1) Paperback Bible dictionary/concordances in English or Spanish (you’d be surprised how often I get requests for these)
2) Discovery Series booklets (same publisher as Daily Bread) on any topic
3) Blank cards so inmates can write to their families.
4) Soft Cover King James Bibles or Reina Valera Spanish Bibles. I get ESV through Gideons, but I’m sometimes light on these other good translations that are frequently requested.
March 2022 Update
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your continued partnership in the jail ministry. It is a joy to share with you what God is doing behind bars and what He is doing outside the jail through Good News Jail & Prison ministry.
Ukraine and Good News
Like you, my mind and heart have been inclined towards Ukraine lately. Last month, I told you about our former exchange student, Nadiya, and her family. Her mom and grandparents decided to stay in-country because of their lack of physical mobility. Thus far, their city hasn’t been invaded – praise God! Good News has three chaplains that are deployed in the city of Dnipro (Ukraine’s 4th largest city, located in south central Ukraine). These chaplains have also decided to stay in-country. They are strengthening the local church and preparing the city for possible attack by distributing water, creating sandbag barriers, etc.
One of our very own jail volunteers, Andrew, travelled to Ukraine last week to deliver Bible tracts and medical supplies in partnership with a local missionary friend. After a tense moment at the Hungarian/Ukrainian border, Andrew was able to complete his mission successfully and return to Budapest. He is a modern ‘Brother Andrew.’ Praise God for keeping him safe. It’s amazing the impact Good News people are having in the world for Christ – in their communities, and even in the midst of chaos and conflict. I’m sure many of you have connections to Ukraine as well. I’d like to hear from you, so I can be in prayer. This is a time for the Body of Christ to unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters in need.
Ministry in the Jail
March was a very busy month, since I was regaining momentum with primary ministries such as weekly Bible studies, counseling, and Reformers Unanimous (RU). After a slow restart, it has been encouraging to see increasing numbers of men and women coming out for weekly services with me and our volunteers. RU has been especially encouraging. I have 9 men enrolled right now split into 2 classes based on their pod. 9 might not sound like very many, but it is 10% of the current jail population. The men are expected to grow spiritually. The enthusiasm in the group lately has been palpable and contagious. The men are singing their lungs out whenever we do music. Three of these men are already into book 4 of the RU curriculum. We continue to work on Scripture memorization as a group, especially Isaiah 55:7 and Psalm 1 (the RU theme verses). Every time we share struggles in the group, I ask the men if they can find an antidote directly from Scripture. Sometimes, I get the ball rolling on this, but they have really caught on. We don’t swap war stories or give personal opinions. Instead, we rely on answers directly from the Word.
In the regular Bible studies, I continue to get a good number of ICE detainees. I’ve been practicing more songs in Spanish to minister to them. Surprisingly, (and this must be the Lord), I do much better singing in Spanish than I do attempting to speak it conversationally. Mr. Attila continues to come faithfully to services despite limited English comprehension, which is very encouraging. I always translate the notes for him into Hungarian.
A few former inmates that I haven’t seen in a long time have reached out to me lately. I pray that God would continue to work in their hearts and bring them into the fold.
For those of you who were at the banquet, you will remember the powerful testimony of James Osborn, a former inmate in our facility whom God has completely transformed. That was Jame’s first real public speaking experience. However, based on that initial experience, he has now been invited to speak to a group of 1200 youth at a Your Life, Your Choice anti drugs and alcohol rally being held at Parkside church on April 26th. It is incredible what God is doing in his life!
Prayer Requests
1. Please pray that God would draw men and women to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Please pray for inmates who have made commitments to Christ, that the Holy Spirit would do His transformative work in their hearts and lives, and that they would have a hunger for God’s Word.
3. Please pray that the Lord would continue to give me opportunities to bless the corrections officers and share the Gospel with them.
4. Pray for the people of Ukraine. Pray for God’s protection, especially Christian brothers and sisters. Pray that this would be a great platform to Jesus to manifest His grace and power.
God is working powerfully through your prayers and partnership in this ministry!
Serving the King,
Chaplain Ethan Maynard
(818) 726-7083
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)