntsville, Texas. There his first mentors were Luke Curtis and Freddie Anderson.
When the first church of Christ service was called out, Vernon was one of the first to show up in the chapel. I could spend volumes on this mans character as a Man of God. Three years ago, the Unit Administration of the Michael Unit, acknowledged him to be the only units offender minister.
Vernon is a dynamic Preacher. However, I’ve been trying to instruct him to stop using offender slag in his sermons. He realizes when he returns to society, most of those listening to him, will not understand many of his illustrations. He will be paroling to an after care facility called “Calvary Commission.” He must complete a minimum of six to nine months. For the last two years he has taken time to train other offenders, there on the Michael unit, to step up and take his position. I’ve asked Vernon to write a letter for me, when he does I will publish it for all to read.
Gurney Unit Continues to See Unprecedented Numbers Responding
Over the last several weeks, Eddie Frazier, one of my Gurney unit team members, sent me the last two weeks of the numbers and names of the offenders who responded to the Gospel Message. In the last two weeks, 41 men requested to be baptized. He told me, in his email this is approximately 596 men this year and the total since beginning is close to or slightly over 17,000 men.
I know these numbers are some hard to believe. Because Gurney is the first step, as offenders begin their trip through the Criminal Justice system. We find a large number of men, acknowledging their guilt and cry out to God, just as we read in Acts 2:37f. It is exciting to see 20 to 30 men responding to put Christ on in Baptism. Thank you for making this mission work an awesome part of our life.
