Restoration Prison Ministry Newsletter, August-2025
Good day to all the partners.
The Oregon trip was another successful endeavor as the Lord Jesus moved upon people, both in a prison and the church services we did.
My son went with me and did the worship in the two church services. One on Wednesday evening, and then the other on the following Sunday morning.
It was a powerful time of worship and singing and prayer as many came to the altar and were saved and ministered too, one on one. I never stop until the very last soul is prayed for.
On Friday the 8th of August, I traveled to Salem, Oregon to preach at the Oregon State Correctional Institution where there were around 77 men in attendance.
Many of these men I have known for over 30 years of ministry to this prison, and several are part of the prison worship team.
One was asking for prayer back in May when I was there for his shoulder that had an apparent rotator cuff tear in it. Well, after the service on this Friday, he came to me and raised his left arm for the first time since his injury and we both hugged and gave Jesus the Glory for His Divine touch. This man, I have known for over 30 years as he has a life sentence. He is the leader of the worship team and has been the whole time I have known him.
All 77 men came forward for prayer with several giving their hearts to Jesus. As I looked out past the rows of men standing before me, I saw all the chairs empty, as the Lord wanted everyone to be a part of His Healing Mercy at the altar. Even the two different men in wheelchairs were there to be prayed for.
In the first church service in Vancouver, Washington, several people came to the altar for salvation and healing. One was a young man who I prayed for and watched him as he cried out to Jesus for mercy in his personal repentance. The message I preached was called “Unpacking Emotional Baggage” with a subtitle of “Grateful for My Regrets.”
Apparently, like most of us, he unloaded the baggage of his life this evening and was beginning to be grateful for his Salvation in Christ. The message was not about living “in” our regrets, but after Salvation, learning to be grateful “for” the regrets that led us to repentance.
Sunday morning’s message was called “The Old Man and the Sea” taken after Ernest Hemingway’s book with the same title. It was not about fishing but was about the “Old Man” prior to Jesus changing us.
Letting go of the old man and being renewed in our spirit as Jesus saves our souls.
I spoke about the resilience and fortitude the old man in the book had regarding his fight to catch the great Marlin fish. He fought for three days to land this great fish, but sharks had devoured it before he could get it back to dry land.
Like in many lives, we fight the good fight of faith in Jesus, but life and the trials it brings, can devour our faith like the sharks did to the Marlin.
Just as the old man did not quit fighting for the great catch, we must never quit serving Jesus, no matter the storms of life that come.
Many came to the altar and again, my son and I prayed for them all.
September 7th this year, my son and his friend will accompany me to the Ferguson Prison for three services. We expect a great harvest of souls to come in this outreach.
As this September approaches, I am asking for prayer now for the December 7th outreach to Ferguson because we want to bless all 2,300 men there with soap and Christmas cards prior to our December date.
It is a tradition to bring these presents as we preach another three services to win the lost to Christ.
My son and I are grateful for all you do to support and pray for us as we go and preach Jesus to the lost and undone in prison.
Beginning this Tuesday August 19th, I will return to the Torres Unit Prison in Hondo, Texas for my weekly class. I have been gone to Oregon the last two Tuesdays, so it will be refreshing to get back to the men and see what the Lord will do.
As always, thank you for all you do to further the Kingdom of God.
Sincerely,
Joe Wilkins and Son.
