08/11/09
Mike,
The ministry's visit to the Buena Vista Correctional Facility, CO on June 24th was very successful from our perspective. Although your softball team was 'far' superior to ours, your players/ministry team were humble and seemed gratified at the opportunity to play softball and share their ministry. This left a positive impression with the offenders and staff. Please accept our invitation to come back next year. (I won't be here next year, and although you will be contacting Faith & Citizens for a return visit, your contact here will be Lt. Amy Morrison. She attended the game and is my replacement.)
Thank you for including Buena Vista on your schedule this year.
Sincerely,
Lt. Barbara Holmes, BVCC Volunteer Coordinator
07/06/09
Mike,
I am glad to hear all went well with your trip and your mission. The reports received back from the facilities have all been positive, and we will look forward to next year.
Thank you again for bringing your program to the Colorado DOC.
Dan Wilde
Region 1 Faith & Citizens Volunteer Coordinator
May 11, 2009
Kirby,
Great to hear from you!
Most days are good ones, but all are from God.
I speak to the guys out at Harp quite often though I have been on the yard only once since I left. Joe Spears is doing a WONDERFUL job so its very comforting to know God is watching over the yard and men in such a caring manner. John has had some adjusting issues that almost got him shipped, but Joe spoke up for him and he is getting to remain on the yard.
As TSR prepares to go to a new facility I would encourage to always remember that you go with a calling and anointing from God. It is a very unusual ministry that touches men that truly might not be reached through any other media. Now I know that that does not necessarily make all the doors just swing open, but looking back over my experiences with jails and prisons sometimes the struggles getting in lead to the most rewarding times.
Thanks for thinking about me!
Be blessed in all that your hands find to do.
Ron Grant (Former Chaplain at Joseph Harp Correctional Center, Lexington, OK)
07/2008
Dear Texas Sports Reach,
Thank you so very much for your generous gifts to us here at the Abbey. Our future guests at the lodge will enjoy the fans and pillows for many years to come.
We are thankful to have played a small part in your ministry efforts in our area. I was so burdened to pray for you all while you were here - especially that you would be able to see lives changed. Thank you for letting me know how God worked.
Keep on keeping on,
Laura, Paula & The Holy Cross Abbey Staff
Canon City, CO
Hi Ray (Texas Sports Reach),
So this should be quite the surprise! I came across a letter from you and felt compelled to write. I want to tell you about an amazing change that has happened. I found something in life that I use to envy you for...JOY! I now try to live a totally committed life to God. I found myself desiring a more intimate relationship with Jesus. As I obeyed His word, He illuminated it and made Himself more real to me than I could have ever imagined. The joy, the peace, the love is just incredible! I read His word daily, pray daily, and am involved in the church here. But not because I should do these things, but because I love God and I want to know Him better! Ray, you and those at TSR are all instrumental in that. So often you don't see the results of your love for us. But I'm here to tell you that your love, your concern, your ministry has a huge effect! I pray that all is well with you and your family! I truly look forward to the day when we worship God together in paradise! Please know that you, your family and all those at TSR are in my prayers. May this season find you filled with His love , joy and peace!
In His love and mine,
Mike Freeman
(Inmate @ Bent County Correctional Facility - Colorado)
11/02/07
Jason (East Texas Sports Reach),
How are you doing at this present day & time? Hopefully blessed and yes I received your letter too and I wanted to let you know how thankful I was of you for returning a letter to me and I’m really thankful how encouraging the letter was too. I can honestly say now when I hear people saying that they have a “Brother in Christ” I can honestly say that I really have one in you. In this short period of time after meeting you and corresponding with you I want to let you know through the Grace of God you’ve made a positive effect on my life and the way I view my everyday struggles. Jason you may have thought in that one day that you and the other Brothers who came down here to play us and to share the word with us wouldn’t make a major impact. But I have to tell you something, it says “Faith” comes by “Hearing” right. Well for starters a couple of the Brothers that participated and I have used the same approach here and now as we speak the Good you all put in the cup, comes back out full circle. We are running almost an identical 3 on 3 tournaments with a devotional session in everything. We are calling it a Unity tournament. We presented it to Major Barbosa and he told us we can do it and we have first, second, & third place ribbon. We have a total of ten teams and you know something else I did I took a step not to play but to participate in refereeing and speaking and thanks to your encouraging letter I can say that some steps I’ve made through the help of God, I’m really shocked at myself. But there is no “I” in “We” so if I may ask you could you please pray for us in what we are trying to do. We speak about yall on a regular but I already told myself if I was to get released any time sooner I would be happy to volunteer in what you all are doing out there. It’s a mental, physical, and a spiritual fight to do good but its so easy to join the bad so you know I have to swallow my pride. You remember you posed a question to me asking “Am I leading people to a positive way now? And, “Who will I choose to please… God or Man? Well I choose to please God at all times because what I have struggle with inside lately has started to make me feel like I’m glowing outside now. But through prayers and seeking for the right understanding has let me know now is the time and failure is not an option. Say Bro’ I thank you once again and I pray in the future that Sports Reach accomplish all the goals that you all have set. I will keep you informed on whats happening around here and hopefully you keep in touch too. In God We Trust.
Bro’ In Christ,
Dederick Tubbs
(Coffield Unit)
10/08/07
For several years I had been praying and searching for some way to become involved with some form of ministry. I am not a church member anywhere and I don't attend church on a scheduled basis, but I am a believer and I feel strongly about spreading God's word. God worked through sports reach to get me involved. When I was first approached about playing basketball in prison I thought it was crazy, but God works in mysterious ways, right! I recently went on my first trip with sports reach, it was a moving and an unforgettable experience. It is amazing how God works through sports and a few guys who like to hoop to give men in prison hope, forgiveness, and peace. You go in thinking it is going to be all about basketball and competition, (Don't get me wrong, we played a ton of basketball!!!!) once you are in and you get started it is clear God has given you and your group a greater purpose. It was incredible how the atmosphere was so peaceful and everyone was so receptive and respectful both ways to just listen to one another, considering we were in a gym in a maximum security prison full of so much violence (If you think God wasn't working in there, me and you need to talk.) Anyone I play basketball with from now on who I think might be interested in this type of challenge and opportunity I definitely will ask them about participation.
I want to say thanks to Eddie, Rob, Derek, and Don for you guys help with getting me involved.
First Baptist Men's Basketball League Particpant
Josh Recer
06/02/07
This was the first time I've had a chance to go on one of the prison ministry trips to play softball. It was a unique experience and one that I definitely enjoyed and would love to do more often. It was a humbling experience. I realized that the guys we played against weren't a whole lot different from us.
Being around those guys made me remember several of the seemingly hopeless situations I had been through in my life. It made me want to share with them that there is always hope if, and only if, you're savior is Jesus Christ.
It was very apparent that the guys were happy that we came. I think the Holy Spirit convicted hearts while we were there. Christ calls us to go out unto all the world and I believe these prison trips are an example of what Christ meant. It's a place that you're out of your comfort zone and a place where we as Christians can make a huge impact.
I look forward to more of these opportunities to go out and share Christ with people who need to hear and see his message the most.
Matt Jones
06/26/06
Once again, THANK YOU for taking time from your families and jobs to spread the word of Christ. It is always a pleasure to be around such dedicated disciples. As a Christian, it humbles me to see your dedication to God, and rekindles the fire of love of Jesus within my own heart each time I am around you. Know that you are loved.
Your brother in Christ,
Bearpaw (1 Cor. 16:14)
Lt. Dan Blackwell
06/17/06
This past Saturday, Sports Reach (South) was at Cleveland (Correctional Facility), TX. My son is in that prison. My dad and I went to visit him around 1:00pm on Saturday. He was so thrilled about everyone being there. He would have been on the 3rd team if the rain did not stop the games. I would like to thank your organization for going into prisons. This is a unique ministry and I am glad you are willing to do this. My son, Thomas Adams, did say a couple of men gave testimonies. Please lift up my son, he will be out June 2007. God bless your ministry.
Betty Adams
Ray,
I hope you and the team are well. Please tell Jim hello. The two of you have made a significant difference in my life. I'm a new person since June 24th when I talked with the two of you. Thank you for saving me and opening the door to Jesus !! I'm so happy and calm now. I actually feel like I'm somebody now, instead of an addict and all alone. Now I have many Christian friends and devote time daily wth God. Thank you. Could you please get some bible study courses sent to me, or any other material that you might have to increase my spiritual knowledge.
Jim will remember me by the three hawks - Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Thank you and God Bless
Kenneth
Four Mile Correctional Center
Canon City, CO
I want you to know that it was truly a blessing to meet you. I told my Mom the other day how ya'll came in here and touched my heart.
Tell everybody I say thanks for coming and that they touch a lot of people. The prison is still talking about how you guys came in here and touched people. I come from a hard background but managed to escape from the hard life through sports. Then I got sidetracked by the fast money.
I attended Grambling State on a football scholarship but dropped out of school in 1995. By 1999 I had been stabbed and shot twice. The feds came to get me in 2000. I felt bad for my family but was relieved that I was through with that lifestyle. I thank God for you because you came into my life and lifted my spirits when I thought nobody cared. I am not a bad person, I just made a bad decision to sell drugs looking for the easy way out. But God tells us to work with our hands and that is good.
I am still learning and growing daily. With my second chance life I will make the most of it. I hope that ya'll come back real soon. Tell Ray I said thanks for his testimony. I tell everybody that if Ray can do it so can I. Remember to pray for me and I will do the same.
Thanks for everything,
Leon
Federal Correctional Institute
Oakdale, LA
Sept. 20, 2004
From: Lt. Dan Blackwell, CTCF Recreation
Additional Letter From Dan
Gentlemen,
It was such a pleasure to host your team again here at Territorial Correctional Facility in Canon City, CO. You are all great men, and I applaud your efforts in spreading the gospel of Christ. I had hoped to have a gift for you upon your arrival ... but things in prison require a signature by EVERYONE and lots of time to get anything done.
Please accept this as a token of our appreciation and a reminder of your visit to Colorado. I had an inmate airbrush the design on the logo. We are looking forward to your visit next summer.
Yours in Christ,
Bearpaw
Date: 11-12-02
To: Texas Sports Reach
From: Cleveland Correctional Center
Subject: Softball
In November 2002, Texas Sports Reach participated in a Softball Tournament with the Cleveland Correctional Center offenders. These men exhibited qualities deserving recognition and praise. They were professional yet compassionate, competitive yet humble, and presented strong Christian values and morals. The testimonies presented uplifted the offenders who observed & participated.
I strongly recommend this group to anyone interested in this type of activity. They will be welcome when they choose to return to the Cleveland unit. Thank you for being men of action and faith.
Thanks,
Quinn Jones (Recreation Specialist)