Northern California Conference
Not Forgotten:
Prison Ministry Changes Lives By Julie Lorenz
O PHOTO: BERNADETTE JOHNSON
n a Sabbath in November, church members from around the Northern California Conference (NCC) gathered at the West Sacramento church for Prison Ministry Day, a time of inspiration and training.
Michael Ashley, president and founder of Touch of Love/ New Beginnings ministries, inspires attendees during Prison Ministry Day.
Attendees witnessed firsthand the power of a changed life. Vincent Williams, who was incarcerated for 30 years, described how prison ministry volunteers introduced him to a saving relationship with Jesus. “Vincent testified how God gives us hope of a resurrection—even in impossible situations when we make devastating mistakes in our lives,” said Willie Johnson, NCC prison ministries coordinator. Also during the day, the NCC honored Pacific Union College church members Art and Betty Westphal for their 35-plus years of service as prison ministry volunteers. (See next page.) “I am inspired by the commitment and dedication of the Westphals,” said Johnson. “Only in
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March 13-15, 2020 LEONI MEADOWS GUEST SPEAKER
Randy Maxwell Renton Church Pastor/ Prayer Ministries Director, Washington Conference
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) Register online at www.leonimeadows.org or call (530) 626-3610. For questions, contact Esmé and Robert Ross, (530) 210-4723.
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heaven will we learn the full results of their labor.” “Art and Betty have been so faithful,” said Victor Beale, Pacific Union Conference prison ministries coordinator. “They have given their lives to prison ministry.” In the morning, retired Pastor George Jackson spoke for the worship service, and in the afternoon, Michael Ashley, president and founder of Touch of Love/New Beginnings ministries, led a training seminar for the attendees. Touch of Love has shared God’s Word with more than 100,000 prisoners since 1988. The NCC prison ministries department presents two training events each year. It also purchases Adventist books and magazines for prisons and jails. The department is currently raising money for a project titled Blade of Hope, which aims to provide transitional housing for released inmates in the Sacramento area. “Many of those we have baptized have asked if we have transitional housing, and we’ve had to tell them ‘no,’” said Beale. Johnson and Beale hope that more people with a passion for prison ministry will want to get involved— especially those in their 20s and 30s. “There are a lot of young people in prison, and what greater influence
