Restoration Prison Ministry: July2025 Newsletter
July-2025
Dear Ministry Partners,
As much as I want to talk about the ministry, I must reflect and honor all those who have sacrificed everything to help this flood-ravaged area called Kerr County.
I live 15 minutes from the Guadelupe River that came out of its banks, cresting over 30 feet above normal.
I have witnessed, firsthand, the destruction with my own eyes, and the only way I can describe what I have seen from bridges and beyond, is that it looks like an atomic bomb went off.
Most everyone who reads this letter already knows about the devastation of Central Texas. I will not repeat what you have seen on the national news.
Driving through Kerrville today, there are still many rescue and recovery helicopters flying low to the riverbanks. Many recovery boats, cadaver dogs, men and women on horseback, and all the forestry department workers, sheriff departments, and all nationwide authorities giving helping hands, are here.
Staged at the local high school, TIVY Highschool, I also see the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham’s Ministry, and so many more, offering help in every way possible to the families and friends who suffer with the catastrophic losses of life that directly affect them.
It may take years to recover the riverbanks that lost almost every huge tree, and anything and everything in flood waters’ monstrous path.
It may take a lifetime for those who grieve to even comprehend this loss.
It will stay with me forever.
I travel through Kerrville daily for work and errands, and it will never be the same in my heart.
Motorhomes, fifth-wheel trailers, cars and tents, all gone from their spaces overlooking the once serene river in the middle of the early morning hours of July Fourth. The 30-foot rise in the water, that rose that far in 45 minutes, killing over 119 people (to date), and over 160 still missing, that the officials know of.
Washed them away with people inside.
I honor all who are here, locally and around this nation who love, with the love of our Lord Jesus.
All the FEMA people along with County, State and local officials, all doing what they can to aid in this recovery attempt.
Not to mention the hundreds, if not thousands of volunteers who have arrived to help.
I honor all of them, and say, “Lord Jesus thank YOU and continue to help all those who suffer greatly.”
They are still trying to find more victims.
Yes, victims.
It has been six days since this July Fourth disaster. I saw on the local news that a 9-month-old baby was found among the dead this morning.
I can’t put it into words, nor can anyone who lives here understand why this happened.
It would be detrimental to quote scriptures, though I could, and it would be disrespectful to those who suffer to say anything except “pray” for them.
We are, and many of the people I know personally here, in the Kerr County area are praying for peace during this storm.
Though campsites can be rebuilt, and trees planted, and homes replaced perhaps, nothing will replace the joys of life, now replaced with sorrows and pains of those who have lost the ones they love.
Many vacancies in the homes and hearts of those who only have memories now.
The only scripture reference I can quote is Psalm 147: 3, “I have come to heal the brokenhearted, and bind up their wounds.”
“Lord, please, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, heal, restore and revive those who hurt today. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Prison Ministry
Sunday, July 6th, I ministered in Hondo, Texas, 55 miles from home at the Joe Ney Unit of the Texas Prison System. There were around 30 men in attendance, and I did a belated “Father’s Day” message that the Lord had on my heart for this Sunday morning.
Several men received Christ as their Savior, and many hearts of men who had been living in regrets regarding their children, cried bitter tears, and then the joy of the Lord fell.
I saw with eyes filled with my own tears, the healing mercy shown to men who are locked up away from society.
The Lord Jesus has compassion on those who suffer, and I had a chance to pray for all those who wanted prayer.
Coming Events
I will be in Oregon on August 5th through the 11th.
I will conduct two services in the church in Vancouver, Washington called Lifehouse Fellowship.
Wednesday August 6th from 7 pm until the Lord is done, and then, again, on the next Sunday morning August 10th at 10 a.m. until noon.
I expect many souls to come to Christ and will tag-team the preaching in both services with my youngest son, Levi.
We are excited to see what the Lord Jesus will do.
On Friday, the 8th of August, I will be in the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, Oregon for a 7 p.m. service until around 9 p.m.
I have been ministering in this prison for some 33 years now, and it is always a blessing to see men who I have known personally for all those years.
Please pray for souls, and for the ministry to provide more Bibles for Oregon on this trip coming soon.
If I can purchase 25 more Study Bibles, I will have them shipped directly to the Chaplain at that prison.
September and December Outreaches at Ferguson
At the Ferguson Unit Prison in Midway, Texas, on September 7th I will conduct two services in the main unit of this notorious prison. One at 8 a.m. and the other at 6 p.m.
Between these services, I will go next door and do a service at the Trustee Camp as well.
This schedule is the same as December’s date too, which is December 7, 2025.
Keep in mind that I am endeavoring to purchase 2300 bars of Palmolive Soap again and 2300 Christmas Cards to give to the men. The soap will be for September’s outreach, and the Christmas Cards are for the December outreach.
Please pray and help me, as always, to be diligent in doing what God has called me to. Your support financially and prayerfully is what makes this ministry so fruitful, and you get to be a part of a great soul-winning effort.
The on-going Bible drive for the Ferguson Unit is still happening as this prison produces a lot of souls when I come, and we are hoping to provide more Study Bibles for this prison.
The need is great, but God will make a way for the men to receive their first Bible for so many who have never known Jesus.
My son, Levi and his friend Adam, who were with me on Father’s Day, are coming with me again for both the September and December events. Their lives have changed too, when they are used of the Lord to minister to the men who have broken hearts.
They both show a tremendous zeal, ministering both in music, and the preaching of His Word.
As always, thank you partners in advance of the Oregon trip, and the Ferguson Unit revival meetings upcoming.
Sincerely,
Evangelist Joe Wilkins, Son Levi, and Adam
