It brings joy to my heart to tell you about James Jeffery who has recently graduated from The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) of Fresno. There are also six more men—Roque, Rahsson, Michael, Joseph, Mark and Mario—who will be graduating from TUMI in Valley State Prison in July. I have had the honor and privilege of investing in each of these men over the last three and a half years.
James grew up through the ministry in Fresno, went to the leadership ranch in Kansas for two years, and has been discipling kids as a volunteer for the past 10 years while taking TUMI classes. I have known James for over 18 years and respect the man of God he has grown to be. And I have been so blessed to see the faithful lives and ministries of the other six men inside the prison walls.
TUMI is seminary-level training that equips leaders for the urban church and empowers church-plant movements in America and around the world. There are a total of 16 course modules, four in each of the following areas: Biblical Studies, Theology and Ethics, Christian Ministry, and Urban Missions. Each Module consists of eight two-hour classes and requires about two hours of homework for every hour in class. That adds up to 256 hours of class time and 512 hours of homework to reach graduation.
In each module the student is graded on class participation, memorization of Scripture, supplemental reading and book reports, three quizzes, a final exam, a five-page exegetical paper, and a ministry project. Wow! I’m tired just thinking about all effort that is required.
Rejoice with us in the accomplishment of these men. Praise God with us for His amazing work of saving and transforming grace. Paul told Timothy that the key to successful ministry was investing in reliable men who would also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). God, who is faithful, began a good work in each of these men, and I am so encouraged that these seven men are qualified and are investing in other men. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us in this vital ministry! Thank God for James and his much needed ministry to young men in Fresno. Thank God for Roque, Rahsson, Michael, Joseph, Mark and Mario as they minister behind the walls and then to their families and communities upon their release.
