Greetings from Celebrate Recovery Inside at CFRC Orlando, FL...
You are invited to the graduation of the CRI class of 2012. As many of you know, we started Celebrate Recovery Inside (CRI) at the FDOC CFRC prison facility's Main Unit in 2010 as an outreach from Celebrate Recovery Orlando with the help of 4Given ministries and the gracious staff at the CFRC facility. Since then we have graduated 2 classes of inmates totaling approximately 75 inmates and have expanded to both the Main and East units. Many of those men return to volunteer every Thursday at CRI to minister to others as peer group facilitators. Just last night we saw 20 decisions for Christ by inmates after hearing a CR testimony. God is certainly changing lives at CRI. Our prayer and hope is to take the CRI program into the South unit in 2012. The leaders for that effort are currently in training. With the Lord's help and your prayers, we can continue to disciple even more men for Christ at CFRC in 2012.
Next week 12 inmates that have been faithful to the CRI discipleship program at the Main Unit will graduate. We will hold a small ceremony at the CFRC chapel to award chips and certificates to recognize their accomplishment through worship, prayer and our readings, along with some testimonials, and a few keynote speakers. Thank you for you continued prayers and support...To God be the glory...
…and from last Spring Currently in 2011 CRI at CFRC in Orlando, FL in the main unit we are tracking well in our 2nd year class there. I have two new volunteers now in the main unit that are in training to hopefully take CRI into the south unit. The prison worship band has been helping me more with worship in the main unit, which helps tremendously. In the east unit John Watson of 4Given Ministries is about to graduate his first CRI class over there, and he is doing a fantastic job with his CRI team in that unit. Thank you for you continued prayers. Jeff Parker
Here are some short testimonials from Inside participants in Florida: “I am writing this because I truly think and feel that (the) CRI class brought into prison where I’m at and has been beneficial to me and many others who are serious about a new life without drugs or alcohol in their lives. I’m familiar with Celebrate Recovery outside of jails and prisons, but never fully applied myself. Having this time in here, in this class, has helped me with many things, even apart from my addiction to drugs. Men and women that don’t even have a problem with drinking or using drugs can find help in this program. It’s also helped me in my walk as a believer in Jesus Christ. I’m very thankful for all the men who have brought this class to us: Jeff, John, and Arnold; this program has given me among other men hope. Thank God for what he has allowed us to learn, your brother in Christ, Tommy Brinson”
“This program, which I was blessed to be able to attend from start to finish, has changed my life. It helped me get my mind right and prepared me for a walk with Jesus outside of these gates and away from the old me. The guys who brought CR into CRFC, namely Jeff, John and Arnold, (who) were great, in that they could not only relate to our current incarceration, but to getting back ‘in’ with God through His son, Jesus. Steve Patterson”
“For starters, I would like to thank Jeff and Arnold; and for all that couldn’t be here, Jonathan, John, and Socrates, to name a few. You guys have taken the time out of your lives to come in here and share this program with us. To me, it (has) meant a lot. It shows you honestly care, and it shows there’s still a lot of good left in the world. The program has given me a chance and the motivation to take the time and take an honest look at me, my past, my character defects, and the things I’ve done to some people I have harmed. John mentioned integrity a while ago…doing the right thing when no one is looking…and I can honestly say I’ve gotten my integrity back. The program’s also given me a chance to get closer to some guys I normally wouldn’t have. Through our common goals within this program I’ve sat with a few of the guys and talked about a lot of things; from faults, trust, relapse, wrongs, and triggers. I feel I’ve acquired a little more patience from coming to class down and out, and left every time in good spirits and my head held high. I’ve also gotten closer to my savior, Jesus Christ. I’m not saying I’m fixed and anywhere near perfect, but I can honestly say that Celebrate Recovery Inside has helped me grow and prepare me for the real test…the streets” Jason Stara
“Cuando yo empecé vine solo por enrollo, pero todo cambió. Poco a poco las lecciones me fueron enseñando una nueva puerta donde poder examinar seguro y me han hecho crecer con mi fe. Mi mirada hacia el futuro cuando completo esta lección es estar limpio, positivo y seguir por el camino de la verdad con la ayuda de Dios. ( A los quien están pensando en entrar es este programa) yo les diría es algo que poco a poco cambia tu vida de una manera maravillosa que te saca de estas paredes aunque sea por el tiempo de duración de cada clase y te hace crecer como hombre. Como amigo, y como padre.” Heyter Hernández
“When I first came it was just for the attendance, but everything changed. Little by little the lessons that were being taught to me were an open door where (there was) the power to safely examine (one’s self) and they have caused me to grow in my faith. My view towards the future when I complete this lesson is to be clean, positive, and following the way of truth, with the help of God. (To those who are thinking of entering this program) I would tell them that it is something that little by little changes your life in a marvelous way, that it takes you out of these walls even for the duration of the class, and makes you grow as a man…as a friend, and as a father.” |
