The prison ministry at Lewis Correctional Facility continues to go strong. We've seen growth in the number of men attending and in the number of volunteers who are now reaching out to the incarcerated men with the Good News of Jesus. In addition to the Bible studies at Lewis, we've seen a number of volunteers join with a one-on-one mentoring program for inmates who are nearing their release date. Please continue to pray for the prison ministry that God will use the Bible studies and the mentoring times to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to strengthen the walk of those who have turned their lives over to Christ.
The homeless ministry was something we hadn't even thought about 3 years ago when we started SMP. But the needs are great and God threw open the doors for us to work with hurting people when Gary was invited to join the West Valley Human Services Alliance. Today we are thrilled to see a number of different programs going strong to help the homeless. Please pray for these programs to impact many lives. Another Project Homeless Connect all day event will be held Thursday, August 20th. Please pray for the people who attend to hear and understand the Gospel.
When we look back over how we thought the Native ministry would be under SMP we have to smile as we see that God opened opportunities that we never imagined. When Gary was elected to the board of Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo it opened doors to minister in ways far different from what we had imagined. Three years ago we anticipated working with 1 or 2 churches to do training programs but God had a better plan. Through his work with Flagstaff Mission we can connect with 8 churches to see them grow and reach out into their communities. Some of what we do is teaching and training, like the wonderful week we had at Family Camp in June. Some of our Native ministry is done in support and encouragement for the Mission, it's staff, and members of the 8 congregations under Flagstaff Mission. Please pray for wise decisions by the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo board. Pray too for the many dedicated Native leaders on the reservation who are facing difficult trials.
As excited as we are about what God has done over the last 3 years through SMP, we are even more excited as we anticipate what He will continue to do in this ministry.
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