Serving Others

Click here to join us!

RSVP HERE for our first annual Walk for Water on December 3 at 9am.

An inspiring guest blog post from Elaine Leander on her journey serving with ServeLocal partner Changed Choices.

GOD’S LEADING INTO MINISTRY THROUGH CHANGED CHOICES

Keep asking, and it will be given to you.  Keep searching, and you will find.  Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (HCSB)

Approximately one year ago after being prompted by Walt Wiley in a Saturday night Catalyst class at CAC to consider where I was to be casting seed out in the world (we studied the Parable of the Sower), it hit me like a brick that I was no longer in the “world.”  I was associating only with other believers at church, in Bible studies, prayer groups, book club, socially …

When our kids were in the public schools, I spent lots of time rubbing shoulders and sharing life with families from all different spiritual backgrounds through school sports and activities.  Our youngest child had recently graduated from high school, we were ‘empty-nesters’ and not in those same circles anymore.

I began praying that the Lord would lead me to a place where I could serve Him among unbelievers.  Long story short … I was very drawn to work with women inmates and God repeatedly brought circumstances/events to my attention that were relevant to ministering in prisons.  Each time I heard about ministry with prisoners, my heart leapt within me.

Our daughter had worked with prisoners while she was overseas and shared my passion … I told her I’d check into opportunities for the both of us and quickly called Norma Ricci, whom I knew was involved in a ministry called Changed Choices.

Shortly following the phone call to her, Norma arranged for Ruth Snyder, the founder and director of Changed Choices, to meet myself and some other interested women at her house over dinner.  The amazing ministry is very multi-faceted in reaching and helping incarcerated women, but what excited me most was the Chaplain’s Aide position.  This is where I knew the Lord would have me serve!

After applications, background checks and lots of training, this past March I finally received my badge to enter Mecklenburg County Jail Central.  I began by ministering with a Changed Choices veteran and friend who was mentoring me in meeting with inmates for ‘spiritual talks.’  Most of the women we met with were interested in the Changed Choices program … we asked questions, answered questions, shared scripture and prayed and cried with them.

While reflecting on these ‘talks,’ I began to see a common thread … these ladies, most of them mothers, were broken-hearted over their children from whom they were separated.  Having been in Moms in Touch (MITI) for almost 20 years and having heard about a Moms in Touch prison program, I felt a strong tug on my heart to see if we could get one started at the jail!

The national MITI Prison Ministry Facilitator was more than happy to send me information for the Chaplain and myself.  I gave the one packet to Chaplain Pittman and she was instantly very interested.  She wanted to know how to go about getting someone to do this.  I laughed and said, “I can do it, I’m trained!!”  Then she pulled up her calendar on the computer and scheduled me for a ‘class.’

For about 6 weeks I had been meeting with moms in Pod 4900 at the jail to pray for their children.  We all know God’s presence is in that room with us, He is hearing their cries for their precious ones as they ‘pour out their hearts like water for the lives of their children.’ (Lamentations 2:19)  Each session has been so powerful and exhilarating!

The Chaplain recently asked if I’d consider providing MITI for Pods 4700 and 4500 so more moms would have the opportunity to bring their children before the Throne of Grace.  The second group is beginning this last week of October and the third hopefully in November!!

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:8 (HCSB) 

He who is able … did above and beyond what I could ask or think!!
(Ephesians 3:20)