Restoration Prison Ministry, May 2025 Newsletter
Dear Partners,
The ministry trip to the Northwest is happening on May 28th through June 4th.
So much is happening that God has His Thumbprint on, it is worth sharing just one thing.
The Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem, Oregon, is where I first began in 1992.
I have shared before how this began in a broom closet in the prison which was converted into a small library. It held 4 chairs and that was it.
In less than a month, the tiny room had standing room only, and I had to conduct two services to accommodate all the men who were coming to hear about Jesus Christ.
In less than six months, the ministry was moved into a Multi-Purpose Building across from the “yard” (recreation area for the inmates). Revival broke out there. Over 150 men were coming each week.
The latest story there is this.
That original building I spoke about, is under construction, and the small chapel that has been used during the remodel, will only hold 25 men comfortably.
Since the big building will not be done when I arrive in a few weeks, the Chaplain is moving the chapel to one of the vacant dorm rooms where men lived before it became vacant.
So far, the weekly attendance has grown with more room for men to come to this dorm room, and with announcing the ministry I am bringing for the last two weeks, they expect the dorm to be packed. It will hold around 80 men, so the Lord is allowing a remodel and partial lock-down, to have a bigger chapel for the ministry to win souls in.
Yes,
“All things work together for good, to those who love God, and are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28.
It is working out for the good, just in time to bring God’s Word to the lost souls at Santiam Prison in Salem, Oregon.
After this, I will conduct another service across the street from Santiam, on Friday evening May 30th, and I expect a full house in this prison called Oregon State Correctional Institution.
From there, the next day, I will travel over Mt. Hood, to Central Oregon, to another prison, and beyond.
Many souls will come to these meetings.
Please pray for Salvations, Healings, and Miracles to happen.
I have been able to purchase several cases of Study Bibles for the Texas Prisons I minister at.
This order has been fulfilled, but I still need the same Bibles for the Oregon prisons I will be preaching in.
I expect the altars to be full of lost souls in need of Jesus as their Savior, and for healings of broken hearts too.
80 Bibles would cover the need for this trip.
I believe in the support and prayers that my faithful partners always provide for the lost in these prisons.
I need a ten-day window to order them and ship them to Oregon.
Time is ticking.
It would be a blessing to hand them to the new Christians who receive Christ as their Savior, while attending the services in the chapels.
Please pray and consider helping me with this endeavor.
All in all, I will visit a total of 7 prisons and conduct a total of 8 chapel services in all these prisons combined.
From there, I will preach in a church in Idaho and am believing for God to move in His Power there as well.
I will start this preaching trip in Vancouver, Washington on the day I arrive on the 28th, Wednesday.
Please pray there are no flight delays keeping me from being in church on time.
So much is happening with this trip, it is hard to explain the spiritual side of it all.
As always, we as believers in Jesus, have a target on our spiritual backs.
This is a spiritual target that Satan would love to hit the bullseye on and keep us from doing God’s will.
This is for all believers in Jesus, not just the ministers, like me, who dare travel to preach to societies downtrodden.
I have been under attack in my health, in such a way that I need a miracle in my body prior to this trip. I have never been beaten down in this way, prior to a travel date upcoming like this.
Currently I am fighting the good fight of faith.
This physical issue is under prayer by many who I have asked to pray, so I am asking you as well.
“The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, avails much.”
James 5:16.
I need MUCH healing.
Jesus is our Healer.
I understand distractions, and situations in life that try and muddy the waters in our lives. It seems that, the more we try to do what God wants us to do, the storms get bigger.
Usually when I fight these kinds of battles prior to a trip, the Lord moves in a very powerful way, once I get going. I expect the same on this trip.
I will travel over 1,500 miles by car to accomplish this sweep of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Please keep me in prayer over this.
Remember, there will come a day that we lay our “soul-winner’s” crown at the feet of Jesus.
You, and your consistent help, adds the jewels of Heaven in your own crown.
They shine brightly, because you decided to sacrifice a lot in your life, to see people saved.
There is no greater healing than the healing of a person’s soul.
John 3: 3 declares…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Jesus said this, and it is my mandate from Him, to deliver the Good News that Jesus Saves.
I appreciate all you do, and have done, for years, to help this ministry to the lost and undone.
Society may have locked up men for their crimes.
For good reason.
They deserve the time for the crime.
So did I, in 1976.
In some of the minds of those who prosecuted, judged, and handed down the sentences of many, the men are a lost cause.
“Throw away the key.”
Well, Jesus is The Key that unlocks the door to the heart.
No matter what, we have all sinned.
I am just grateful I was given a second chance by God, to know Him, and the fellowship of some of His sufferings.
I understand now, and I will never take for granted, the opportunity to live outside of prison.
Prison is and can be a state of mind for many who do not live in a physical prison.
There is nothing worse than to feel like we are on “death row” in our emotions, and in our sufferings.
Jesus is Our Answer, after all.
He loves all.
He needs all of us to do our best, as He gives us mercy and grace to live another day.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
To God be the Glory, for the good things He hath done!
Sincerely,
Joe Wilkins
