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A FAITHFUL LOOK AT OUR MISSION'S PROGRESS:
CHARTING OUR COURSE FORWARD
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single, faithful step." - David Avritt
MY CEO CLOSING REPORT
My fellow servants in faith and mission, as we close this period of dedication, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your tireless work. The Lord has blessed our hands and our efforts, allowing us to see excellent fruit in many areas. While we celebrate these victories, we must also look at the areas where we need to strengthen our focus with clear eyes and humble hearts. This report summarizes our areas of strength and where we need to dedicate more resources and engage in spiritual warfare.
AREAS WE ARE DOING WELL
The following areas show remarkable growth and effectiveness, reflecting the commitment and passion of our team. Let's celebrate these miracles!
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12 KJV)
We are seeing powerful momentum in our Camp Growth Report and Outreach Report. Our efforts to personally connect with the community and expand our ministry footprint are exceeding expectations. This is a testament to the face-to-face, heart-to-heart work that is the core of our mission. Our in-person events and mentorship programs are truly changing lives.
Podcasts and Ebooks: SHARING THE WORD WIDELY
The content we are producing, highlighted in the Podcasts and Ebooks Report, is resonating deeply with our audience. The quality and inspirational nature of our digital resources are leading people to the Good News. This is an efficient and effective way to amplify our message and reach those seeking truth in the digital realm.
Our Website Report shows that our digital headquarters is a stable and accessible beacon. People are finding the information they need quickly, and the user experience is designed to lead them easily to our resources and ways to connect. Our online foundation is strong, providing reliable support for all our other initiatives.
AREAS THAT NEED HELP
Humility requires us to acknowledge areas where our efforts have fallen short or where strategic shifts are necessary. We must pray and plan how to bolster these initiatives so they can reach their full potential.
Prison Ministry Outreach: A TEMPORARY WALL IN COMMUNICATION
The upcoming month presents a significant challenge for our Prison Ministry, a crucial part of our outreach. Due to the State of California prison system upgrading its tablet system to a new company, our scheduled video conferences will be drastically reduced. This temporary technological barrier means I will not be able to reach out to the men and ladies for prayer and spiritual support as planned. This setback necessitates immediate strategic planning to identify alternative approved communication channels or methods for maintaining a spiritual connection during this transition, ensuring that these souls are not forgotten.
Email Marketing: THE OPEN DOOR CHALLENGE
While our content is excellent, our email marketing efforts are struggling to achieve the desired open and click-through rates. Our message is not consistently reaching the eyes and hearts of our subscribers. We need a renewed focus on subject line strategy and list segmentation to ensure we are communicating relevant, timely, and attention-grabbing messages. We must not let the enemy close this vital line of communication!
Financial Stewardship: LOOKING AT THE LONG HAUL
The Financial Report indicates that we must be more proactive and creative in securing sustained funding to support the rapid growth in our outreach. While we are fiscally responsible, relying on current donation patterns may limit our ability to scale our most successful programs. We need to explore new avenues for partnership and stewardship that ensure the stability and longevity of our mission for years to come.
Social Media Impact: A QUIET VOICE IN A LOUD WORLD
The Social Media Report suggests our voice is often too quiet compared to the noise of the world. Our engagement and reach on major platforms are inconsistent. We need to implement a strategy that increases visibility, encourages community interaction, and leverages visual storytelling to capture attention and effectively spread the Gospel across these digital platforms.
MOVING FORWARD WITH FAITH
I believe with all my heart that every challenge is an opportunity for God to show His power. Let us take these insights not as critique, but as a roadmap given by the Holy Spirit. Let’s focus our prayers and our talents on strengthening the weak areas and multiplying the successes we have already achieved.
I am reminded of this powerful truth as we look ahead:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13 KJV)
Thank you for your sacrifice, your passion, and your faithfulness. Let’s finish strong and start the next period with even greater zeal!
Background of the story: J.M. reached out to us a couple of months ago after finding us through social media and our podcast. He DM'd and inquired about potential opportunities for help. After investigating, he appeared very promising, demonstrating a genuine love for the Lord and an active commitment to service in his church. During the interview, I discovered that he went to Bible college in Lancaster, CA, which excited me about his potential for future assistance as a chaplain. However, he returned home and became involved with a far-right organization, where he was caught in an FBI sting for buying guns with scratched-off serial numbers, resulting in time served in federal prison. Believing in second chances, we will continue to work with him as he progresses and grows. J.M. will be helping the organization as a podcaster and writer, with his first podcast scheduled to launch next week. You can view the written podcast below. Please pray for him as he works diligently to support his family.
The Story of J.M. and the Foundation of Faith Behind Bars
The documents provide a personal biography of J.M. and an excerpt from a podcast/article titled, "Holding Down the Fortress of Love: Why Faith Endures Behind Bars," which reflects on the challenges and necessity of faith in maintaining a relationship during incarceration.
J.M.'s Personal Journey ("also known as" A Voice from the Inside)
J.M. was born and raised in Queens, NYC, with a twin brother and supportive parents, experiencing a happy and adventurous childhood. While his upbringing was not religious, his faith journey began in college when he read the Bible as a historical text for a Comparative Literature course, analyzing it alongside ancient creation stories, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.
He was captivated by the Bible and, through the intercessory prayers of loved ones (including his older sister), he accepted Jesus Christ's gift of Salvation around Easter 2011.
God led him on a journey of spiritual growth, discipleship, and mentoring, which included attending a strict discipleship home in northern Illinois in 2013 and a Baptist Bible college in southern California from 2015 to 2016.
After returning to Queens in 2017, his focus shifted from Christ to the political and cultural battles under the first Trump Administration, leading him to work within the political fringe.
In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, J.M. was "entrapped into committing a crime" and sent to prison for several years.
He and his then-girlfriend persevered through his incarceration, standing together until his release in the fall of 2023, marrying in 2024, and now having a baby daughter.
J.M. is now looking forward to sharing his unique insights and stories with the team at CA Jail Ministry.
Maintaining Relationships During Incarceration
The podcast/article discusses the "living nightmare" of separation caused by the legal system, forcing couples into a "Spartan relationship" of letters, brief phone calls, and minimal physical contact.
The Power of Distance: The author, who spent nearly three and a half years in a sentence, asserts that if love and faith are kept alive, the relationship can grow richer, "blossoming into a most glorious reunion."
The Hard Truth & Statistics: The challenges are immense, with incarceration consistently linked to higher divorce rates.
An estimated 80 percent of marriages for incarcerated men break up between arrest and the end of their first year in prison.
The breakup rate for female inmates is reported to be closer to 100 percent.
Each year of incarceration increases the odds of divorce (before or after release) by an average of 32 percent.
The partner on the outside often faces significant burdens, including financial insecurity, lost income, and the sole responsibility of parenting.
Faith as the Anchor: The text emphasizes that building a foundation on "the Rock" (Jesus Christ) is essential, stating that for a couple devoted to God and each other, "victory is possible, no matter the storm."
Encouraging KJV Scriptures are provided, including Luke 10:27 and Ecclesiastes 4:12.
Solid Points for the Waiting Partner: Girlfriends and wives are encouraged to:
Prioritize Yourself and Your Home: Take care of personal health, finances, and connect children to their father; seek out support groups.
Nurture the Relationship: Be the key to communication through letters, emails, and visits, as increased family contact is pivotal.
Focus on Positive and Deep Communication: Avoid dwelling on incarceration and instead focus on light topics, such as sports, movies, or religious faith.
Maintain Your Faith Together: Use this time to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually, discussing the Bible and religion for comfort and support. The text concludes that commitment to Christ and your spouse matters more than societal labels.