As we come quickly to the end of 2012, I am asking for your consideration in making a financial donation to Providing Hope Ministries.
Providing Hope Ministries has provided chaplaincy services in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility since 2004. This is a crucial ministry that has provided the possibility of authentic hope in some of the darkest and dire moments in the lives of thousands of people over the years. We pray that this can continue until Jesus returns.
In 2009 when I was appointed the Executive Chaplain, we have been focused on the future and expanding the impact of this ministry to the Glory of God. We have seen transformed lives and people rescued by the Savior from the clutches of spiritual and physical death. We have and will continue to be His ambassadors of reconciliation (restored relationship)for a Kingdom without end.
Over the past several years, we have been blessed to receive a large portion of our operating budget from the "Logos Fund" of the Luzerne Foundation. Without this financial investment, we could not continue the ministry in its current state. This yearly donation over the last three years has contributed between 25%-50% of our annual budget. The remainder of the annual budget of nearly $75,000.00 is donated by churches and individuals who regularly support the ministry. We do receive a small stipend each year from the Luzerne County Prison inmate fund of about 8% of our yearly operating costs.As of the writing of this we have not received any funding this year from the "Logos Fund" and do not anticipate that to change. This does not change our mission and our focus of providing chaplaincy care to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. It does mean that we are at a crucial financial crossroad in this ministry. As I said before we are blessed to have nearly 15 churches that partner with us either monthly, quarterly, and some once a year from our local area. Their contribution attributes per annum about $25,000.00 which equates to about a 1/3 of our operating budget.We are blessed by the current churches that support us, but it is clear we need more churches to step into this role as we move forward. We also need individuals, families, and businesses that recognize the importance of the ministry to the inmates to continue.
As an organization we have represented Christ to thousands of inmates and others affected by the criminal-justice system in Luzerne County. We have carefully built a reputation of being a help and not a hindrance to the staff and leadership of the L.C.C.F. And they lean on us regularly to assist them in their daily mission.
Please consider making a commitment of becoming a regular supporter of this ministry that is making an impact right here in our community. If you could consider $25, $50, or $100 as a monthly donation, it would mean we are one step closer to meeting our financial needs for the remainder of this year and into 2013.Thank you for your consideration in this crucial and challenging time.
Donations can be accepted online at www.jub.org and by mailing to: Providing Hope Ministries, PO Box 2103, Kingston, Pa 18704.
We offer direct chaplaincy care, Bible studies, worship services, and a variety of recovery programs to the over 750 (average population) inmates of the Luzerne County Division of Corrections. Each week classes/services are conducted by our Chaplain's and volunteers that currently represent a variety of different churches in Luzerne county committed to sharing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have been affected by incarceration in our community.
