I’m both humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to serve our community through the Chaplaincy program at the Lancaster County Prison. Over 25 years ago I was informed by God that someday this would come about. Largely because of my own personal experience – looking from the inside out – not the outside in. A story for another time.
Our mission at Embracing Brokenness Ministries is to focus on teaching and assisting the poor and disenfranchised – the least, the last, and the left out. God calls each of us to love Him and serve one another. Unfortunately the underserved are often forgotten. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, not only due to the unrighteousness of the people but largely because they abandoned the poor. Ezekiel was clear. “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50 NIV)
We’re further called to help those in conditions where the traditional family unit has disintegrated. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
This journey we call life is equivalent to a grain of sand compared to eternity. Our greatest challenge is to pursue a consistent life in Christ. This world, the enemy, and our flesh tear at the fabric of the church – each of us that are committed to a better way.
Please pray for those experiencing a life they didn’t sign up for. That God would intersect their world in a miraculous way. Colleen and I are committed to doing just that and invite you into the journey.
If any of you know someone currently or about to be incarcerated at LCP that could benefit from a visit from one who simply wants to demonstrate God’s love to them, please let me know. I’m excited to serve in any way God sees fit to call me.
Blessings to each of you as you engage in what God has for you in 2020.
Steve
