NEWSLETTER
August 2016
mesacountyjailministry.org
The mission of the Mesa County Jail Ministry is to
bring the healing power of Jesus Christ to broken
relationships with God, with family, and with
community.
Welcome to the summer 2016 newsletter for
the Mesa County Jail Ministry (MCJM). Nearing
our second anniversary the following is a brief
summary of our beginnings. In the spring of
2014 a local group of Christians met to discuss
jail ministries in the area. It had been about two
years since the Mesa County Jail had a full-time
Chaplain. The consensus of the attendees was
that a full-time chaplain was needed. Doug
Winter an intern at Clifton Christian Church was
in attendance and was approached by a few
people about being the Jail Chaplain. With a
background as a Pastor and Corrections Officer
Doug had the skills needed for the ministry.
Long story short, after some coaxing by the Lord
Doug was smitten by the idea. Have him tell you
the story sometime.
At our first meeting in August 2014, God
provided those needed for the Board. Stepping
forward in faith we trusted that God would
provide for the needs of the ministry. Over the
next two years many in the community would
come along side to support this work.
Detention Volunteer of the year Bobby
Telford. Thanks Bobby for your devotion to the
inmates.
New Board Member : One of the founding
Board members, Matt Mchesney, recently
moved to the Front Range. We appreciate
Matt’s leadership in helping to get the ministry
underway. We will miss his guidance and
wisdom. God has blessed the MCJM with
Angela Barnes to replace Matt on the Board.
Angela, a 30-year resident of Colorado, has
practiced law in various capacities in Grand
Junction for 20+ years.
Angela has a heart for helping those that are
less fortunate beginning her legal career as an
attorney at Colorado Legal Services--which
provides free legal services for clients at the
poverty level. In private practice Angela
continued to provide free legal work for those
at the poverty level through volunteer service
for the Mesa County Pro Bono Project, the Calla-Lawyer program, the Partners program, and
the Girls on the Run program serving at the
Dual Immersion Academy. She is currently a
volunteer for the Hilltop Domestic Violence
resource telephone line. For 14 years Angela
worked as an assistant County Attorney and
became familiar with the workings of the Mesa
County Jail and the issues for deputies and
inmates.
Her desire as a member of the board is to
improve the spiritual health of the community.
Angela has observed Chaplain Winter bringing
former inmates to church to mentor and foster
them and their families’ relationship with God.
In addition, her work on the board will be to
continue and grow financial support for the
Chaplain position and for the Board to cultivate
a process for following up with the inmates
when they leave the jail.
Testimony: Recently an inmate shared a miracle
God had done in his life. A meth addict facing 6
years at the Department of Corrections (DOC)
he wrote to his adult daughter who he had not
seen in 10 years. From New York City his
daughter called him at the jail telling him that
she had forgiven him and wanted to be part of
his life as he went to DOC. Tears rolling down
his face he was so grateful for this opportunity.
Before leaving for DOC he was asked what he
would be doing had he not been arrested and
subsequently committed his life to Christ? He
said that he would still be an addict with no
relationship with his daughter. We agreed that
his time in jail was a blessing from God.
Warriors at Heart: Earlier this year Warriors at
Heart (WAH) has teamed up with MCJM to
minister to inmates. Warriors has held three
sessions, reaching approximately 30 men with
the message based on Wild at Heart, by author
John Eldredge."Warriors on the Inside", as
these weekend events are called, is focused on
restoring men in their relationship with God,
healing from brokenness and breaking out of
cycles that lead to recidivism. Early in the
program WAH has seen some inmates who
have been released. The goal is to minister to
inmates while in jail and walk with them when
released helping them to grow in Christ. Please
pray for this work as it grows into a mentoring
program for ex-offenders.
Summary of the work going on Inside: Since
January 1, 2016; over 540 bibles and 120 pairs
of reading glasses have been distributed to the
inmates. This summer the inmate population
has regularly exceeded 400. Chaplain Winter
oversees volunteers, coordinates jail programs,
ministers to inmates and the officers in the
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. We thank God for
Chaplain Winter, volunteers, funding, and
direction.
Ministry Needs: For 2016, donations
are covering an average of 70 percent of the
Chaplain's salary. Ministry needs include prayer
for the spiritual battle; paper-backed Christian
books; volunteers to teach and counsel the
inmates; and funds to support the Chaplains
position, purchase Bibles, reading glasses, and
instructional materials. We would be glad to
visit with you or your Church leadership
regarding the Mesa County Jail Ministry.
Contact Chaplain at 970-712-2568 or by email:
[email protected].
In cooperation with the Mesa County Sherriff
Office the MCJM helps support the Chaplain
position at the Mesa County Jail. Thanks to the
Lord for the support provided by Grand Valley
Churches and individuals.
Annual Banquet: Save the date and mark your
calendar for Friday night February 24, 2017 for
the Third Annual Jail Ministry Banquet.
The Mesa County Jail Ministry (FEIN# 30-0845521) is a
qualified 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization and
donations are tax deductible.