Forgotten Man Ministries The Ottawa County Jail Bible Pod Report Year to Date for 2014 Hello friends of the Bible Pod, In addition to our continuous curriculum, we have taken advantage of multiple and varied opportunities to explore processes for conflict resolution. Everything that is learned during our regular curricula is oriented as a priority toward the applications within each member’s life. It has recently become more frequent for many of life’s struggles on the outside of jail to be experienced within our sheltered cocoon. Although most of the men are gathered together for similar purposes, some of those same men sometimes become the stumbling blocks for others’ spiritual growth. We have been taking periodic pauses from the scheduled curriculum to productively address the issues that lead to difficult circumstances. Overcoming these areas now teaches us how to best address similar issues later, often with spouses, parents, children and/or strangers. We truly believe that “our struggles are not against flesh and blood” (Eph 6:12). We study the Biblical concepts of the fallen world, our weakness in our flesh, the nature of spiritual warfare and the importance of the armor of God. So, we strive to gain awareness of things occurring around us, just as during the beautiful events that the shepherds heard and saw for which they glorified and praised God for (Luke 2:1-20). Our eyes are fully opened by the illustrations of these facts that the Apostle John provides us with in Revelations 12:1-17. This makes it easier to comprehend why our struggles with our sins and shortfalls are so common and so difficult to overcome (Romans 7:14-25). Our choices have consequences that affect many others. So, we focus on the solution, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and not on our many problems. We work to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) by reducing the power and effects of our sinful nature (flesh) and increasing our walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-24). We are putting-off the old ways of our former lives and are being transformed by the renewing of our minds as we put-on new ways, which are proven and God honoring (Eph 4:22-24). As a result, men are visibly becoming less and less angry, hurt, unforgiving, selfish, and impure. These men now demonstrate God’s love for them to their families by being more and more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, gentle and self-controlled. They are receiving a significant amount of experience in this process so that the transition home will be easier and more successful. It is always very exciting and encouraging to see God working in and through all of our volunteers, staff and supporters. We continue to be extremely busy in our service to our Lord, inside and outside of the Bible Pod. FMM Christians are working inside the jail six days each week with the support and assistance of the jail staff. We are very grateful for all of your prayers and support that keeps His ministry in our community strong! ~In His Service, along side of you, Chaplain Matt Col 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...” FMM’s Fruit from within the Ottawa County Jail The accumulated numbers as of June 1st in Ottawa County by the Forgotten Man Ministries’ volunteers, under the direction of Chaplain Larry Norman: Bible Issues: 305 Intro Bible Courses Issued: 191 Bible Courses Issued: 416 Bible Lessons Graded: 3,176 Bible Courses Completed: 304 Professions of Faith: 61 Bible Pod Classes: 210 Bible Pod Classroom Hours: 525 Bible Pod’s Total Students: 39 Bible Pod Graduates: 9 Bible Study Classes (entire jail): 21 Worship Services (entire jail): 21 Library Carts: 199 Individual Counseling Periods: 112 Drug/Alcohol Classes: 40 Faith Based ProgramsAttendance: 3,233 We truly thank you for your continuous prayers and generous support! Please send your questions and / or comments to: Forgotten Man Ministries Chaplain Larry Norman [email protected] Chaplain Matt Hansen [email protected] Ottawa County Jail 12130 Fillmore West Olive, MI 49460 616-786-4183 www.forgottenman.org