Over the years the Outreach Committee has helped those abroad and at home.  It has sent aid to missionaries, supported with prayers and money, many from All Saints like Deacon Dottie Gleason who is currently serving in Honduras.  Some go on short-term missions such as Jan and Gary Lockhart to Guatemala and, of course, our youth to Arizona and Mexico.  Two members of our congregation recently have attended seminary.  Christina Vance is currently in seminary in Pennsylvania and Michelle Terwilliger was recently ordained as a deacon and gave a sermon here at All Saints. Support from Outreach has also stayed in the Bakersfield community, helping Paul and the Brown Bag ministry which gives food and clothing to the homeless, and Carol Galagan’s whose Hearts and Hands ministry group makes blankets for the sick and shut-ins.  Others volunteer with prison ministry, Teen Challenge, Habitat for Humanity, Pregnancy Center, Rescue Mission and Love I.N.C. (in the Name of Christ). 
           
There are many more that past and present members that are and were involved in All Saints Outreach Committee.  To them outreach is not just a committee but a large part of the soul of All Saints.    You are invited to join our committee which meets on the second Tuesday of each month.  Just stop and think about all those lives who have been touched because an up and coming church decided to draw a name out of a can.

For more information regarding the Outreach Committee please contact Sandy Wardlow or Sarah Perelli-Minetti or the church office at (661) 832-8582.

Starting this month I will be featuring an outreach ministry All Saints is supporting monthly. If you would like to "step out" and become involved please contact Russ Lenk at Bramblebush Ministries.

 

 

Outside-In Prison Ministry

Turning Point Mother-Infant Program

On Sunday, August 3, Outside-In began a new worship service ministry for the ladies at Turning Point Mother- Infant Program on David Road.  Every Sunday we will be offering a simple praise and worship service at 7:00 p.m.

Russ and Connie Lenk, and John and Linda LaMar are spearheading this exciting ministry.  New volunteers are always welcome.

The Turning Point Mother-Infant Program is a unique approach to incarceration.  Women apply for the program from mainline institutions.  Once accepted, they are allowed to bring in up to 2 children ages 0-6 years old.  There is no razor wire, and there are no correctional officers.  Women attend classes during the day, while pre-school aged children are cared for in an onsite nursery school.  School aged children (K-1st) are bussed to school each morning.

Turning Point is a converted elementary school, housing up to 25 women and their children.  Each family has a private room.

The Turning Point program has been in existence for more than twenty years.  This non-traditional approach has produced a recidivism rate of 45% as compared to 70% in mainline institutions.

Outside-In is happy to be part of the Turning Point Program.

Our thanks to Bob Mehia, Program Director, and the Turning Point Staff.

 Shafter CCF

This November, Outside-In will complete our second year of Bible Study/Mentoring at the Shafter Community Correctional Facility.  The program was originated by Fr. Jack Faucett during November of 2006.  We meet with inmates every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00—offering both English and Spanish study groups. 

Current volunteers include: 

Russ Lenk, Connie Lenk, John LaMar, Esteban Salazar, Fr. Matthew Davis, and Larry Jewell.

During the past 17 months we have been bringing inmate prayer requests to prayer groups and Sunday services within the local Anglican Churches.
Listed below are the first names of the men who have come to us with prayer needs:

Marc   Jose   Ralph   Alberto   Daniel   James   Tim   Joey   Ramon   Anthony   Willie  

Richard   Miles   Luis   Miguel   Jose   Francisco   Abraham   Adriel   Salvador   Juan  

Hector   Jose   Phil   Mario   Arnold   Erick   Richard   Daniel   Juaregoi   Miguel   Jorge  

Danny   James   Jose   Jorge   Paul   Eric   Lorenzo   Fernando   Jorge   Ivan   O’Neill   Ron  

Juan   Raul   Jesus   Antonio   Lou   Emanuelle   Albert   David   Brian   Victor   Steven  

Ruben   Jackson   Nick    Fred   Anthony   Robert    Sergio   Nilay   Sergio   Victor   Charles  

Mario   Ron   William   Chad   Doug   Johnny   Carlos   Jose   Matt   Luis   Karim   Ronald  

Guillermo   Greg   Blue   Marcos   Lonnie   Sergio   Dave   Geoffrey   Michael   Mike   Jesse

Albert   Edward   Ken   Ray   Leondro   Rommel   Reuben   Angel   Juve   Jose   Jesse  Max

Ernesto   Oscar   Ramon   Emilio   Miguel   Carlos   Serrato   Pablo   Refugio  

Samuel   Armando   Manuel   Henrique   Jose   Samuel   Juan   Jorge   Atanacio

Salatiel   Rolando   Ruben   Luis   Ulises   Gustavo   Jesus   Meche   Bernardo

Mercet   Rafael   Remington   Rolande   Adriail   Hugo   Alberto   Mendrano

Lopez   Juan    Jose   Daniel   Erick   Jesus   Manuel   Jose   Javier   Luis   Franklin

Ricardo   Taurino   Miguel   Jorge

Not all of the men bring prayer needs to our attention.  There are 151 names on the above list.  We have probably interacted with 200+ inmates during the period May 2007 – August 2008.  Time spent with the men at Shafter CCF is truly a blessing.

Thanks to Don Thompson, CCF Administration, Correctional Officers, and Inmates for their encouragement and support.

Shafter CCF II

 On May 31, COF (Circle of Friends) performed a yard concert for the men at Shafter CCF.  The group performed two one-hour sets—one for the East Wing of the facility, and one for the West Wing.

We enjoyed ourselves, and—while not all inmates are into Christian themed music—the yard response was good.

The event was COF’s third performance at the facility.

Shafter CCF III

Sergio, one of the inmates at Shafter CCF, blessed us by bringing to our attention the ministry of Nick Vujicic.  Nick was born without arms or legs, but he refused—and still refuses— to think of himself as different.  At Sergio’s request, Outside-In purchased the Life Without Limbs DVD for viewing during a Tuesday evening session.  All who saw it were blessed.  Our thanks to Sergio.

The DVD is currently making its way through the All Saints congregation.  Please contact us if you would care to view it.  Life Without Limbs.Org is Nick Vujicic’s website.

Christian Re-Entry Alliance

Bramblebush/Outside-In is part of the Christian Re-Entry Alliance, a cooperative of churches, organizations, and individuals focused on parolee societal re-entry.

The ultimate goal of the CRA is to establish a re-entry network for parolees, providing services in the areas of employment, housing, church and spiritual connections, mentoring/counseling, rehab programs, sober living homes, family/ financial/medical/legal issues, transportation, and anything else we can think of.

Slowly, but surely….

CRA is endorsed by Prison Fellowship through its local Field Director, John Dragoun.

Prisoner Visitation & Support

Recently, we were contacted by David Poundstone at Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS).  PVS is a volunteer visitation program to Federal and Military prisoners throughout the United States.
The primary focus is on those prisoners who:

The program offers friendship and a listening ear to help prisoners prepare to assume a useful place in society.
Prisoner Visitation and Support is the only organization authorized by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Defense to visit any prisoner in the Federal and Military prison systems. The primary focus is on seeing those prisoners with an acute need for human contact -- those prisoners without regular visits, those serving long sentences far from home, those in solitary confinement and on death row, and those who are frequently transferred from prison to prison. PVS visitors let the prisoners set the agenda for what they discuss. Common concerns are: lack of contact with family, untreated medical problems, work or educational plans upon release, current events, literature, etc.
The visitation schedule is once per month.  Russ Lenk has volunteered for the PVS program at Taft Federal Prison.  If you are interested in learning more, and/or becoming a volunteer, let us know.  We will put you in touch with Mr. Poundstone.

Bramblebush Retreats

October 2008

During the weekend of October 10-12, Bramblebush and All Saints will be hosting a retreat at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers.  The retreat theme is “Between Sundays (Life Happens).”  We will be looking at ways to stay connected with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through all aspects of daily life and living. 

Space is limited.  If you are interested please contact Russ Lenk at 327-3886

COF

COF (Circle of Friends) is looking to pick up the pace regarding performance venues.  We seek to play in as many venues as possible, in order to promote the prison ministry.
COF plays on a regular basis at the Shafter Teen Challenge Ranch, and Shafter CCF.  We will play in churches, prisons, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, coffee houses, private homes, auditoriums, tents, barns, bars, alleys, parking lots, and any other place God would have us go to raise awareness—and appreciation—for the work He has given us to do.
COF’s next public performance will be at Dagny’s Coffee House on September 19.  If you have an idea for a possible venue, please let us know.
Also, we are seeking corporate sponsorship to support the band’s ministry activity.  If you have any ideas in this regard, please let us know.

The COF website is www.russlenkcof.com

 Teen Challenge

Thursday Evening Support Group

This month Connie and Russ Lenk celebrate the tenth anniversary of their involvement in Teen Challenge/Turning Point support groups.  The groups meet every Thursday evening at the Teen Challenge Women’s Facility on Roberts Lane.

Connie and Russ, along with Larry Jewell from Teen Challenge, co-facilitate the
Concerned Persons group.  Group focus is upon encouraging and strengthening one another in God’s Love, as we deal with the painful consequences of a loved one’s addiction or other life-controlling problem.

We find comfort from the Lord that we, in turn, can become a comfort to others.

Below please find some recent testimonials from the Tuesday night group.

Inmate Testimonies – Shafter CCF

Edward

Our Tuesday evening group is about the making of an integrated people, the Body of Christ.  The volunteers are men and women who understand what they believe, are deeply dedicated to it, work increasingly to relate those beliefs to every facet of their own lives, and deliver a message about God’s Plan and Power in loving truth.

Tuesday nights also show me the importance of believers cultivating by gathering frequently in small clusters, to reflect on Scripture, pray, and support one another.

Jesus does not ask us to project an impossibly perfect image, for this would be a lie!  But, if we can be honest about ourselves with others, it can give them a hope regarding their own failings, and turn them toward our gracious God.

Henry – An Open Letter To Potential Volunteers

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope and pray you are fine.  I would like to share with you the impact that Russ, Connie, and Fr. Matthew have on me, through our Lord, when they come on Tuesdays to share and preach the Gospel.

First of all, I feel the love, faith, and hope in the room, and God’s great humor.  They encourage me with my faith and walk with our Lord.  I just recently accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, and I believe he is the Son of God who died for our sins. 

The Tuesday night volunteers, along with Sister Shirley and Brother Dan (Monday and Friday evenings), are a blessing from our Lord when they come to preach and teach us.

Thank you for your time, and may God bless you and yours always.

When the door to the classroom closes, Russ often reminds us that the prison is left on the other side of the door.  We then become the Body of Christ.  The Holy Spirit moves freely and knowingly amongst us, as we share insights and ideas about the Word of God and how to live the Christian life.

The people who bring this awesome blessing to us are very dear to me, and I have grown to love them very much!  They are like family!  They are Russ and Connie, Larry Jewell, John, and Father Matthew.

Russ always assures us that we bless them just as much as they bless us.

It has truly been a wonderful thing to be part of!  Thank you Lord for putting these beautiful Christians in my life!

As always, Bramblebush welcomes your encouragement, prayers, and financial support.  We have much work to do, and—as is the case with many small ministries—limited resources with which to do it.

Should the Lord touch your heart to offer financial support, please make checks payable to Bramblebush Ministries.  Our mailing address is:

3317 La Cresta Dr.
Bakersfield, CA  93305

All donations are fully tax-deductible.

 Bramblebush Ministries, 3317 La Cresta Dr, Bakersfield, CA  93305
 661-327-3886

501 (c) (3) Public Charity
Employer Identification Number: 20-1256563
California Nonprofit Religious Corporation #2636656