Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness

Prison Ministry Education Opportunity

2009-11-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

SCHOOL FOR CORRECTIONAL MINISTRIES

Announces

Residential course in Texas!

Introduction to Correctional Ministry

3 units (January 4 through January 8, 2010)

This course will provide an overview of ministry to offenders and their families

and the Biblically-based role of the Church in that effort. In addition, the

course will examine the basic structure and functions of the criminal justice

system and the cultural distinctives that govern it. The primary focus will be

on the multiple ministry opportunities present in each of the various phases

of the criminal justice system—presentencing, long-term incarceration, and

reentry.

Who should attend?
Anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and

skills of working with offenders and exoffenders--Chaplains, volunteers,

pastors, those working in reentry.

Topics:
Cognitive Renewal, Biblical View of Correctional Ministry, Evangelism,

Evidenced-based Practices, Reentry Issues

Date & Location: January 4-8, 2010, Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX

How to enroll:
visit www.bgcprisonministries.com for enrollment information.

Registration deadline: December 1, 2009

Cost: $1230 $925 (IPM Discount) tuition; Room & board extra

Partial scholarships are available

For more information:

www.bgcprisonministries.com

Institute for Prison Ministries

500 College Ave.

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: 630-752-5727

E-mail: ipm@wheaton.edu

Getting a Fresh Start

2009-10-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

On our recent trip to Louisiana, we had the privilege to sit down and speak with a group of men who are providing a new life to dozens of men everyday through a Ministry called Fresh Start.

Fresh Start Outreach Ministries, Inc. was founded in 2001 with a vision to reach those people hurting from drug and alcohol addiction and give them a “Fresh Start” on a new life. We are called to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them which are bound.

Fresh Start's Mission is to not only treat the addict for his addiction, but to radically change each individual from within. Fresh Start believes the only true way to see change in someone's life is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"If you wanna get free you need to have discipleship" Clay Russel, Director.

We had a chance to sit down with Clay Russell, Director of Fresh Start, and he told us that on average about 70-75 students are being helped at any given time. Fresh Start operates in a 48 bed, multi-wing facility in Winnsboro, LA. They are licensed to host over 90 students at once and are staffed to do so. This facility was donated to Fresh Start at the end 2005, and in December of 2006, they opened their doors to 15 men waiting for their own Fresh Start

The 7 month program begins with all students completing a rigorous 30 days of in house training and counseling. Here they will establish and fortify their relationship with God through private and public reflection, prayer, chapel services, daily devotions and lessons, and several other social activities. Phase 1 is complete once the student has passed each of their weekly tests, and a final exam as their 30 days comes to an end.

Phase 2 encompasses months 2, 3 and 4. In this phase students go through a period of work therapy. Fresh Start owns and operates several businesses which serve the community of Winnsboro and the surrounding areas. Each student is employed at one of these businesses for a term of 90 days all while continuing their spiritual counseling and rehabilitation through chapel services, and classes like Overc omers- A Daily Choice.

During the third and final Phase (months 5, 6 & 7) Fresh Start helps each student find a job with a local outside employer. Students are able to deposit money into an individual account set up and monitored by Fresh Start. In this phase, GED classes are offered as well as vocational training to those students who did not graduate high-school. All students are also expected to now pay program fees of up to a third or their income not to exceed $500.

Upon completion of the 7-month program, students will receive a Fresh Start Certificate and the money saved will be released to the student to assist with such things as rent, deposits, and utilities.

Almost 90 percent of the residents come voluntarily and upwards of 70 percent of the students get clean and stay clean. Whats more is that a majority of the graduates who have stayed clear of addiction still have close relationships with the staff of Fresh Start. Some even apply for and begin work within Fresh Start's Intern program in order to give back to the program that gave them back their life!

During the entire 7 month program students are encouraged to start down the long road towards earning back the trust from their friends and family. Most of the men of Fresh Start come to the program with nothing and no one to help them through the pain and control of addiction. Through classes and group counseling each student is provided with several sanctioned opportuities to reach out and begin to regain the relationships lost to their addictions.

"Family Reconciliation is a big deal" -Clay Russell.

Many of the families are also contacted and served through the outreach of River of Life Church, in Winnsboro. Several of the students attend River of Life on a regular basis.

If you would like more info on how you can get involved in this ministry, or if you or someone you know are in need of their services, Please Click Here

Additionally you can email our offices(info@wviw.com) for more info on Fresh Start, Overcomers, and WVIW.

Overcomers Training

2009-10-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

BE READY TO START YOUR OVERCOMER GROUPS IN 2010

ENGLISH TRAINING:

Date: Nov.. 6 and 7 (Nov. 6 from 6:30-10 pm; Saturday 8 am-12:30)
Place: Evangel Family Outreach church in Diamond Hill area of
Ft. Worth. 3401 N. Harding St., Ft. Worth 76106
Registration deadline: Oct. 31 call Margaret Lee 817-937-4446
Cost: $40 (cash or money order only)
Additional information: You must complete both days of training.
Training with Standing on the Rock Ministries allows you
FREE refresher courses with us, plus many more perks.

SPANISH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

Date: Nov. 14 during your monthly District Nazarene meeting.
If you are a Nazarene Pastor contact Pastor Eugenio Chavez
for price information and time.
• If you are not affiliated with the Nazarene church but are interested in being trained in Spanish please contact our Spanish Directors at 817-938-7969
Thank you for your interest in Overcomers.

To learn more about Standing on the Rock Ministries
visit our website at sotrm.org

Donations can be made through Paypal on our website or by check to: SOTRM at P.O. Box 1094, Hurst, Tx. 76053.

Harvesting For the Lord,
Margaret Lee or Michael Lee
817-937-4446 817-937-5115

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like...

2009-10-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine with me if you will how a dinner party with Jesus must have been. What would He do? Where would He sit? How would He talk to the other guests? Such was the scene in the 14th chapter of Luke. The Bible says that all eyes were on Him as the dinner progressed.

Discussion sprang up about a variety of theological topics before Jesus quite literally turned the tables and began to teach. The Matthew account of this parable starts off, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a ... Banquet".

This moment in Jesus' ministry gives us insight into God's abundant life for us. Listen in now and discover the wonderful feast He has prepared for you.

Please consider making a donation to Travis and Gina. For all donations over $10 we will mail you a copy of this fantastic message. Click Here to contribute ONLINE DONATION

Travis and Gina Moffitt

2009-10-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Travis and Gina Moffitt met in 1992 while they were both attending Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. While at CFNI they were involved in youth ministry, college campus outreaches, and several mission trips.

They spent the next several years in the corporate world in the Tampa, FL area before becoming involved in the international missions program of a local church. They eventually served as the Directors of International Missions and Outreach for Morningstar Church in Tampa. In this role they completed 7 trips to Cusuna, Honduras and lead 3 outreach trips to Slidell, LA immediately following hurricane Katrina.

In 2008 Travis and Gina relocated back to Dallas to assume the role of Associate Director of Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness.

Travis and Gina bring a fresh approach and experienced background to WVIW. Travis, a veteran communicator, delivers the Word of God in an inviting and practical way that is relevant to all audiences. Travis and Gina are helping WVIW seek new ways to reach out to those in need.

Travis and Gina have been married since 1994 and have a newborn son named Noah.

Thank you for your interest in WVIW. We are excited for the great work that God has given to us.
We are mindful of the doors He has opened and for the new places He will take us. Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated and meaningful to us.
Please feel free to contact us if we may help you in any way.
-Travis and Gina Moffitt

You can find out more about Travis and Gina, and the work that is done through

Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness on Our Facebook Page or by Visiting our Website

Texas continues as World’s Leader in Incarceration

2009-10-05T16:49:00.001-07:00

The new World Prison Population List (pdf) is out from Kings College (London) and the United States once again tops the planet in the percentage of its citizenry incarcerated:

The United States has the highest prison population rate in the world, 756 per 100,000 of the national population, followed by Russia (629), Rwanda (604), St Kitts & Nevis (588), Cuba (c.531), U.S. Virgin Is. (512), British Virgin Is. (488), Palau (478), Belarus (468), Belize (455), Bahamas (422), Georgia (415), American Samoa (410), Grenada (408) and Anguilla (401).
Almost three fifths of countries (59%) have rates below 150 per 100,000.
The world population in 2008 is estimated at 6,750 million (United Nations); set against a world prison population of 9.8 million this produces a world prison population rate of 145 per 100,000 (158 per 100,000 if set against a world prison population of 10.65 million).

Of course, even though Texas' incarceration rate has been recently declining, our rate still tops the US national rate by a wide margin, which makes Texas arguably the global incarceration leader. At last count, Texas prisons incarcerated more than 1,000 prisoners per every 100,000 residents. About one out of every 22 adult Texans is in prison, in jail, on probation or on parole compared to one out of 31 nationally.

Reprinted from GRITS for Breakfast

Terror By Night

2009-10-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

"Daughter Murders Family, Surviving Father Offers Forgiveness and Grace"

Last week at COPE we heard the true, gut wrenching story of a brutally murdered family and the father who exchanged Terror for Grace.

Terry Caffey shared his story last week, to a room of prison ministers and Texas State Chaplains though raw emotion with a delivery only a father could muster.

Terry spoke courageously as he remembered how his entire family was taken from him in an instance. He told of how his own daughter and her boyfriend planned and carried out a vicious plot to enter their house and murder the entire family. All of this came in response to Terry forbidding his daughter to date this boyfriend

"Typical teenage behavior might have included pouting, a bad attitude or perhaps a yelling match. Never in a million years would Terry Caffey have suspected it would involve murder."

Through his very emotional telling of that nights events in march of 2008, he spoke of how his 16 year old daughter's former boyfriend came in the house, shot him, his wife, and their 2 sons. He recalled being left for dead in his own house and dragging himself out of his home before it was burned to the ground. He was shot several times but managed to crawl 400 yards from his death. He asked God to keep him stay alive long enough to find out the identity of the killer. He did stay alive only to find out that his wife and two sons were gone and that his daughter Erin was being charged with 3 counts of capital murder.

It is impossible to understand the emotions and reaction that would have flooded Terry in the moments after finding out the full Terror of that night. He describes wondering why and how God could have taken his family in this way.

Six weeks later he visited what remained of his house and ultimately his life. He struggled with why God had allowed him to experience this and how he would live again. As he stood in the ashes and rubble that was once his home, his glance came across something that had not been consumed in the fire. There laying in the ashes was a single page from a book his wife had owned, through his tears Terry read :

"I couldn't understand why You would take my family and leave me to struggle along without them. And i guess I still don't totally understand that part of it. But I do believe that You're sovereign; You're in control."

In that moment Terry felt his joy in Christ return.

Terry has told his story many times over the past year and a half and has had many opportunities to live out his belief that "God is Sovereign."

He also was given the opportunity to meet the author of the book from which that life altering page was preserved, James Pence.

Terry continues to visit his daughter who is in prison, and firmly believes she was not the mastermind behind the deaths of her family.

This powerful story of faith and grace is retold in the book, "Terror By Night" written by both Terry Caffey and James Pence.

Booking the Author is available by contacting Carlton Willis Communications, at KWCcomm@rgv.rr.com

Please visit our website www.wviw.com

COPE Celebrates 25 Years Of Excellence

2009-09-28T11:41:00.001-07:00

COPE is an international network of ministries providing fellowship, promoting excellence, sharing resources and encouraging unity among those called to criminal justice/restorative justice/prison ministry.

Last week WVIW had the privilege and honor to be among some of the finest prison ministries from around the world. COPE -Coalition Of Prison Evangelists, met last week in Dallas, Tx to Celebrate 25 Years of Ministry. Dallas served also as the location for COPE's annual International Conference.

The conference was September 22-25. There were ministries from all over the world here in Dallas, to represent their area of ministry and to connect with other like minded individuals .

COPE has become a place of fellowship & encouragement and serves to equip those called to prison ministry. COPE was designed out of necessity and has thrived because of its invaluable members.

4 of those members were honored in an awards ceremony on Friday, during the COPE Celebration Banquet.

The director of Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness, Johnny Moffitt, received the Inaugural 2009 Frank Costantino Award for Prison Ministry Excellence. This award was presented by Cheryl and Bobby Greenwood. Frank Costantino, now passed away, was one of the founders of COPE 25 years ago and was Cheryl's husband. Together Frank and Johnny pioneered COPE and worked many hard years to make COPE such a well established ministry.

Johnny Moffitt has been serving God through Prison Ministry for over 31 years. In addition to being one of COPE's founders, he has also served COPE as President, Vice President and currently serves as Treasurer. Johnny has ministered in countless prisons both on domestic and on foreign soil. He and his wife Betty formed Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness as a multi-faceted ministry reaching deep into Prisons all over Texas, the US and the World.

Johnny Moffitt through Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness, has both served and been served by COPE. Many doors into the worlds prisons have been opened due to this longtime relationship.

Another inaugural award handed out for the night was to Bobby and Bunny Greenwood. They received the first ever President's Award for their impact on COPE over the years. Bobby and Bunny have given tirelessly to ministries like WVIW, Bill Glass, and COPE to continue God's work everywhere they go. Bunny's life's story is told in the book "Lady In the Shadows", and is a must read for anyone involved in the prison ministry. Bobby and Bunny travel all over the world ministering any chance they get, and are a great source for encouragemnet and motivation for anyone who has met them .

John Sullivan became the 2009 recipient of the Chaplain Ray Hoekstra Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in prisons both in the states and internationally. John has ministered in over 300 prisons and more 40 US states. He is the International Crusade Director and serves on the Board of Directors for COPE. John has had about 20, 000 copies of his Book, "Dealing With Fear", have been ditributed in prisons across the United States. John understands prison ministry from personal experience. First arrested at age 11 and branded an incorrigible criminal by 16, John, at 33 years old, was a hopeless alcoholic and had been arrested more than 30 times. In 1977, John asked Jesus into his heart and the change was drastic. The change in John has become proof of God's calling on his life and COPE is now a better ministry because of him.

Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness is thankful for all that has been gained through COPE. This conference strongly reinforces why COPE was founded 25 years ago. It is safe to say, WVIW will likely serve COPE as a lifetime member and supporter.

For More Information on COPE please visit http://www.copeconnections.org
To receive regular info from WVIW please find us on facebook, or join our Mailing List on our Website http://www.wviw.com

Equipping Ministries Around The World

2009-09-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 22nd marked the First Day of the COPE-Coalition Of Prison Evangelists, Annual Conference and also commemorates the 25th year of COPE's Existence.

COPE is an International Network of Criminal Justice Ministries, Prison Ministries, & Restorative Justice Ministries linked together to serve one another. The mission of COPE is to provide fellowship, promote excellence, share resources and encourage unity among those called to Criminal Justice Ministry.

Opening night at the general session we heard from Tony Loeffler, Ruth Sherry-Creighton, and Johnny Moffitt.

Tony Loeffler, who also played at our Ministry Banquet, offered a great musical set from his gutsy blues sound and really did an amazing job.

Ruth shared her amazing story of how she though the help of COPE and others has not only seen her ministry be maintained but flourish in the wake of her husbands passing.

Johnny Moffitt has been an integral part of COPE's 25 year journey. He spoke on "Who God Uses", in an encouraging message to all members at last nights opening. He spoke of his own struggles and triumphs through his 31 years of ministry and encouraged all of COPE to hold on to the promises of God, and to tell others when God speaks so that they will be able to follow as well. Johnny also told everyone to "pray. Pray because you can't hear from God unless you talk to God".

It is a great thing when God pulls together his army of ministers to meet, rest and pray together. Big things are happening in COPE and it is a ministry of Ministers and for Ministers. COPE is a place of refuge and of refueling. COPE represents Christ to other like minded ministries in a way that edifies and encourages without fear of competitiveness creeping in.

For more info on COPE and How you can become involved please visit the Official Website or their Ministry BLOG. You can also find COPE on Facebook.

Overcomers is in Jamaica, Trinidad, and Africa

2009-09-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Johnny & Ms. Betty,

I'm so excited about your 31st anniversary of serving the Lord. I just wanted to give you an update on the progress of the Overcomer s workbook. Due to years of the tireless efforts of you, Ms. Betty, Pastors Charles & Sharon, Pastors Sandy & Paul Ward the workbook has gone to

Zimbabwe (Tom-Bonnie Ducshel) Harambee, Kenya Kwang’amor, Kenya

Kingston, Jamaica (The murder capitol of the world) This church is located in the "KILL ZONE" the gangs will kill you and throw you in the church parking lot. This entire church is working the workbook w/ all the training & teaching DVD’s of Pastors Charles & Sharon

Trinidad, West Indies-Bishop Joshu Hussein (200 pastors Overcomer work shop all want the program)

Spanish Town, Jamaica Bishop & Mother Eason will be attending your banquet w/ us.

Kakamega, Kenya

This is a word from the Lord, CONCERT COMBINED EFFORTS! We placed our hands in Pastors Charles & Sharon who placed their hands in yours & Ms. Betty's hands. Then God placed all our hands in the safety of Pastors Sandy & Paul Ward's hands who took the Daily Choice Workbook to the different countries. This is the combined efforts of all these ministers.

The dictionary states: “ONE CAN NOT CONCERT BY ONE'S SELF"

A heartfelt "THANK YOU" for allowing Doug & I to be a part of WVIW.

Doug & Elaine Lenamond

Still Thankful Ministries/ Overcomers

Johnny Moffitt will Be Preaching…

2009-09-02T11:44:00.001-07:00

Johnny Moffitt

Will Be Speaking

September 6^th

Church of the Called Out Ones

9108 Lake June

Dallas, TX 75217

September 13^th

City Gate Church

3259 North Beach Street,

Fort Worth, TX 76111

September 20^th

ELIM Church

3200 S. Richey

Houston, TX 77017

For More Information please Contact us Via Email info@wviw.com or by phone 972.234.6009

WVIW Celebration Banquet - Reserve Your Seats Now

2009-08-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

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Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness

It is almost Celebration Banquet time. September 18 will be here before we know it. I hope and pray you are making plans to be with us. Information can be found on www.wviw.com. There is limited seating, so order your tickets soon. We have included a Box in this Email titled "Buy Tickets" that will take you directly to buy your tickets online.

We realize that many of you are not able to attend for a variety of reasons. But there are many wives of prisoners Also, we want to invite several state prison officials to be our guests. Each year we ask our partners to help sponsor these people.

Please consider sponsoring one or more wives or prison officials at $50.00 each. Perhaps you could sponsor a table of eight for $400.00. We would like to bless these ladies and say "Thank you" to these officials. Please help us do that.

Thank you for all you can do, and may God return it to you 100 fold.

Your Servant,

Johnny

Johnny Moffitt, D.Min.

Director

This year, our 31st Anniversary Celebration will be

Friday night,

September 18, 2009

At 7:00 p.m.

(Registration and Ministry Expo start at 6:00 p.m.)

The banquet will be at the Marriott Quorum Hotel in Dallas/Addison, Texas. The hotel is located at 14901 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254.

Betty and I need your help!

We have arranged for reduced room rates at the Marriott Quorum if you wish to stay over Friday night.

Please mention Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness when you call the hotel at 972-661-2800.

There is limited seating, so please order your tickets as soon as possible to help us in our planning. Again, thank you for your help, and we look forward to sharing this special evening at our 31st Anniversary Celebration of Restoration, "CHANGED", with you and your friends.

FREE Book	Be one of the first 10 to respond by purchasing your Banquet Tickets online and you will receive a FREEcopy of Monty Lewis' Book, "The Caper".
Offer Expires: September 1st Use the Link Above to Buy Tickets TODAY!

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Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness | PO Box 740273 | Dallas | TX | 75374

God will meet you right where you are

2009-08-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

The first day of our Marriage Seminar is always the best example of how God uses everything in our lives to meet us right where we are.

Each and every single person is so different and has such a separate set of issues and challenges and yet there is an almost instant bond that occurs when the volunteers and inmate wives first meet. The second that everyone sits down and shares a meal together something happens to spark a connection that is hard to explain and impossible to manufacture. Today 37 individuals ate lunch as strangers, but will leave this weekend as friends.

Thanks to the wonderful ministry of Bethel Temple in Bryan/College Station, our volunteers and Wives had a great meal together to began this weekends journey. The church not only supplied a great space to host our first meeting today they also had beautiful place settings made for us and served each of our volunteers and wives with great enthusiasm and grace.

From there we made our way into the prison and through security and into the room where the remainder of this weekend's seminar will unfold. Friday Night is typically a flood of emotions for every single person in the room. The room quickly fills with tears of joy, laughter and smiles as each of the husbands are led to there anxiously awaiting wives. Each of the couples is allowed to greet their spouse with a hug and kiss and sit next to their wives, many for the first time since having been locked up. Each couple is used to having very limited contact, if any, with each other, and are not accustomed to sitting side by side at all.

"Ok, Fellas, Take a long good look at that pretty lady sitting next to you.....ok look back at me.....you owe me big time". Johnny Moffitt, as he introduced the team

In all seriousness, the aim of this night is to let each couple savor these moments and to allow everyone to take in the reality that this weekend will represent as many hours of time together as half a year or more in regular visitation.

As the evening progressed everyone was again able to share a meal together and sit and just talk. This is a very important time and is not rushed in any way. Every inmate is thrilled to be able to enjoy "free world" even if for only one weekend.

Someone even said; "It has been a long time since I have been full. It feels weird."

We continued with a time of worship and a time for the volunteers and Johnny and Betty to begin to share why Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness hosts, and attends these seminars.

Javie r Mendoza gave a powerful testimony of how his family has broken the bondage of prison in their lives. He shared how each of the men and women have a God given responsibility and privilege to live a life of abundance and not of captivity. He also shared how his father, turned away from prison life to become the best example of a father, and a husband any one could ask for. Javier is able to share this story as a true life testimony of victory over statistics which say he is several times more likely be in prison because his father has been incarcerated. Through God's ever present grace, Javier can now stand as an example of God's glory and challenge these men to do the same in their lives.

Johnny shared from his heart and spoke straight to the hearts of the men and women. God used this special message to remind the men that HE has and always will meet us right where we are at if we will only let him. So many times we will "shift the heat" to someone else if it means saving our own skin when all God wants is for us to confess we are guilty and to accept his forgiveness. Johnny tells it like it is and always offers a refreshing dose of reality because of his genuine desire to see lives Changed.

It is safe to say, the first day in a Marriage Seminar is always fresh and never dull.

You can always count on God showing up!
For more information on our ministry and to donate towards these powerful Marriage Seminars, please Visit our Website

To leave a comment please CLICK HERE

Inside the Walls, Inside the Heart

2009-08-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

We are in Bryan/College Station this morning preparing for our third Marriage Seminar this year. We are very blessed to have such an amazing team. We have 10 Volunteer couples that have given of their time, their resources, and of their hearts. We are prepared to share ourselves with 17 other couples and along the way become friends for the sake of Love.

We all need love. We need to feel love and we need to give love. Our Marriage Seminars are all about giving and receiving Love!

Betty Moffitt, WVIW Director, says: "Above all else we are here to love these couples for 3 whole days....that's it!"

This weekend is already off to a great start and we are having a blast.

The volunteers met up last night for dinner and had a great time fellowship and prayer for this weekend. Every volunteer has great anticipation of this Seminar and great hopes for this opportunity to love. Some of our are volunteers have been to over 6 seminars in prison, and we have volunteers that are here for the very first time. Each of these volunteers is now in a situation that only a few people in the world have ever been. It is a unique and blessed opportunity to be a part of a group of people from very different backgrounds and very different situations all for God's cause. God is love, and we want God to use us in the way He sees fit. We are here to be a blessing and to be blessed as well

Please continue to pray for our efforts here in this prison and please pray and believe for God's love to be evident to each volunteer and every participant.

Thank you for being a blessing to the ministries of Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness.

Please check our website for even more information www.wviw.com

Marriage Seminar: Hamilton Unit

2009-08-05T13:40:00.001-07:00

We are preparing for another wonderful Marriage Seminar this Month. This Seminar will be held at the Hamilton Unit in Bryan, TX on August 21^st. Our office has received 17 confirmed couples to participate in the seminar and we have 10 Volunteer couples helping facilitate.

It is always a blessing to get to this point of the preparation. We have already began regular communication with our participating wives and have received several positive comments in anticipation of this great weekend.

WVIW is expecting a great weekend and to build many lasting friendships. Please pray for our Couples and for the Team here as we draw closer to the event.

If you would like to help support this ministry there are several ways you can do that:

Sponsor an Inmate Couple
- The cost is only $115 and will immensely bless the sponsored couple
Sponsor a Volunteer Couple
- It will cost each of the Volunteers $280 to attend
- There are still a couple of Volunteers that could use Your help

You can Make A Donation at our Website www.wviw.com

400 Inmates: Armed and Dangerous

2009-08-04T09:54:00.001-07:00

Tammy Schaefer and her team had the opportunity to minister at three services in Marlin and Gatesville, Tx this past weekend and had an amazing time with God and almost 400 inmates.

They served two separate Prisons; the Marlin Unit and the Hughes Unit. These are two of the larger prisons in the state and the need for Jesus was apparent.

" We had an awesome response, just Awesome. We witnessed several salvations and saw many lives touched." Tammy Schaefer, Leader of Prison Crusades

The services which included powerful praise and worship led by Denise Little and Terry Carhill were held Saturday and Sunday.

Sie Davis preached both days and gave Three Amazing sermons. One of his sermons titled, "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" talked about how we as believers, when "Armed" with the Word of God are to be considered dangerous to the enemies of this world.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10: 3-6

Thank you to the 11 volunteers who visted these units and obediently served to build the Kingdom from inside the Walls of the Prison yard.

For more information and to become a part of this Prison Ministry please visit www.wviw.com

To Make a Donation towards this Ministry please Click Here.

Overcomers is Not Just a Class. It is a Way of Life.

2009-08-03T13:14:00.001-07:00

Overcomers is not just a class. It is a way of Life.

One of the many ways Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness is involved in helping the city of Dallas fight crime directly is by offering Overcomers Recovery Support Class to Dallas Parole offices and local jails and prisons.

Overcomers' is a 12 step faith based program designed to help individuals with life controlling addictions to regain control. Overcomers is not just supposed to keep people sober it is meant to teach an individual how to LIVE.

WVIW offers classes throughout the City of Dallas and in over half of the State's Prisons and in several parole offices. The classes deal with individuals who are suffering from addictions ranging from anger, to drugs, to alcohol, and to many other life controlling substances and situations. The Overcomers' class guides individuals through twelve steps towards recovery and into a lifetime of freedom. It is our hope, through this foundation of Overcomers, to help men and women of Dallas find this freedom and change the statistics. We believe Texas parolees can become law abiding self sufficient leaders in our community, not just repeat offenders.

We are making a difference in Dallas.

In 2008 Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness, through the leadership of Sie Davis, handed out

over 1100 Overcomers Program completion certificates to men and women in Dallas and in several prison units around the state. We helped almost 300 men and women beat addiction every 90 days last year. This year WVIW is expected to far exceed this figure.

WVIW is blessed to have the leadership of Sie and his team; however, there is still a lot of ground to cover. There are currently 113 prisons in the state and there are over 150 men and women released back into our neighborhoods everyday, 5 days a week with over 500 a month moving into Dallas.

Every single one of these men and women deserve a chance for success.

Here is an excerpt from a letter we received showing that the word is out and

"Overcomers …Works"

To whom it may Concern:

The Mere Word Overcomers – well you already know the hope your program represents. A future, hope, life – and I want it. I have no access to your program in Dawson State Jail. I just got your information off a book a girl brought from county so I am reaching out to see if I may acquire a [Overcomers] workbook. Actually there are several girls in here all of us sharing a desire for recovery and would like to help each other with the work in the Overcomers workbook.

Thank You

(Dawson State Jail Inmate)

How you can help.

The first way to help is by meeting the practical need of the women who wrote in from the Dawson State Jail, asking for Overcomers workbooks which are only $16 each. You may also want to volunteer at Dawson or another unit to serve as a facilitator of Overcomers. Either way We know you will be blessed for doing so.

Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness is currently looking for individuals and churches to partner with who wish to change lives here in Dallas and across the State. WVIW operates Overcomers Facilitators Training Sessions throughout the State and we will even organize a Training Session for your church or organization if you so desire.

Please Contact our Offices at info@wviw.com or write to us at PO Box 740273 Dallas, TX 75374.

You can reach us by telephone Monday through Friday at 972.234.6009

You can also send us a message by Clicking Here

Follow us….

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Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness is available to connect through these websites

We would like to hear from you. Please Stay in Touch.

You can also contact us by Email at info@wviw.com

Close to Home

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The Huntsville Prison Unit releases 150 men from its walls everyday, 5 days a week. The doors swing open, they are given $50 of "gate" money and "We Just Turn 'em out and hope for the best."

These men have spent anywhere from 4years to 11 years, or even 20 years locked up, some of them have families waiting to pick them up, but most do not. The two things these men all have in common is prison, and the fact that according to statistics approximately three-fourths of these men being released EVERYDAY, WILL commit another crime and WILL be put back in prison.

Unless we do something to help them Change.

Steve Blow in the Dallas Morning News today reminds us that:

"The front end of the justice program we know well. Crime and arrest, trial, and sentencing – All that gets a lot of attention. But the back end occurs largely out of sight, though it's just as or more important in the fight against crime."

Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness deals with this large unseen portion of this criminal justice program. We are in the prisons, in the parole offices, on the streets all aimed at helping these men and women transition back in to society and become givers not takers.

We have seen and lived the statistics.

We are here to tell you, It is up to us all, as a community, as a city, and as a state to turn these numbers upside down. If we can reach these men and women who are moving back to our city and into our neighborhoods and commit to them our time and our resources we WILL make a difference and we WILL see the Change.

Fewer criminals = less crime.

This takes work and it takes money, and it takes a commitment of passionate people to step up and say "Yes, I want a safer neighborhood for my family".

Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness is committed to doing just that. We want to not only bring the gospel to the Prisons of the state we want the State Prison to release men and women who are not looking to commit another crime when released but who want to start a new life without a crime and without pain. We are looking to help these men and women Change not just for themselves, but for all of us.

These men and women are our future neighbors here in Dallas, please stand with WVIW and Together, Let's make a way for these men and women to have a chance at a better, safer and happier life.

Please Visit our Website for more info and to make an online donation towards a

Safer State and Safer Country.

Blow, S. (2009, July 27). Newly freed inmates face different walls on the outside. Retrieved July 27th, 2009, from DallasNews.com: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/sblow/stories/DN-blow_26met.ART0.Central.Edition1.4bb7b19.html

Q. Why a Transitional Home? A. It Works.

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It is for men like, Sie Davis, Edward Chambers, and Ronnie Towler that we have established a Transitional Home. Our Transitional Home's mission is to inspire and create change in the hearts of those just out of prison or on parole that are looking for a new way to live. We are seeing it do just that. With 10 Years out, 2.5 years out, and 6 months out, respectively, Sie, Ed, and Ronnie, will tell you why WVIW has a Transitional Home. "It Works!"

Our residents are given the opportunity to learn from men like Sie, Edward, and Ronnie. These men have been there, in the depths of despair, and in spite of their outward circumstances made the decision to live for God. WVIW is a conduit of God's mercy and love used to restore what the world tried to take from these men.

We are asking you to become a part of the Change by extending opportunities to not only invest in the lives of two or three men, but of a generation. We believe that our efforts have the ability and depth needed to make a measurable impact on the lives of men and their families for years to come.

Please Read the articles below or Go to Our Website to learn more about Ronnie, Edward, Sie and all of our Efforts at the Transitional House.

The WVIW Philemon Group is a group of partners who give each month to the ongoing support of the Transitional Home.

YOU can help us by becoming one of....

10 people to give $100.00/month,
25 people to give $50.00/month, and
50 people giving $25.00/month.

This will make up a permanent support team for the support of the Transitional Home. As a member of the Philemon Group, you will receive periodic letters of appreciation from our residents, photographs of residents and events, and CD's of messages preached by Johnny, Betty, Travis, or Sie.

We are receiving applications from new men almost daily.

Please help us turn ex-prisoners into future leaders.

There are several ways you can give. You can give at our Website www.wviw.com; by bank draft, or by mail.

Born In Prison

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Sie Davis was born in prison while his mother was incarcerated at the Goree Unit in Huntsville. His stepfather, was known as the "Godfather of South Dallas," and attempted to kill Sie for not carrying out a "hit." Sie went on to be incarcerated a number of times, even ending up in the same cell as his father. He was labeled by many to be nothing but a habitual criminal.

God had a different plan for his life.

Sie was released in 2000 on Valentine's Day. He is now working at Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness as Director of Overcomers program, and has taken this ministry into over 20 different TDCJ units. The reason this story is so inspirational is because Sie was incarcerated in Texas for almost 2 decades before pursuing his ministry.

In 2007, Sie Davis was presented the Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the 17,000 miles he traveled ministering to inmates within Texas. Sie received his second Criminal Justice Volunteer Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2008 for his service to the TDCJ through Overcomers.

"After being born in prison and spending 17 and a half years of my adult life behind bars, God is using my experience to help men and women to become productive citizens of society," he explains.

Sie has turned his experience in to a working model for success as an overseer of WVIW's After Care Programs such as Overcomers, The Transitional Home, and Resident Accountability courses.

Sie uses the lessons he learned since prison to
minister in as many prisons as possible in an effort to help those who are still incarcerated. It was these visits that enabled him to reconnect with and begin mentoring and developing WVIW's Director of Transitional Housing, Ed Chambers.
Sie also Pastors a church that is full of ex-prisoners; who, like Sie, are allowing God to rewrite their life's story.

A Fighting Chance

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Edward Chambers came to WVIW in the summer of 2007. He currently serves as the Director of our Transitional Home, displaying leadership and wisdom to help our men get on and stay on the right path. He teaches and guides our Transitional Home residents with respect and character. Through WVIW's Transitional Home Program, Edward is able to offer them something they have never had in their lifetime. A fighting chance.

Edward knows a lot about not having a fighting chance. Edward spent 25 years living in a place with no more chances and no more hope. He was locked up 4 separate times. When he was released on December 13, 2006, he had served 17 ½ years.

He and Sie Davis (now Director of Overcomers for WVIW) met in Dallas and have known each other since childhood. They were both in and out of prison for 2 decades but managed to stay in touch. When Edward was released he quickly reconnected with Sie.

This time they didn't reconnect on the streets, they reconnected in Church.

Edward realized there was no way of staying out with the track he had made for himself. He allowed God to take control of his life. Edward Chambers is a changed man. In late 2006, he began mentoring and training under Sie's leadership and in 6 short months was named Director of The Transitional Home for WVIW.

Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness' Transitional Home has become the outlet that allows Edward to give our residents the same hope for change he was given.

With Edward's leadership, our residents can now have their Own Fighting Chance.

Fore More Information on our Transitional Home Please Visit Our Website

Transitional Home resident celebrates 6 months OUT

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"First of all, I thank God for blessing me to be able to parole to WVIW Transitional Home when I was released, and I also would like to thank Mr. Moffitt for giving me a chance. [WVIW] is probably the best Transitional Home in Dallas. To make a house a Home there has to be love and compassion in the house, and WVIW, has truly been a HOME to me.

After getting out, I'm being accountable for my actions because I know I can't lean on my own understanding anymore. It's all about having faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the head of my life today and forever."

-Ronnie Towler, Transitional Home Resident since December 29, 2009

Ronnie spent most of his life trying to make it work his way. Instead, he found himself spending four years in prison. Deciding God wanted him to turn from a life of imprisonment gave him the chance to be paroled to WVIW's Transitional Home.

While at The Transitional Home Ronnie has gained a renewed encouragement and steadfastness in living life for God. He has had the support of Edward and Sie, WVIW's leaders in After Care Programs. Ronnie's gratitude can be seen in his words, but the Change can be seen in his actions. He is gainfully employed, engages in WVIW's programs and is eager to take his life to the next level.

Over half a year has passed since Ronnie Towler walked through the doors of The Transitional Home. He hasn't looked back.

For More Information On our Transitional House Please Visit our Website

Americans are facing hard and uncertain times.

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There is news of recession, national security, and uncertainty as to "what to do next".

At Worldwide Voice in the Wilderness, we are committed to staying the course we set out on over 30 years ago. We are and will continue to go into prison and share the Message of Hope and Salvation through Jesus Christ to the Prisoners of the State of Texas, The US and of the World.

Mark 16:15 (New International Version)

¹⁵He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation

WVIW, exists to spread the full gospel message of Jesus Christ to prisoners, professional correctional people, victims of crime, and their respective families.

In Texas we are facing tremendous needs. At the end of Fiscal Year 2007, TDCJ held 152,661 offenders in prisons and state jails. TDCJ supervised 431,495 people on probation and 103,122 parolees. There are 71,000 plus currently incarcerated in county jails, and Texas' criminal justice system has more than ¾ of a million people under its control – about one out of every 21 adults.

TDCJ received 73,525 new prisoners in Fy2007 and released 72,032, representing significant growth but at a much slower rate than in recent years. The youngest offender who entered prison in FY2007 was 15 years old, and the oldest was 88.

These are staggering numbers. These men, women, and children are our mission field. Not only the prisoners, but we are serving their families and caretakers as well. And this is just in Texas.

They Need Help.

We Need YOU.

Your prayers and gifts of support are what fuel our efforts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Please Consider making a Monthly Donation to allow us to continue the work God has set before us.

We WILL Carry on the Message of Christ, Recession or NOT.

Click Here To Donate

46 women start down the road to recovery

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Praise Report..........yesterday we had 46 women in the Overcomers/Daily Choice class!!! The guards had to move us from the classroom into the gym because the room capacity is 30. The class is growing. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to do the Will of the Father!!!

"It is hard to change a world of sin, when the Standard of Truth is walking in sin."

By Pastor W.L. Scott

Prophetess T Pickens

Real Word Ministries

210-363-5608

for More Info on Over comers See our Website or Click Here