Prison Outreach Ministry in Western PA

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Prison Outreach Ministry in Western PA
Program updated by Dorie Heckman 2/16/09
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Who are we?

• Western PA Conference ministry with a Conference
  Missionary
• Supported by Conference, UMW, local churches and
  individuals
• Provide interactive Bible studies in the Federal,
  State and County prisons in Western PA
• Provide support for children and youth in
  Detention Centers and Shelters

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Our Mission Statement

• Our mission is to empower inmates to grow in
  discipleship through an interactive Bible study,
  and to provide the opportunity to build healthy
  relationships through Gods Word as they prepare
  to re-enter society.

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Our Missionary - Director
Randy Datskocommissioned April 27, 2004Western
PA Conference Missionary
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How did we get where we are today?

• Johnstown Prison Outreach Ministry - 1999
• Expansion into other Districts 2001
• Support of the Bishop and District
  Superintendents
• Encouragement from volunteers, inmates, pastors
  and chaplains
• Support of many local churches and individuals

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• to the pastor with the vision and
  determination to make this ministry become a
  reality in the Western PA Conference.
• Thank You Stan!!
• Rev. Stan Nixon

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Our Board Members
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Our Special Thanks

• ..to all the churches and individuals in Western
  PA who are sharing in the Vision of this
  ministry through their financial and prayer
  support and the many volunteers committed to
  acting out Gods love in the prisons.

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What do the inmates say?
Tony I just want to thank you for the Disciple
books and Bibles. I took the class last year and
it was a wonderful experience. God really knew I
needed that class and through it I have grown
spiritually. I now teach the class in Spanish
through the help of the Holy Spirit. I never
thought I would be doing that, but God had other
plans! Our group of brothers here in the prison
are very happy with the class. We enjoy studying
and applying the Word in our lives. Thank you
and God bless you always!
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and another
Albert Thank you so much for the donated books,
Bibles, and especially your time. We thank God
every day for you and the time you spend helping
us to mature in Christ. We also thank you for
the prayers for us and our families and we want
you to know you are in our prayers too.
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Thoughts from the Volunteers
How exciting it was to see a man who had been
through one of our classes working at a new job,
reunited with his family, and a part of a local
church in his community. We have heard about
some of the great things the men have become
involved in after spending some of their time in
prison in our Bible studies, but it was really
neat to actually talk to someone who had grown so
much! Randy
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How can we help?

• Volunteers to enter the prisons to assist with
  new classes
• Financial support for our Missionary
• Monthly pledge support to the ministry
• Collect backpacks, etc. for the children and
  youth in shelters and detention centers, and
  women in shelters
• Commitment to PRAY for those inside the walls
  inmates, officers, volunteers

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Would you like to adopt an inmate?

• For 30.00 you can provide a Disciple
  study book so an inmate can attend a Disciple
  class for a full year.
• For 50.00 you can provide a study book
  and a Study Bible. Would you like to covenant
  to pray for an inmate and have him / her
  pray for you by first name only for 1 year?
• Become a Prayer Partner today!

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Children and Youth Need Luggage and More!

•   Your church can participate by
  collecting duffle bags, puzzle
  books, Prayer Bears and
  toiletries for those leaving Detention Centers
  and Shelters to go to a new safe
  home.
• Imagine yourself going to a new home where
• you hope you will be accepted and loved
• and walking in the door
• with everything you own
• in a black garbage bag.
• Would YOU like to be part of this
• gift to these children??

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Churches Who Have Supplied Suitcases
Mt. Zion UMC DuBois - I Youngsville First UMC
KEvans Memorial UMC KRussell UMC
KBethany UMC Latrobe GKane District UMW
KStar Junction Charge CZion Sarver UMC
BNoblestown UMC WLander UMC KHeritage UMC
Ligonier G Calvary UMC Johnstown JPoint
Marion UMC CArmagh UMC JTrinity UMC
Ridgeway KFallowfield UMC FCrafton UMC
PWalnut Hill UMC CFirst UMC Derry
GButler District UMW - B
First UMC Coalport JEldred YMC KDuke
Center UMC KGrace UMC Grove City - FFirst
UMC Bethel Park PEvangelical UMC
Youngsville KMurrysville UMC GWest
Washington UMC WBradenville UMC GMary Ann
Palko LorettoJefferson Ave. UMC WFirst UCC
of EbensburgMt. Morris UMC WTanoma UMC
IBeulah UMC Johnstown JFirst UMC DuBois
IMapletown UMC WCommunity Ministries
CMontour Presb. Church Pgh.
Christ UMC-Bethel Park PElderton Charge UMC
IEldersville UMC WLanes Mills UMC IThe
Refuge EMKane 1st UMC KEldred UMC
KRoaring Springs Church of God ABelmont UMC
JGood Shepherd UMC KRochester UMW BNew
Paris UMC JHill Memorial UMC - K Want to
put YOUR church here? Call US!!
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We are a Conference Advance Special
W PA Annual Conference Advance SpecialPrison
Outreach Ministry We are an official ministry of
the Western PA Conference. Your church can
contribute to this ministry and receive credit.
Our is CC003300-J
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• So How can I get involved?
• What background or training do I need?
• How can my church learn more?
• Where are these prisons?
• Is there one near me?Call us for
  answers814-225-3381

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Western PA Prisons
We are present in theunderlined prisons
Federal Prisons Camps McKean ,
Loretto ??State Prisons Somerset,
Cresson, Pine Grove, Greene,
Laurel Highlands, Forest, Houtzdale,
Greensburg, Albion, Waynesburg, Mercer
? ? County Prisons (all counties) ?
??Womens Prisons Cambria County,
Cambridge Springs ?Youth Facilities
Cambria County, Erie, Westmoreland
County, Pittsburgh, Grove City,
Beaver County, Blair County


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Missionary Schedule all invitations are
welcome!! Contact us!Schedule for 2009 Visits!!

• 1/18/09 St. Luke Lutheran - Lilly
• 2/1/09 Ebensburg UCC
  
• 3/1/09 Trinity UMC - Johnstown
• 3/15/09 Ebensburg Ministerium Lenten Service
• 3/17/09 Rochester First UMC
• 3/21/09 VIM Leader Training Conference
  Center
• 3/26/09 Iceland
• 3/31/09 Lanes Mills UMC
• 4/5/09 Ebensburg UCC
• 4/17-5-3 Randys vacation
• 4/26/09 Zion Sarver UMC Mission Festival
• 6/11-13/09 Annual Conference at Grove City
• 6/21/08 McMasters UMC Turtle Creek

What date do you want to hear about this
ministry?
The schedule is open between these datesand
beyond the last date at this time. Please call!
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Contact us
Prison Outreach Ministry P.O. Box 322
Eldred, PA 16731-0322 Phone [phone] or
814-225-3381 e-mail dh30_at_verizon.net Web site
http/www.gbgm-umc.org/wpapom/
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Our Vision
1. To provide interactive prison ministry in 18
classes in at least 5 Districts in Western PA in
the fall of 2008. 2. To help come against the
detrimental forces that the men, women and youth
in prison have to deal with, and to help them
grow spiritually and socially. 3. To continue
working on designing shorter term programs for
the County, State and Youth prisons. 4. To gain
access to even more facilities for Women,
Juveniles and Hispanics in Western PA. 5. To
involve trained laity, pastors and inmates as
Volunteers Leaders in the prisons.

Continued...
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continues

• 6. To address the literacy and language issues
  in choice of Bibles and study materials.
• 7. To involve the Districts, local churches, and
  individuals in prayer, financial support, and in
  providing volunteers toenter the prisons on a
  weekly basis who will study and pray together
  with the inmates.
• 8. To continue to assist in providing
  relational after-care and clothing and
  information about churches for inmates preparing
  for release.
• To train inmates in leadership skills to lead
  Bible studiesin their prisons.
• To collect luggage, games, clothing, stuffed
  animals andtoiletries for women and children in
  shelters and prisons.

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In Special Memory

• Ron PlattFirst Chair of thePrison Ministry
  Board
• died October 13, 2005
• Ron was committed to this ministry and one of
  our most enthusiastic supporters.