Volunteering is Life Changing...My Story...

Outreach Missions – Friendship Providers in Action – Prison Ministry (M2/W2)

I have been asked by many people, “Why do you bother with ‘those’ people, why do you go to the streets in the scuzzy areas of the city and go into the prisons with convicted criminals?” You know the ones, the so-called losers of society, the people you walk by silently without looking at them or you say to yourself ‘they put themselves there’.

All I know is that each and every person I meet ‘out there’, whether they are physically, emotionally or spiritually lacking what ‘society’ calls normal, these people are still part of God’s creation and are His children. For most of these people, living like this is not a choice that was made willingly but was brought upon by circumstances usually beyond their own comprehension. They are the lost sheep! (Matt. 18:10-14) We are not to abandon them anymore than we would give up on our own children should they stray from what we have taught them.

If you ever stop and talk to any of them for just a moment you would most likely hear a story that would have you thanking our Lord for the blessings He placed upon you. I feel I was so fortunate that my blessings happened even before I knew and accepted Jesus as my Savior. With His protection over the years, taking me to the edge and then drawing me back, I have learned that I could have been on the streets or in prison, had I not been protected by God’s loving kindness and grace…and for that I thank God each and every day.

If you are up for a challenge and willing to get out of your comfort zone, this may be the ministry for you. You will be blessed in so many ways!!!

Affirmation of Faith...

Following is the Affirmation of Faith that Pastor Dean had in the Scaling the Summit material (page 12,13 Spiritual Conflict)

I think it is worth saving and putting in your bible (or somewhere where you will read it)

My Affirmation of Faith (Read Daily)


I recognize that there is only one true and living God (Ex. 20:2-3), who exists as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and He is worthy of all honour, praise and worship as the Creator, Sustainer and the Beginning and End of all things (Rev. 4:11,5:9-10; Isa. 43:1,7,21).

I recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1,14). I believe He came to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8), that He disarmed the rulers and Authorities and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (Col 1:13-14).

I believe that God has proven His love for me, because when I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Rom. 5:8). I believe that He delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to His kingdom and in Him I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).

I believe that I am now a child of God (1 John 3:1-3) and that I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6). I believe that I was saved by the grace of God through faith, that it was a gift and not the result of any works on my part (Eph. 2:8).

I choose to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10). I put no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3), for the weapons of my warfare are not of the flesh (2 Cor. 10:4). I put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10-17) and I resolve to stand firm and resist the evil one.

I believe that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18) and that He is the head over all rule and authority (Col. 2:10). I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to Christ in me because I am a member of Christ’s body (Eph. 1:19-23). I therefore obey the command to resist the devil (James 4:7) and I command him in the name of Christ to leave my presence.

I believe that apart from Christ I can do nothing (John 15:5), so I declare my dependence on Him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify the Lord (John 15:8). I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord (1 Cor. 12:3) and I reject any counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life.

I believe the truth will set me free (John 8:32) and that walking in the light is the only path of fellowship (1 John 1:7). Therefore I stand against Satan’s deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard (2 Tim. 3:15-17). I choose to speak truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

I choose to present my body as an instrument of righteousness; a living and holy sacrifice and I renew my mind by the living Word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect (Rom. 6:13, 12:1-2).

I ask my heavenly Father to fill me with His Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), to lead me into all truth (John 16:13) and to empower my life so that I may live above sin and not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). I crucify the flesh (gal. 5:24) and choose to walk by the Spirit.

I renounce all selfish goals and choose the ultimate goal of love (1 Tim. 1:5). I choose to obey the greatest commandments, to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind and to love my neighbour as myself (Matt 22:37-39).