Field Report: Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (Y. C. I.)
Chaplain Joe Kadtke
Religious Passes
Since the administration at Y.C.I. instituted the pass system for religious services some interesting things have transpired.
At first there was a major reduction in our service attendance. Some inmates had been coming to chapel just to get off of the units. Often security would have to remove those inmates who disrupted. That of course has stopped completely.
We now have inmates coming who have in their hearts a real desire to learn and worship.
Attendance has been slowly but steadily increasing ever since. Our chapel services have been so sweet in the spirit of the Lord.
The choir has shown more spiritual growth and our Bible studies have been excellent. Men interact with each other about issues that are important in their lives. Best of all, the Word of God is going forth without interference.
We are so thankful for this turn of events. It is a lot more work for me as the Chaplain but it is worth the effort beyond measure.
Since the administration at Y.C.I. instituted the pass system for religious services some interesting things have transpired.
At first there was a major reduction in our service attendance. Some inmates had been coming to chapel just to get off of the units. Often security would have to remove those inmates who disrupted. That of course has stopped completely.
We now have inmates coming who have in their hearts a real desire to learn and worship.
Attendance has been slowly but steadily increasing ever since. Our chapel services have been so sweet in the spirit of the Lord.
The choir has shown more spiritual growth and our Bible studies have been excellent. Men interact with each other about issues that are important in their lives. Best of all, the Word of God is going forth without interference.
We are so thankful for this turn of events. It is a lot more work for me as the Chaplain but it is worth the effort beyond measure.
A new way to reach men for Christ
Live From Gander Hill Chapel!
The administration has installed video cameras and a system that allows us to broadcast live chapel services and music. This system, which has been complete through its second phase of construction, enables us to manipulate the two cameras and channel both video and audio through the cable system to the living areas. Men on the sentenced side of the institution are permitted to purchase personal TV’s for their cells. East side inmates are either workers or they are in educational or drug programs. We have been given Channel 12 as our designated Faith Channel. It is fully controlled from the chapel. Special inspirational concerts as well as other events can also be broadcast. We also broadcast gospel music from 9AM – 3PM Monday through Friday. We call the station W.Y.C.I. (NOTE: The "W" in W.Y.C.I. is an FCC designation indicating that it is being broadcast East of the Mississippi. This is not needed since it is in-house closed circuit, but lends to it a sence of respectibility.)
The administration has installed video cameras and a system that allows us to broadcast live chapel services and music. This system, which has been complete through its second phase of construction, enables us to manipulate the two cameras and channel both video and audio through the cable system to the living areas. Men on the sentenced side of the institution are permitted to purchase personal TV’s for their cells. East side inmates are either workers or they are in educational or drug programs. We have been given Channel 12 as our designated Faith Channel. It is fully controlled from the chapel. Special inspirational concerts as well as other events can also be broadcast. We also broadcast gospel music from 9AM – 3PM Monday through Friday. We call the station W.Y.C.I. (NOTE: The "W" in W.Y.C.I. is an FCC designation indicating that it is being broadcast East of the Mississippi. This is not needed since it is in-house closed circuit, but lends to it a sence of respectibility.)
Immediate Goals
My first goal is to broadcast music 24/7 through the use of CD changing equipment. Many of the men are enjoying this opportunity to meditate on Christian music when it is available.
My second goal is to create an inmate communications ministry team to assist in this undertaking.
Bible Study
Our Bible studies on Tuesday afternoons have been a real blessing to all who attend. We are studying 2Timothy 2, “The Character of a Soldier of Christ”
We have had as many as 26 in attendance.
Reggie Jackson, from Wilmington Christian Center team teaches with me. Minister Jackson once was incarcerated in Delaware prisons including Young Correctional Institution. He now ministers to the men through our chapel services, Bible studies and visitation counseling.
We have had as many as 26 in attendance.
Reggie Jackson, from Wilmington Christian Center team teaches with me. Minister Jackson once was incarcerated in Delaware prisons including Young Correctional Institution. He now ministers to the men through our chapel services, Bible studies and visitation counseling.
Field Report from Chaplain Joe Kadtke
In your face preaching from the pulpit
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
I really appreciate the support that we receive from the staff and administration of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. So often you hear only the negative things that happens in the Department of Correction in the news paper or on television. I have the opportunity to see these men and women daily and know their job is often hard and dangerous. Still they perform their responsibilities in a most professional manor. Without these dedicated men and women we could not conduct the ministry services and programs that we are able to make available to the inmates. They assist us in so many ways. It is a privilege to work along side of them and Facility Chaplain.
(above: Howard Young Chapel view from the back-center row)
Keep Praying! There is a Lot to Rejoice Over!
Chaplain Tim Heald's Field Report
Vaughn Correctional Center Dispatch:
Things continue to go well at VCC in Smyrna. Our King's Garden program is in full swing with dirt being turned over all over the compound. The New Life Class continues and as we approach the conclusion of this course, I already have several names for our next class. My counseling time continues to grow with more men wanting/needing to talk while our Bible studies, with the faithful volunteers, continues to flourish. Thank you for your continued prayers as we strive to meet needs and share Christ with the men at VCC.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
Things continue to go well at VCC in Smyrna. Our King's Garden program is in full swing with dirt being turned over all over the compound. The New Life Class continues and as we approach the conclusion of this course, I already have several names for our next class. My counseling time continues to grow with more men wanting/needing to talk while our Bible studies, with the faithful volunteers, continues to flourish. Thank you for your continued prayers as we strive to meet needs and share Christ with the men at VCC.
In His Service Together,
Chaplain Tim Heald
Chaplain Steve Anderson's Field Report
Dave Berry's baptism
Bible Studies 18 Bibles 5
Individual Sessions 29 Individuals taken to church 1
Housing 1 Pastoral Meetings 1
Clothing 2 Phone calls to ex-offenders 10
Webb Correctional Center-The turnover rate at Webb continues to be high, leaving about 3-4 weeks with each individual before he moves to another facility. I am working to develop curriculum to fit this brief time frame. I continue to have 3 Bible studies a week at Webb and multiple counseling sessions per day.
We are 5 weeks into our 7th season for the King's Garden Program at Webb.
Gander Hill Prison- Steve Parker, from Brandywine Valley Baptist Church will join me on the last Friday of every month to teach at the Youthful Criminal Offenders Program. YCOP is a section of Gander Hill that houses 15-17 year olds. I teach a Bible study at YCOP on the second and fourth Friday. Please pray for the Christians at YCOP. There is extreme pressure to convert to Islam. At least two of the guys over the last 8 months have converted from Christianity.
Aftercare- Our group is studying the Alpha course. Alpha is a dvd course on the fundamentals of Christianity. I have added a new category to track phone calls. When working wtih guys who have been released from prison, I find it is important to stay in contact throughout the week by phone.
Individual Sessions 29 Individuals taken to church 1
Housing 1 Pastoral Meetings 1
Clothing 2 Phone calls to ex-offenders 10
Webb Correctional Center-The turnover rate at Webb continues to be high, leaving about 3-4 weeks with each individual before he moves to another facility. I am working to develop curriculum to fit this brief time frame. I continue to have 3 Bible studies a week at Webb and multiple counseling sessions per day.
We are 5 weeks into our 7th season for the King's Garden Program at Webb.
Gander Hill Prison- Steve Parker, from Brandywine Valley Baptist Church will join me on the last Friday of every month to teach at the Youthful Criminal Offenders Program. YCOP is a section of Gander Hill that houses 15-17 year olds. I teach a Bible study at YCOP on the second and fourth Friday. Please pray for the Christians at YCOP. There is extreme pressure to convert to Islam. At least two of the guys over the last 8 months have converted from Christianity.
Aftercare- Our group is studying the Alpha course. Alpha is a dvd course on the fundamentals of Christianity. I have added a new category to track phone calls. When working wtih guys who have been released from prison, I find it is important to stay in contact throughout the week by phone.
Terri Lindell's Field Report
With the economy the topic of conversation almost daily, and this or that company laying off hundreds of people all the time; we as a ministry could become discouraged and despondent.
I handle the finances for Prison Outreach, that is, I keep a ledger of all monies that come in every month, or every quarter. Monday is the deposit day. In 22 years of being Office Manager for Prison Outreach, I have always had a deposit to make. I thank and praise God for the faithful giving of sponsors like you that keep this ministry afloat. We cannot out-give the Lord.
The Lord said that He would even use the birds to bring in what we need. I trust the Lord to do just that.
Thank you again for your willingness to be used of God financially and definitely through your prayers. God is good all the time and all the time
God is good.
Please continue to hold this ministry up in your prayers and financial support.
Thank you and God bless you.
I handle the finances for Prison Outreach, that is, I keep a ledger of all monies that come in every month, or every quarter. Monday is the deposit day. In 22 years of being Office Manager for Prison Outreach, I have always had a deposit to make. I thank and praise God for the faithful giving of sponsors like you that keep this ministry afloat. We cannot out-give the Lord.
The Lord said that He would even use the birds to bring in what we need. I trust the Lord to do just that.
Thank you again for your willingness to be used of God financially and definitely through your prayers. God is good all the time and all the time
God is good.
Please continue to hold this ministry up in your prayers and financial support.
Thank you and God bless you.
Cathy Joulwan's Field Report
It is a joy to be a part of Prison Outreach of Delaware and watch the Lord at work on so many levels in each one of our lives! It is a joy to see the men growing and taking positive steps to live for the Lord and to honor God in their walk with Him.
Many of you may remember my hubby, "Chaplain Charlie" who served as prison chaplain at Gander Hill for over 31 years. I am still in touch with many of the men he has worked with I continually witness how far they have come over the years and it blesses me beyond words.
I hope you had a chance to check out David Berry's powerful testimony on our home page. I know God has amazing things in store for David and I can't wait to see what doors He will open next in David's life!
Your continued prayers and support of this ministry are so important as our chaplains minister to those lost and forgotten behind the bars. Thank you for everything!
Life is very busy for me right now. My mom is struggling through the final stages of COPD. She is still able (thank the Lord) to live on her own, but I have to be there several times a day to help her with things. It has certainly proven to be a challenge, but I know in my heart that the task before me is never as great as the Power behind me!
In my "spare" time, I'm thrilled to be serving with Suvartha Ministries. Suvartha means "Good News" in India. I have been involved with them since they began in May of 2005. My old high school teacher (Mrs. Elizabeth George) from Elkton Christian School, and her husband founded this ministry. They reach out to the lost in India. One of the main ways they do that is through Salem Children's Home, an orphanage they founded. In June of 2009 we were blessed to be able to go over and meet all 21 boys (for me it was the first time). We spent most of the month of June there. Needless to say, there are 21 pieces of my heart still in Kerala, India!
This past June of 2010 we were blessed to return to the Boys Home. They had never had a birthday party before, so we stuffed our luggage full of party supplies and little gifts. We decorated their dorm while they were in school and surprised them when they came home with cake, ice cream and individualized gift bags for each child (see pictures below). They weren't sure what to do at first, but it didn't take them long to catch on! Please keep us in your prayers as we try to be God's love extended to those in India. Thank you! Besides the orphanage, we will once again be visiting a local leper colony as well. The boys visit there once a month or so and sing songs and pass out tracts. The boys are being taught that there are folks less fortunate than they are, and to reach out to those who are hurting. This experience has changed my life and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Many of you may remember my hubby, "Chaplain Charlie" who served as prison chaplain at Gander Hill for over 31 years. I am still in touch with many of the men he has worked with I continually witness how far they have come over the years and it blesses me beyond words.
I hope you had a chance to check out David Berry's powerful testimony on our home page. I know God has amazing things in store for David and I can't wait to see what doors He will open next in David's life!
Your continued prayers and support of this ministry are so important as our chaplains minister to those lost and forgotten behind the bars. Thank you for everything!
Life is very busy for me right now. My mom is struggling through the final stages of COPD. She is still able (thank the Lord) to live on her own, but I have to be there several times a day to help her with things. It has certainly proven to be a challenge, but I know in my heart that the task before me is never as great as the Power behind me!
In my "spare" time, I'm thrilled to be serving with Suvartha Ministries. Suvartha means "Good News" in India. I have been involved with them since they began in May of 2005. My old high school teacher (Mrs. Elizabeth George) from Elkton Christian School, and her husband founded this ministry. They reach out to the lost in India. One of the main ways they do that is through Salem Children's Home, an orphanage they founded. In June of 2009 we were blessed to be able to go over and meet all 21 boys (for me it was the first time). We spent most of the month of June there. Needless to say, there are 21 pieces of my heart still in Kerala, India!
This past June of 2010 we were blessed to return to the Boys Home. They had never had a birthday party before, so we stuffed our luggage full of party supplies and little gifts. We decorated their dorm while they were in school and surprised them when they came home with cake, ice cream and individualized gift bags for each child (see pictures below). They weren't sure what to do at first, but it didn't take them long to catch on! Please keep us in your prayers as we try to be God's love extended to those in India. Thank you! Besides the orphanage, we will once again be visiting a local leper colony as well. The boys visit there once a month or so and sing songs and pass out tracts. The boys are being taught that there are folks less fortunate than they are, and to reach out to those who are hurting. This experience has changed my life and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Finger-lickin' good!
What a joy to watch the boys open their gifts, eat the goodies, and enjoy their very first birthday party ever!
WE WERE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO THE BOYS THIS YEAR!
We totally underestimated how much they would appreciate the new books!
This is Binu (pictured above) passing out tracts at the leper colony. Binu graduated high school, attended India Bible College, and is now working in the mission field. We are so proud of him!
We were blessed to be able to give the leper colony some much needed supplies.
This is Maria. She lost her nose and eyesight due to leprosy.
A leper reading a salvation tract in his language (Malayalam).
Our boys having morning prayers before going to breakfast and school.
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