A Heart for Families

One of our ministry initiatives is Incarceration to Incorporation (I2I). We believe that many leaders who will lead the urban church are currently incarcerated. One of the ways we equip and empower future leaders is through the offering of TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) classes in prison.

One of those leaders taking TUMI classes in prison is a man named Randy. Randy gave his life to Christ in the beginning of his sentencing and got married to his wife, Monica, while in prison. Randy graduated from TUMI in prison a couple years ago and was released last March. Since then, Randy has been helping teach TUMI classes at one of the churches in our Urban Church Association.

Randy and Monica have a huge heart for people who are incarcerated and for their families. A few years before Randy was released, Monica initiated an event called Christmas Connections. The event is designed to provide support and encouragement to the families who have loved ones in prison. There is great food, worship, teaching and time for families to connect and encourage one another.

Lisa and I have the opportunity each year to help out with this event, and it is one of the highlights of the year for us. This year, for the first time, Randy was able to co-lead this event with Monica. It was so encouraging to see Randy speak to the families who have loved ones in prison. He was able to connect with them in ways that no one else could. He knows what they are going through because his family experienced it as well. Randy was also able to share his testimony.

Please continue to pray for Randy and Monica as they grow in their marriage and in the Lord. Pray too, that God would use this annual event to encourage families and point them to Christ. Thank you so much for your partnership in ministry!