Shekinah Christian Ministries

Prisons & Jails Probation & Parole

Youth & Gangs Nursing Homes

Shekinah Christian Ministries
I was in prison and you visited me ... (Matt. 25:36)

drawing by Robert Hale, Sterling Correctional Facility inmate

Excerpts from The Silent War
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"We've Fought the Silent War
For Over Twenty-Two Years

Shekinah Christian Ministries and some 200 volunteers work within 25 county, state and federal penal institutions to transform the hearts and minds of inmates -- permanently turning them from lives of crime. We recognize that 75 to 85% of crimes are committed by repeat offenders, and 95% of all prisoners will be released within three years. Shekinah intervenes to break this cycle of criminality by introducing a higher order of spirituality, morality and responsibility into the lives of prisoners.

And our approach works.Our volunteers work statewide to reach large numbers of felons each year. One associate program successfully turns some 95% of the inmates into peaceful, tax-paying citizens. (Compared to society's over-all rate of just 15-20% success in preventing repeat criminality -- recidivism.)

We have one paid staff member, who makes but $26,000 a year. We have several office volunteers (all part-time), 118 jail and prison volunteers, 27 nursing home volunteers, and numerous once-in-a-while casual volunteers. This combined force provided over 35,000 hours of service to the community in year 2002, with a conservative equivalent labor value of approximately $.12 million. Most of these volunteers each spend well over a thousand dollars a year on donations, meals, transportation, lodging and personal supplies in fulfilling our manifold ministries. All this is accomplished on an annual budget of just $86,000.

Despite the $$$ billions spent on incarceration- we can shepherd only a few of the thouands released each year. As our support base increases we will expand not only our current programs, but will open up more of Colorado's 13 youth prisons to the Word of God.

Our programs address five specific areas of need:
Youth Ministry…………Gang Outreach…………Jail Ministry………… Prison Ministry………… Restoration Homes…………."

Excerpts from Nursing Homes and Elderly Care Centers:
A Ripe Harvest Ground
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The War Against Loneliness
Our nation houses millions of elderly folk suffering from loneliness and a lack of contact with the outside world. Many feel neglected by their families and forgotten by friends. Some have a reached a point in their lives where, for the first time, they are open to the revelation of God's love for them.

Shekinah Christian Ministries has been working since 1991 to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of nursing home residents in Colorado. Currently, we serve over a dozen facilities with weekly visitation, church services, bible studies and musical programs......"

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

Loveland Banquet Attracts Over 40 New Supporters

Business and political leaders from Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley attended the Shekinah Community Outreach banquet, April 12, at Loveland's McKee Conference Center. Some 86 attended, including Shekinah staff, volunteers and guests. Attendees picked up 18 Shekinah Volunteer enrollment packages, and another 40 or so made donations totaling more than $6,000. The banquet was second in a series of five planned for Northern Colorado in 2002.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, who attended with wife Deborah, commented that: “There are more people behind bars in the United States than ever before, but incarceration alone won’t solve the ills of society. It will take a change of heart. The most effective programs; those that truly change one’s mindset and outlook are religious-based."

"However, what happens upon their release," he asked. "Will inmates return to their old friends and old ways, or will their newfound faith make a difference? Sadly, without proper guidance, mentoring and aftercare, their prospects are not good. That is why I support the efforts of Shekinah and the other Northern Colorado Jail and Prison Ministries. With proper aftercare, released inmates have a much better chance of growing in faith and becoming productive members of society."

Placing Jesus at the Head

Also attending were Steve and Marilyn Musgrave. Marilyn is a long-time State Senator from Fort Morgan, and is currently running for U.S. House of Representatives for the Fourth Congressional District (largest district in the state). Marilyn spoke briefly of her commitment to Jesus Christ, and said it was easy for her to become a Shekinah supporter, "because it is clear to me that Jesus is the head of your ministry." She added that she will always work hard to incorporate her Christian beliefs into relevant deliberations and decisions.

Larry Haag, Shekinah Executive Director, also noted the presence of Loveland’s Kevin Lundberg at the meeting, and thanked him for attending. Larry commented that Kevin is a solid, Christian businessman, and worthy of support in his bid for a house seat from the 49th Statehouse District.

The Source of Freedom

Loveland Chief of Police Tom Wagoner couldn't attend because of a scheduling conflict. In a letter to Shekinah, Chief Wagoner said: "I believe in what you are doing. Not only are we called to love, remember and serve those in prison, we are to proclaim freedom for the prisoner. And we know that true freedom only comes from a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

"I am convinced," he continued, "that we cannot afford to keep building prisons, and we certainly can’t leave ex-offenders to find their own way once they leave prison. The high recidivism rates are testimony to our failure as a society to support them when they leave prison. Shekinah helps provide the necessary support, but they need help and involvement by the rest of us to do that."

Speaker Mel Goebel took charge with his usual forceful, energetic witness to Jesus Christ, and stayed long past the scheduled closing time to autograph books for an enthusiastic audience. Loui Nielsen’s songs and testimony captivated the crowd, which also enjoyed a great prime rib dinner.

Larry Haag singled out Dave Cook for his hard work in signing up over 80 people for the banquet; commenting that the banquet wouldn’t have been a success without Dave’s solid commitment to Shekinah. Tom and Julie Hoffman also worked extensively to ensure a good meeting and a good turnout, and once again proved their value to the ministry as Northern Colorado Directors.

9:03:05 AM

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