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Jeremiah Prison Ministry Newsletter

JPM is an outreach of Martinsburg Christian Center, Martinsburg, WV Celebrated 13 years of Prison Ministry in 2012
I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU VISITED ME MATT. 25:36B We are serving Him by serving them! His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 04

MARCH 2013

Revs. Tom & Monica

OUR MISSION & VISION Our Mission to help men in prison reach their fullest in the Lord. What we do Ministering to their spirit, soul and body, though one on one mentoring as their spiritual advisor and friend. How we began Jeremiah Prison Ministry began on November 30, 1999, which was birth out of a bond for a young man that made a wrong choice in life.. Our Vision to be able to go into the prison chapels without the inmates having to take us off their visiting list. We know with God ALL things ARE Possible! 69 men have been released in 13 years. We still are ministering to 68 inmates in 5 states.

WOW.. Its Spring Time! I love going outside and hearing the birdies chirping. I know then its spring. We are waiting to see the spring flowers bloom. I always wonder where they go when it rains and snows. I know you dont see or hear them when a storm is coming until it has passed. It tells me that God gave these creatures the instinct to seek refuge from the storms and for us God is our refuge during the storms of life. God is so good to us! Sometimes the seasons of life can be challenging but with our God we know He will never leave us nor forsake us. Tom and I are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with our health. We continue to go to the prisons to visit the inmates. Please continue to pray for us and know we are making it with Jesus! Graterfriends Newsletters.. http://www.prisonsociety.org/#!graterfriends/c10ca At a recent visit I was reminded about Graterfriends Newsletter by the Pennsylvania Prison Society. Since 2002, The Prison Society has produced Graterfriends. Graterfriends is a monthly publication that allows prisoners and residents to voice their opinions and concerns about criminal justice issues. The newsletter strives to maintain communication between prisoners and the outside community. I have read some of the issues over the past 13 years in prison ministry. It is available to read online. I scanned through the March edition as it keeps the inmates up to date on legislative items. The one concern at the moment is HB236 -Parole criteria: parole not to be granted until an individual serves at least 85 percent of his/her maximum sentences. Its currently in House Judiciary Committee as of 1/22/13. It is a bill for second, third or more offenders. If you would like a copy of HB236 let me know I can email or mail it to you. PA DOC TO CLOSE TWO PRISONS by Elwood Gladney While scanning through the March edition I found an article written by an inmate we see at Huntingdon SCI and want to share it with you. Im sure youve heard the news of two proposed SCI closings. You have to wonder what factored into choosing these two (Greensburg and Cresson). Is it because they are smaller than the others? They are newer much newer than SCI Huntingdon. They must be easier to maintain than this facility, which opened in 1889; better ventilation, less cost to heat. Better air flow helps in cutting medical costs. I have secondary pneumonia, due to secondhand smoke, because there are no solid doors here. Now, I know stuff here would be in an uproar if this facility were to be closed. With contracts though, wouldnt the staff be given first choice at the new facility? I pray there are public hearings to look at all aspects of the cost breakdowns for all the SCIs. How is this older place more cost effective than two smaller, newer SCIs? I see how long the medical lines are because of the flu. Do we have more cases than the newer SCIs? When the governor decides to do such things, does he use complete cost break downs?

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Page 2 We are still rejoicing in the SCOTUS ruling! Keeping you informed about the PA Courts to change the sentencing laws for juvenile offender serving life without parole. No news so far, keep praying. PRAYER CORNER ~Pray for Kevin, Mike, Domingo, Michael, & Richard that God blesses them financially. ~Pray for Larry, Ricky, Lewis, Corey, Bob, Greg, & Eric to receive favor for commutation and retrials. ~Pray for Jeremiah as we continue to believe for a miracle for his release. ~Pray for continued healing for Bob, Larry, & Harvey. ~Pray our granddaughter Leah remains cancer free. She graduated from high school and now has a job. ~Pray for Andy our grandson, he carries a 4.0 avg. at DSU. He will have more surgery in May. ~Pray for all our family spiritually, physically and financially. ~Pray continue to for my brother, Norman. Pray for Toms brother, John, as he is on dialysis. ~Pray for the salvation of the world. Pray for inmates and their families, our Nation, our leaders, our military and their families. ~Pray for prison reform in our nation. ~Pray for Bill our dear friend & his wife Rose for restored health. ~Pray for Dotty & her husband Stan for good health. ~Pray for us for strength and wisdom in all we do, that we remain cancer free and healthy to do Gods work, for our cars to be mechanically sound. You are an Extended Hand and a vital part of this ministry. Together we are making a difference with Jesus Christ, taking life to a dark place! We go because you send us. Thank You so much!

Why keep an older facility like this open? Is there a geographic reason that caused this semi-secret decision? Please understand that Im for closing SCIs in favor of alternative programs. However, lets be sure we are performing the most cost effective closing(s). So I plead that legislators get fully involved and ask to see that the numbers that the governor and Secretary of Corrections are looking at are the same! Thank you Graterfriends and may more people get involved. Remember, closing prisons is good, but it should be cost effective.
Here is what I found: The Greensburg and Cresson state prisons, with about 2,400 inmates combined, will be closed in the next six months. Many of the inmates will move to the newly built Benner state prison, a 2,000bed facility near State College that was once envisioned as a place to help house the rapidly growing prison population. But the state's prison population essentially flattened in the last three years, and the Corbett administration has put the brakes on a prison expansion that began in the final years under former governor.

Pastor Toms Preaching Corner


WHEN LIFE DISAPPOINTS YOU

Psalm 34:18-19 NKJV The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. The Bible tells us that God hears the prayers of those that love Him and delivers them out of all their troubles. There seems to be cycles of blessings and cycles of testings that we all have to go through. If youre experiencing disappointment today, remember that God is near to those who are disappointed. Matthew 5:4 says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Anytime youre going through a cycle of disappointment in your life, you need the support of others. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to Better flight. Or Every believer has the spiritual strength to send a thousand enemies Bitter Which running. When you come into agreement with another person your spiritual will it be? strength is multiplied by ten. Theres a principle in the Kingdom of God that says, Where any two agree as touching anything it shall be done for them. Gods Word tells us that there is supernatural strength for people who are in agreement. God created the church in such a way that we are to be a family. When were going through a disappointment, thats when we need each other the most. We all have issues in our lives, and we cannot overcome them by ourselves. To recover from disappointment, you have to let go of any bitterness. Decide whether you are going to be bitter or if you are going to get better. Bitterness will steal your joy and happiness. Hebrews 12:15 says, Watch out that no bitterness takes root inside you. It causes deep trouble and hurts many. Its dangerous to let bitterness come into your heart. If you let bitterness stay long enough, it will harden your heart. If you want to overcome bitterness in your life, put on a heart of thanksgiving. Be thankful for what you have. Be thankful that God loves you and you have a future. Be thankful that Hes still with you. Anytime you have disappointments in your life, remember what matters is Dont forget: what you do for the Kingdom of God. God created the Dont build your life on things, build your life on Him. Things can be church in such a taken from you. Your relationship with the Lord can never be taken from way that we are you. to be a family. God says, If you draw nigh unto Me, Ill draw nigh unto you. God wants Families stick you to get your strength from Him. together no Its when we have great disappointments that we need His power. If you matter what! want His power you have to admit that you cant make it by yourself. I know I cant.

Jeremiah Prison Ministry


Revs. Tom & Monica Cohee 223 Cameo Dr. 717-352-0080 Fax: 717-352-0392 info@jeremiahprisonministry.com Were on the Web! www.jeremiahprisonministry.com Your Editor: Rev. Monica Cohee

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