Outside looking in

Donna & Blaine Nelson | Friends of Freedom

We recently got feedback from a brother in Christ who joined me in bringing HOPE to some men in Thurston County Jail. Here is what he has to say....

"Hi, my name is Blaine Nelson and over the years I have been involved in sharing the Gospel and meals at the Norfolk Rescue Mission along with Kelly Joe Maxson. We've also done ministry at the Wayne Juvenile Detention Center when it was in Wayne, NE. This February I had the opportunity to visit the Thurston County Jail and tag along with David.

I want you to consider supporting this critical, effective, and such important ministry touching lives that are generally forgotten! David, because of his life experiences, is able to relate to so many of these men in a unique and very tangible way, encouraging them to surrender to Christ and find new life in Him! It is exciting to see the encouragement and hope from these men who thought there was little or no hope for themselves or their families.

Recently, while reading the book of Philemon, I was reminded of God's RESTORING work. Onesimus, a runaway servant that had stolen from his master, Philemon, had been on the run and encourntered Paul in Rome. Through Paul's ministry had come to faith in Christ. Onisemus returned to Philemon with a letter from Paul encouraging Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother, not as a slave. Paul also assumed Onesimus' debt in full, serving as a vivid picture of the truth of Galatians 3:28: "that in Christ there is neither bond or free."

Many times I'm personally reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 25:34-36 "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For when I was hungered and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me, I was in prison and ye came unto me." I really can't think of much richer soil to sow your seed into than a ministry like EPiC Ministry. Thank you David & Diana for reaching these people through this ministry and your humility in always giving God the glory for saving the lost souls that are often forgotten.

-Blaine Nelson, Wakefield NE