V2M June 2010
VISION CHALLENGE: REACH OUT TO THOSE BEHIND BARS Once a criminal...Always a criminal!
FREEDOM IN CHRIST.....FREEDOM INDEED ‘Once a criminal, always a criminal’ - is society’s way of branding those who have broken the law. From juvenile centers to high security prisons, most convicts would carry Cain’s curse to the grave even after serving their time. There are numerous stories of ex-convicts who have returned to crime because society could not accept them. Such men and women including juveniles have broken lives that are difficult to mend. Even if prison doors open for a convict, true freedom comes only through knowing Christ. The Bible says that Anyone in Christ is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and freedom in Christ is freedom for the weight of sin. Prison ministries are widely recognized as an effective means of bringing change and restoring the broken lives of prisoners. In jails and detention centers across the United States, Europe, Africa, Australia, India and other parts of the world, committed servants of God patiently and tirelessly present the good news of salvation to prisoners. While change is gradual, those who turn to the Lord see hope and find purpose in their lives. Such change also works on society’s
perception leading eventually very often to their acceptance. One of the most powerful testimonies of changed lives, is Karla Faye Tucker who was executed in a Texas in 1998 for murdering two men. She spent a total of 14 years in prison awaiting her fate and it was during this time that she began to read the Bible and turned to the Lord Jesus in 1995. Since then while in prison, many including the Prison Warden testified to the change in her life to the extent that she had become a model prisoner. Appeals to spare her life came from many across the world including the President of Italy, United Nations and even one of the Victim’s brother. In 1998 she was put to death by lethal injection, however hours before, she testified that she was filled with hope of meeting her Lord who had forgiven and restored her and that she was unafraid of death. Her final moments inspire many to the Lord, to this day. An equally challenging testimony is that of Reni George who is popularly known as Madrasille Mon. A severe drug addict, he had murdered his Uncle and Aunt to steal their jewels and buy drugs. Reni spent 14 years in
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jail and whilst on parole received the Lord. Today, out of jail, he is a full time evangelist with a family. He runs an orphanage in Bangalore and is active in prison ministries including restoring ex convicts. The Vision Challenge for the month June, 2010 is to reach out to those behind bars. As Karla could face her death in the hope of eternity and as Reni could re-build a broken life for the Gospel of Christ, there are many lives waiting to be touched. Are you willing to take the step?
MISSION CHALLENGE: THE MINISTRY OF LATE DR. CP SAMUEL P R E V I O U S I S S U E S January 2010 Uyghurs of Kazhakstan February 2010 Rescue the perishing..Care for the dying March 2010 - The Good News to the Islamic world April 2010 - The Nation of Argentina for the Lord May 2010 - Reaching Home with the Good News We welcome your feedback. If you would like to obtain the previous issues of V2M or if you have friends who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please let us know at vision2missionministry@ gmail.com
By profession, the late C.P. Samuel was a homeopathic doctor. It was this profession combined with his counseling methods that enabled him to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the prisons of Coimbatre, Tamil Nadu (India). Dr. Samuel was a beacon of hope to countless prisoners who were not only spiritually lost but also cast out by society.
life when they were burdened to care for the children of convicts sentenced for life. They took up the responsibility of arranging for the necessary spiritual and physical nourishment that these children so badly needed. Many of these children who were orphaned by the death of their parents; or by relatives abandoning them – were fostered and cared by the Samuels as though they were one of their own.
His Sunday visits and talks to the prisoners, convicted many who had already been convicted by law and brought them to the saving knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through whom all chains are loosed and all are truly free.
For almost 30 years, over 600 children were cared for by the Samuels. Today many of them have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, some of them are working, some of them are married and settled and are in various professions now.
There are many incidents of prisoners who had turned a new leaf because Bro. Samuel was there to listen to their problems, and show them the way to true freedom. There was even a time where a prisoner on death row, accepted the Lord and before he was hung, requested the jailor that his body be handed over to Dr. Samuel to be buried according to Christian rites.
Life for the Samuels was certainly never easy, but despite their hardships they chose to be available to Christ and to shine Him out of their lives so that they could influence the life of another. Dr. CP. Samuel passed away in 2000 but his life is an inspiration to many.
Dr. Samuel’s wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha also became actively involved in sharing the gospel among women prisoners. Our story however, does not end here. The Samuels did not just engage in jail evangelism but they made it their way of
One godly man or woman can make a dramatic difference, even in the darkest of circumstances. You may be the only believer whom some people will ever know. You may have been placed where you are by the Lord to be an influence and, in a godly way, to move people in the right direction. God can do a lot with a little only if we are available, willing and allow Him to.
A second chance at Life
Jail children & their wives & children
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