Two major ministry directions have marked The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) in 2016. One is the translation work in which I am involved. International interest in TUMI’s training materials continues to grow. We now have 17 language translation projects in work, and we have every reason to believe that number will grow in the next year. I am excited for what is next!
A second growth area for TUMI in 2016 is prison ministry. The Capstone Curriculum and Fight the Good Fight of Faith are now being used in nearly 70 American prisons. Recently, TUMI celebrated the very first Capstone graduating class in a women’s prison. It took place in California Institute for Women, Chino, California. The TUMI staff who were there described it: “You would have loved the graduation at CIW today! It was unlike any other graduation we have been to since it was the first one with the women. They danced, they sang, they cried—it was amazing. They are such fierce warriors for Christ…They are worthy and they are ready!”
One of the TUMI graduates shared this declaration at her graduation:
“The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer! The Holy Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire! I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this Army at the second coming of Jesus Christ, or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me! Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier in the Army, and I’m marching, claiming victory! I will not give up! I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound. Here I stand!”
Whatever background caused a person to end up behind bars is no barrier to the Holy Spirit. We have witnessed many amazing life transformations. It is a privilege and a blessing to be part of the ministry.