Yesterday was the first Community Service trip of 2019 to Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission. I was Blessed to have 10 men from Clayton Transitional Center volunteer their time to serve the community. The Transitional Center is their last stage of prison. They get to work a job, save money, and leave back to the Free world better of financially and with a good job. As Free citizens, this is what we want, men who will contribute and pay taxes. It is also wonderful to see the redemption of a family! I am so Blessed to be a prison Chaplain. Here is a pic of the group and some of the other volunteers:      

I am a little late in making the final post for 2018 which was the outing from Clayton Transitional Center, their last stage of prison to do monthly community service. We went to help one of my biggest partners, Eyes of Love lighthouse mission hand out toys to 80 children for Christmas, as well as, sorting clothes upstairs and making sure each rack of clothes was neat, tidy, and that all empty hangers were in the prep room. I have been taking men to do this every month for almost 4 years, and they have showed how Awesome it can be when we jump in and help our community. Several of these men are now doing quite well back in the "Free World". I am so Blessed to be a Prison Chaplain! God is Good! Here is a pic of the crew and a few of the other volunteers that helped out: 

Many would ask, What is the purpose of this ministry, and why do I do it? Reducing the rate of recidivism lowers the cost of the corrections system, puts productive, tax paying citizens back into the system, reunites families, and redeems men! The State of Georgia ranks dead last in every corrections category. 1 in 13 residents in Georgia are on parole, probation, in jail or prison! Here is something I was given the other day that shows how God looks at these men. It is Extremely moving and accurate!.
PRISONS HOLD GOD'S TREASURES
Bill Yount : Oct 4, 1997

PRISONS HOLD GOD'S TREASURES
TREASURES by Bill Yount
Sat, 4 Oct 1997 20:35:23
It was late and I was tired, wanting to go to sleep, but God wanted to talk; It was about midnight, but it dawned on me that God does not sleep. His question made me restless. "Bill, where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures and valuables?" I said, "Lord, usually these treasures like gold, silver, diamonds and precious jewels are kept locked up somewhere out of sight with usually guards and security to keep them under lock and key." God spoke. Like man, My most valuable treasures on earth are also locked up." I then saw Jesus standing in front of seemingly thousands of prisons and jails. The Lord said, "These have almost been destroyed by the enemy, but these ones have the greatest potential to be used and to bring forth glory to my name. Tell MY people, I am going this hour to the prisons to activate the gifts and callings that lie dormant in these lives that were given before the foundation of the earth. Out from these walls will come forth an Army of Spiritual who will have power to literally kick down the gates of Hell and overcome satanic powers that are holding many of My own people bound in My own house.
Tell my people that great treasure is behind these walls in these forgotten vessels. My people must come forth and touch these ones, for a mighty anointing will be unleashed upon these for future victory in My kingdom. THEY MUST BE RESTORED."
I then saw the Lord step up to the prison doors with a key. One key fit every lock and the gates began to open. I then heard and saw great explosions which sounded like dynamite going off behind the walls. It sounded like all-out spiritual warfare. Jesus turned and said, "Tell My people to go in now and pick up the spoil and rescue these." Jesus then began walking in and touching inmates who were thronging Him. Many being touched instantly began to have a golden glow come over them. God spoke to me, "THERE'S THE GOLD!" Others had a silver glow around them. God said, "THERE'S THE SILVER!"
Like slow motion they began to grow into what appeared to be giant knights in armor-like warriors. They had on the entire armor of God and every piece was solid and pure gold! Even golden shields! When I saw the golden shields, I heard God say to these warriors: "Now go and take what Satan has taught you and use it against him. Go and pull down the strongholds coming against MY church." The spiritual giants then started stepping over the prison walls with no one to resist them, and they went immediately to the very front line of the battle with the enemy. I saw them walk right past the church and big-name ministers known for their power with God were surpassed by the giant warriors like David going after Goliath! They crossed the enemy's line and started delivering many of God's people from the clutches of Satan while demons trembled and fled out of sight at their presence. No one, not even the church, seem to know who these spiritual giants were or where they came from. All you could see was the armor, the golden armor of God, from head to foot, and the shields of gold were there. The shields were restored to God's House and there was great victory and rejoicing.
I also saw silver, precious treasures, and vessels being brought in. Beneath the gold and silver were the people that nobody knew: REJECTS OF SOCIETY, STREET PEOPLE, THE OUT CASTS, THE POOR and the DESPISED. These were the treasures that were missing from His House.
In closing the Lord said, "If my people want to know where they are needed, tell them they are needed in the STREETS, the HOSPITALS, the MISSIONS, and PRISONS. When they come there they will find Me and the next move of my spirit and they will be judged by My Word in Matthew 25:42. "For I was hungry and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty and you gave me no drink: I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you clothes me not: Sick and in prison and you visited me not."

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Yesterday I was Blessed to take 8 men from Clayton Transitional Center, their last stage of prison, to 12Stone church and then to share a meal with my wife Shelly and I at Steak N Shake. Three of these men have not been out to a real church in a few years. They were very thankful, and the message was very appropriate for them; Pressure and Worry, and how we need to handle them from a Biblical perspective. I live my life not from Worry, although Pressure is there; I do my best to plan with a mindset of Concern, and then let God work-out the details. Worry fosters poor decision, and for these men their days of poor decisions needs to be a thing of the past! This was a wonderful group today! God is Good! Here is a pic of the crew:

This past Saturday, November 10, 2018 was Community Service day at Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission in Buford, Ga. I took 8 men with me from Clayton Transitional Center. This was the time of year to change over from summer clothes to winter clothes. Eyes of Love is like Goodwill, but everything is FREE. Joe and Elva had most of the racks cleared and boxed. So we put the summer boxes away, and put the winter clothes on hangers and then on the rack.  We had a total of about 30 people helping, Many hands make for light work!! We were also Blessed with 50 donated Chick-Fil-A's from Mark at Lawrenceville-Suwanee location, and one of our helpers donated $50 to buy pizza to go with the chicken sandwiches. Everyone ate well. It is amazing what can happen when a community comes together to get some work done, that in turn, benefits other needy people in several surrounding communities. God is Good! Here is a pic of my crew and Joe and Elva and their trusty pup Chico!

Saturday October 27th I was Blessed to host this years Music Day at Clayton Transitional Center; which is the last stop for men in prison. We were Blessed with the Jordan B Band to play wonderful Christian music, Brother Randall Brannon delivered a wonderful message. We served 325+ men BBQ, chips and drinks. (We had leftovers for those who were at work so they could eat upon their return). I took at True Servant with me, Wayne Wasmus has helped me serve these men for three years in a row. This event is to show these men that there are men in the Free World who care enough to come serve them and let them know that we want them to SUCCESSFULLY return to society, be productive, and, over time, earn their place back as the head of their family! Successful reentry is all about reducing recidivism, reconciling families, and creating a safe and productive community! I serve at Clayton as one of the Chaplains twice a week, and I do a Bible study at Phillips State TC every Wednesday evening! God is Good! Here are some pics from the event:

I was Blessed yesterday to take 6 men from Clayton TC, their last stage of prison, to do Community Service. I use a wonderful, donated van when I take men out. We worked at Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission in Buford, Georgia. It is like Goodwill, but everything is FREE. I take these men, who will need a lot of help when they are released, to do Community Service to instill in them that there are always others that need help more than they do. It is also to show how God wants us to live, Love and help others! We als have a Free, donated lunch for everyone that works, and as a treat after we are finished I take the men to Dairy Queen! The local Dairy Queen provided our lunch, and they always give us a discount for the ice cream. God is Good!  Here is a pic of the crew: 

I am going to add a screen shot to this post of the 2nd most reliable thing in my life; God is the first most reliable! I have owned a Honda Accord, 2003 model, for a little over 15 years. It has over 300,000 miles on it. I use it for 95% of my ministry work, and I drive 500 to 700 miles per week. I am a Volunteer Prison Chaplain and I visit two different Transitional Centers, their last stage of prison time, 3 days or more per week, and this car has always gotten me where I need to go. It is starting to make some noises I don't like, and I believe it is getting close to retirement time! Since I am a volunteer, I do not get paid, so I am trying to raise the funds to get a new vehicle. I am a 501(c)(3) non-profit so that ALL donations are tax deductible. Here is a screen shot of the mileage: God Bless!!

The van was almost at capacity yesterday as I took 10 men from Clayton Transitional Center to 12Stone church. Two of them had never attended 12Stone, and it has been many years since they were able to go to church outside of the prison walls! PK talked about our church LivingSent, going out into the community to Love people like Jesus. I did that 4 1/2 years ago when God told me to start this ministry; not my idea! A man doing a life sentence at the main prison at Phillips State, he even gave me the name! As I look back I have no regrets. I truly enjoy trying to show these men that even though we have ALL made mistakes, God still forgives and loves us! We enjoyed a meal together after church at Steak N Shake. God is Good! Here is a pic of the 10 men:

I was Blessed yesterday to take 9 men from Clayton Transitional Center to Community Service; why do I take these men in prison to do community service? These men will have many needs and will need lots of help when they reenter the Free world, but they must also realize that there will always be people who are worse off than they are, and, therefore, we must go help those people!! Jesus modeled this behavior, so we must model this behavior! There are never enough warriors to go help those in need, so as long as I am able I will gladly take these men to help those in need and the wonderful folks, Joe and Elva at Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission in Buford, Ga. Without these men helping them over the last 3 years, the mission would not be able to stay open. They never have enough help to sort and put out all of the clothes and other goods that are donated. God is Good!! Here a couple of pictures of the crew and of our Blessed transportation van. This ministry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and if you feel led to donate, please click on the store button. God Bless!!