Game Two

The Carolina Saints made a return trip to Columbia, SC, -- this time to play and minister at the Manning Correctional Center.

This was the first trip "inside" for these Saints as the opening game was actually played outside the prison. The team had a to go through a full security check and several players had to make trips back to the car to remove any "contraband" from their bags.

Once inside, we played a pair of five inning games in sweltering heat. Unfortunately, The Saints lost both games of the double header, 6-3 and 13-8. Between games the team had the opportunity to share with about 30 inmates. Steve Ponath shared his testimony and Jim Korth gave the gospel presentation. The results: Three men indicated they had taken the step of receiving Christ as Savior! Seven more shared their desire to recommit their lives to Christ. Two shared that they were not ready to make a decision, but wanted more information.

A few of the inmates mentioned that they are already receiving mail from the Saints and they were happy to see us and to know we would have the opportunity to get into the facility to share with them more consistently.

The staff at Manning was very gracious, encouraging the players and thanking them for their service. We look forward to getting back there... next time we'll bring along some of our bigger bats!

On another note: Four different churches were represented by The Saints on Saturday. We look forward to this opening doors to share more about our ministry with people around Charlotte.

What's in a Name?

Shakespeare wrote, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The great bard was expressing the idea that what matters is what something is, not what something is called. However, we also know that what a person is called can have a great impact on how that person views himself.

When Jacob’s wife, Rachel, was giving birth to their second born son, complications arose. It became evident that her life was ebbing away, even as the newborn was taking his first breath. As a result, she proposed to call the child by the name “Ben-Oni,” which means “son of my sorrow.” His father, however, chose to give him a different name, Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand” or “son of my strength.”

Think of the difference this made in this young man’s life. Whenever his name was called, instead of being reminded that his birth brought the sorrow of his mother’s passing, he was reminded that his father considered him his “right hand man.”

As we take the good news of Christ to the prison population, we are letting these men and women know that they don’t have to live under the name of “convict” or “offender” or “criminal.” Once adopted into God’s family they can bear the name “child of God.” They don’t have to live down to the names they may have been called in the past, but they can live up to the new name they have in Christ! This can change the way a prisoner views himself. Come to think of it—this can change the way we look at ourselves, too.

Opening Day!

The Carolina Branch of the Saints Prison Ministry held its first game on Saturday, May 17. The game was played with the Shock Unit at Stevenson Correctional in Columbia S.C.

The Saints were represented by Phillip Little, Shane Rimmer, Jim Korth, Barney Megargee, Josh Korth, Steve Ponath, Nathan Stewart, Todd Smith, and Samuel Donahue.

After three quick innings the game was tied at one, then The Saints broke out and went on to about an 18-5 victory.

Following the game, the Saints had the opportunity to share with about 120 young men from the unit. Barney Megargee shared is personal faith story, and Jim Korth presented the gospel. Twenty-two men indicated a decision to follow Christ, and five more indicated they weren't ready now, but wanted more information about the Christian faith.

Another 70 men indicated they were believers and wanted to recommit their lives to Christ. Dozens shared personal prayer requests.

It was a great start for The Saints in the Carolinas and we look forward to sharing more great results in the future for the glory of God!

A Growing Mission Field

6,000 INMATES OVER CAPACITY BY 2017?

N.C. prison crunch predicted

State may face tough choice: Cut sentences or expand the system

DAN KANE
(Raleigh) News & Observer

RALEIGH --Unless state lawmakers agree to trim sentences, they will face spending tens of millions of dollars to expand North Carolina's prison system, population projections show.

Evenwith two expansion projects approved last year, the system's capacity will be exceeded this year. By 2017, the state's prisons will not have a place for more than 6,000 inmates, or 13 percent of the projected prison population.

"If we don't get around 800 or so (additional) beds authorized a year, we'll run out of space if the projections are accurate -- and they have been in the past," said Boyd Bennett, state prisons director.

Overcrowded prisons have a domino effect: Prisoners awaiting transfers from county jails may be held there until space opens up at a state prison.

The N.C. Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission produces the projections every year. So far, lawmakers largely have dealt with them by spending on bricks and mortar. A booming state population -- and more criminal penalties added to the books -- have added to the space crunch.

Susan Katzenelson, the commission's executive director, said the latest projections show prison population growth has slowed slightly, but not enough to save the state from a hefty construction bill.

Bennett said the department's latest 10-year capital plan includes several expansions plus a new 1,000-bed medium-custody prison.

The commission has suggested tweaking sentencing laws to shorten some prison terms, but lawmakers have balked at that.

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A Greater Task

On Sunday Pastor Todd Hahn (Next Level Church) shared that men have a deep desire to "be a part of something greater than themselves." And what could be better than being a part of God's great "rescue mission."

This rescue mission involves REACHING people, RECONCILING them to God through Christ, and RENEWING the image of God in them.

This is exactly the mission of The Saints Prison Ministry and the reason why the men and women who get involved in this work find it to be so rewarding.

February Report

Our first Carolina Saints information meeting took place on Saturday, January 26th at the Matthews Campus of Next Level Church. Though many who wished to attend were unable to make it, those who were there made it a fruitful meeting.

Those in attendance showed enthusiasm for the ministry and have already started to spread the word about The Saints. We will be planning another gather in late February and target games about once a month beginning in April.

In the coming weeks we will be getting in touch with the current softball players for the church and see who may be interested in taking their game to the next level of outreach.

Information and Recruitment Meeting Scheduled

The Carolina Branch of The Saints Prison Ministry has scheduled an informational breakfast for Saturday, January 26th at 8:30 am. The meeting is planned to provide interested Christian Athletes with information about the ministry and its plans for the Carolinas.

The meeting will be held at the Matthews Campus of Next Level Church, 4317 Stevens Mill Rd in Matthews, NC. Breakfast will be served and there is no cost obligation.

Directions to Next Level Church:

From Mint Hill take Idlewild Rd. to Steven's Mile Rd. and turn right. The Church is about two miles down on the right.

From Indian Trail take Idlewild Rd. to Stevens Mill and turn left. The church is about two miles down on the right.

From Rte. 74 - heading East - Turn left on Stallings Rd., follow to Steven's Mill and turn right. The church will be on the left side.

From rte. 74 heading West - Turn right on Stallings Rd., follow to Steven's Mil and turn right. he church will be on the left.