Mission

• Provide inmates with spiritual guidance and support

• Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Encourage the inmate to grow in Christ

• Help bridge the gap between the inmate and their family and a local church

• To assist and help in practical ways, to encourage and help our graduates in a positive spiritual journey with Jesus Christ

“...and now I know: For by grace you are saved by ‘faith’. All of us!” – Cass County Inmate

Peace Officer / Jail Chaplains AssociationP.O. Box 6444Fargo, ND 58109

Address Service Requested

JAIL CHAPLAINS • P.O. BOX 6444 FARGO, ND 58109 • WWW.POJCA.ORG • POJCA@CABLEONE.NET

MAY 2011

The second chance that makes all the

difference in a life!

JAIL CHAPLAINS • P.O. BOX 6444 FARGO, ND 58109 • WWW.POJCA.ORG • POJCA@CABLEONE.NET

Inside this Issue:Moni’s Story

Margarito’s StoryVolunteer News

Sgt. Ben SchwandtMatching Gift Opportunities

Ministry Update

“I surrender all to you, Lord” was the heart’s cry from a Muslim’s broken heart...”and in a moment He met me”.

Moni was born in Bosnia amidst war and fear. As a 2-year-old his parents brought him to America and Fargo. He shares that he started stealing at 12 years old and got hooked on having large amounts of money. Shortly after came drugs. Both of his sisters had left home and knew Jesus but he had made the choice to walk a double life; the street for excitement and attend church for his family. Growing up he had been told he was a Muslim because that was what he was born into and the law.

He says at 15 drugs controlled his life and he took advantage of his parent’s weak parenting skills and did whatever he wanted to. He had been involved in the juvenile services program for seven years. He met a girl and they did drugs for two years and were not interested in God.

At 19, he was in jail for burglary and found that his girlfriend was long gone. While in the Cass County Jail he picked up a Bible and started reading it. “In a moment he met me!” He cried out and begged God to take control of his life and forgive him. He said “I surrender all of my life to you, Lord Jesus”. He began to see he was changing right there in the jail. There were no questions anymore. Jesus was the answer he needed.

He was transferred to the main pod and started attending programs with Chaplain Mike. Every question in his heart was addressed before he could even ask. There is joy in his heart and things don’t weigh on him, not even the possibility of being deported, only the answer to the ultimate question: Where will you go if you die? It used to be hell, but now he knows assuredly it is heaven! “My struggle was really spiritual, not the crimes I committed”.

God has brought Moni to the truth of Jesus Christ. He was fearful to reveal that to his father, but his father told him he was just happy Moni was going to church. Moni continues to pray for his parents to find Jesus. His heart breaks and tears come easily for those that are lost.

Moni stands on Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. He senses the plan of God in his heart and knows God doesn’t make bad things happen, he allows things to happen and is in control.

In Loving Memory of...The following individuals made memorial donations to the Jail Chaplains in loving remembrance of... Lucy Dahl – Given by Don & Ben Hurner Phyllis Beckett – Given by Don & Ben HurnerHarold Anderson – Given by Don & Bev Hurner Clara Kragness – Given by Don & Bev HurnerLeone Jereszek – Given by Don & Bev Hurner Joe Frankhauser – Given by Bob & Marlys Bohn

Board of DirectorsPastor Curt Frankhauser, Executive DirectorRuss Tweiten, ChairmanLeonard Sliwoski, TreasurerGary Manske, SecretaryMark Brakel, Board MemberNancy Schafer, Board Member

“Restoring lives to the community with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ”

In Celebration and Thanksgiving of...To honor special individuals, the following gifts were sent to the Jail Chaplains...

Roy & Marie Tweeten60th Wedding AnniversaryGiven by Don & Ben Hurner

Chaplain Day SponsorMarion Miller – 1/2 Day Sponsor

JAIL CHAPLAINS • P.O. BOX 6444 FARGO, ND 58109 • WWW.POJCA.ORG • POJCA@CABLEONE.NET

MAY 2011

JAIL CHAPLAINS • P.O. BOX 6444 FARGO, ND 58109 • WWW.POJCA.ORG • POJCA@CABLEONE.NET

“Restoring lives to the community with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ”“Restoring lives to the community with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ”

My mother’s voice just kept coming back... “you can’t do it on your own, son.”I was raised in a single family home of six kids. My mother brought us here to North Dakota to escape the gang and drug influences in California that I had gotten involved with. It worked for a while, I married and had two children, but the bad choices I made in the past were again part of my life. I went to prison, three different times, and came out the same each time. I was determined to do life myself. My mother had tried to get me to see that Jesus was the one to depend on and that the Bible had the answers. I just wasn’t heartfelt about the things of God.

The fourth time I went to prison I lost it all; wife, children and hope. I broke down. I was told that I was going to solitary for one year. I began to hear my mother’s voice saying “you can’t do it on your own”. A book cart was available and I took a Bible and opened it. Since I was in solitary there were no programs, no people, only God. I read the Bible with an open heart and hunger.

Right there in solitary I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and cried out for forgiveness. Amazingly, I found that I wasn’t supposed to be in solitary, but was required to finish my sentence there.

I was then placed in the enemy’s backyard and prayed for a Christian roommate. God answered! I walked into my cell and found my roommate with a Bible. We helped each other, listened to Christian radio and God began making changes. I now knew that there was power in the Word and that if I drew near to Him, He would draw near to me. I began spreading the Gospel to the whole block.

Being placed among a larger group brought the challenge of walking for God. I took inventory of where I was and chose to change. God has shown me that there is a greater purpose in everything. These amazing programs through the Jail Chaplains bring real growth and are crucial to me and everyone here in the Cass County Jail. It is hard being in jail, but it is also awesome here in the jail. I stand on Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows”.

Ten years ago I met Chaplain Mike, in fact, when in jail. I see big changes today with lots more programs. My first priority is God and church. I never imagined that I would be able to glorify God and share what He has done in my life.* Please pray for Margarito as he may be released soon and desires to walk in God’s direction and plan.

Volunteer NewsThe Jail Chaplains welcome Pastor Darrel Lindensmith, a Licensed Counselor as a volunteer in the Celebrate Recovery Program.

Many thanks as we say farewell to Brother Michael who is moving to a new assignment from the area, Shirley Swenson as she takes a break to minister to her mother, and Sandy Bailey who is dealing with health concerns. Your quick smile and servant hearts will be missed by all and you have made a difference!

We have such a wonderful dedicated group of volunteers that commit to sharing Jesus Christ through the programs of the Jail Chaplains. There is also a team of volunteers that give their time and talent to helping each of the projects we pursue become wonderful successes. Thanks and blessings to you all!

You are invited to join us as we share God’s work through the Jail Chaplains. We are in need of folks that would want to assist with the Year End Event and Silent Auction, website and IT expertise. Please contact Debbie at 793-6864. If you have a passion for mentoring inmates transitioning into the community, please contact Chaplain Mike at 200-0560.

Greetings Friends!As you can see by the pictures we have had a wonderful time in our community this winter and spring! Indeed, we are bursting forth and sharing what God is doing in the jail and He is being faithful.

February – We were honored to have a ribbon cutting at the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate 32 years serving our community inside the Cass County Jail.

March – Blessed Sacrament’s Youth Group presented Jail Chaplains with the proceeds of their candy sales. We had taken this youth group in for an evening visit to the jail and their enthusiasm resulted in choosing us as their recipient of a donation of over $800 from their candy sales. What a wonderful group of young people with hearts for God!

– The Pizza Ranch fundraiser was a tremendous success and such a great time to connect with you, our donors. Jail Chaplains’ board had a great time busing tables and the 10:00 PM news even picked up the fun we were having.

It was one of the best for Pizza Ranch with a donation of over $400. Thanks to Dean Larson at Pizza Ranch!

– The Flood saw us all coming together as a community praying and serving the needs. This gave a special opportunity for those serving time in the Cass County Jail to give back. Inmates filled sandbags and more than

a few in our community noticed and appreciated the help and heart. I think they enjoyed the coffee too!

April – Dr. Ryan Schroeder, owner of United Health Chiropractic & Wellness did a special fundraiser in his office the first complete week of the month. For each new client he gained he donated $25 and shared the ministry with them. Over $700 was raised and some of his clients even gave to the ministry and became partners! Blessings Ryan! – We had a booth at Business After Hours with the Chamber of Commerce and wore orange to help bring home our mission of “restoring lives to the community with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ”. – The FM Leadership Team from the Chamber of Commerce presented us with a wonderful video and PowerPoint as well as their expertise in a presentation. Thanks so much to this team! This helps us tell our story and break the bounds of being the ‘best kept secret’ in Fargo.

May – Jail Chaplains hosted two luncheons that were open to the public and shared the heart of God through testimonies that were heard. You, too, can come inside the Cass County Jail to see and hear for yourself. Join us Thursday, July 14th from 11:45 - 1:00 PM. Call Debbie for a reservation (see invitation in this publication). You may host a private luncheon as well.

Blessings and many thanks for partnering with us as we rejoice over what God is doing. There is truly revival breaking out within the walls of the Jail as inmates are continuing to have their own prayer groups! Join us for lunch and hear the testimonies. We are always open to opportunities to come to your church and share what God is doing too. – Debbie Trombley, Development Director