Compass Point Ministries
Summer 2012 Newsletter
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17
The mission of Compass Point Ministries is to bring hope and
encouragement to men struggling to put their lives together after serving
prison sentences. Having experienced life-changing encounters with Jesus
while incarcerated, their desire is to become productive citizens.
The Battle Is Not Ours…But God’s!
I Chronicles 20-29 describes the challenges that were set before King
David before he turned over the kingdom of Israel to the leadership of his
son, Solomon. In chapter 20, Satan incited David to count the people of
Israel. David did so, and God was angry with him because he did not obey
and trust God for deliverance before the many enemies that stood before
the people of God. Sometimes even the simplest things can be used
against seeing victory and triumph.
Satan has tempted us at CPM with the idea of defeat. Most likely this is
because resources have been scarce (and who hasn’t been affected by
this depression and malaise?), and we have seen many payless days for
Compass Point Residence in Brockton, MA
the staff. Even though we have
paid our current outside
obligations, the debt currently stands at $18,500. Of course we are in the midst
of the lean summer months, also. When things like that are constantly ‘in your
face’, it can be easy to get discouraged and to question the plan of God for the
future of Compass Point, and whether or not CPM even has one!
I am sharing these things with you all, so you may be informed. Our ministry is
open and information is shared openly when asked - after all, you are in
partnership with us!
Tuesday evening Bible study
Recently we have considered reducing the number of men we can
serve downward to perhaps four residents, or reducing the two
apartments we have to one. Or even to close the ministry
altogether. Honestly, it has been a season of discouragement for
us, and sadness - especially as we receive so many inquiries for
men to come here from many sources.
continued….
Testimony
Hello.
My name is Josiah. When I was a young boy, I accepted
Jesus Christ in my heart as my Lord and Savior. When I was older
I was baptized and was always spending time in church and loved
God. Unfortunately when I was ten years old, my parents were
divorced, and bitterness and resentment against God developed.
At 16, I began experimenting with drugs the led to ecstasy,
cocaine and heroin. Needless to say, drugs ruined my life. I lost
my friends, my money and my freedom. I ended up in jail and
various drug treatment programs. Nothing worked and I always
returned to drugs, as a dog returns to you know what! I was at
the end of my rope and didn’t know where to turn. That’s when I
heard about Compass Point Ministries and arrived last October.
After a few days here I realized that something was different
about this program. I began to read my Bible and pray about
things in my life. Slowly, God began to reveal himself to me. CPM
taught me how to love God again with all my heart, soul and
mind. I believe that if I didn’t come here I would have remained in
my transgressions. Dave Silva, in my eyes, is an awesome man of
God. He could have easily retired and lived out his life happily
ever after. But God put on his heart to help sick and suffering
addicts. I am forever grateful to this program and I plan on
walking with the Lord all the days of my life.
Matching Gift Opportunity for
$5,000!!
One of our CPM alumni, Mr. George Guilford,
is the Director of the Brockton Community
Development Corp., sponsored through Trinity
Baptist Church in Brockton, MA. Their purpose
is to have a positive influence in urban areas
with the development of commercial
opportunities for employment, etc. in the city
and surrounding areas. Through this venue,
one of their clients, Vicente’s Tropical Markets
in Brockton, has agreed to a matching gift for
Compass Point Ministries. George has been a
loyal friend and a great supporter of CPM
because we came alongside him to disciple and
serve him here in 2009-2010 - DO YOU SEE THE
CIRCLE BEGINNING TO HAPPEN?!
All gifts received through
September 15, 2012 will be matched up to
$5,000!!
That means when you generously give this
summer with a special gift for CPM - YOUR
GIFT IS DOUBLED!!
Can you see how important your gift is - no
matter how large or small? You can send your
check payable to Compass Point Ministries
(memo: MGO; PO Box 786, Brockton, MA
02303), or pay via our PAYPAL account on our
website at www.compasspointministries.org.
The Battle Is Not Ours…But God’s!
Continued from page 1
There is nothing so heart-wrenching as handling the
calls from crying mothers, grandmothers and wives.
But what can we do to help them when the
resources are gone? Out next man to arrive will be
the 120th resident of CPM. We have seen the
recidivism rate (return to correctional facilities) of
around 25 men so far, and that is approximately
20% over our five year history. That number is far
less than the average of 40-45%. So, we must be
doing something right here, and that is that we
introduce the men to Christ, teaching to observe all
things in the faith, and to demonstrate to many for
the first time, the experience of genuine love and
care in a real, structured family home.
Important Date to Remember!!
Friday, October 26, 2012
5:30 - 9:30 PM (Dinner at 6:15 PM)
Compass Point Ministries Silent Auction and Fundraiser Dinner
at
Bandstand Live! 391 West Water Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Come and hear testimonies from residents past and present
as well as some reports on our ministry. Great food, good
fellowship, and definitely an encouragement to your faith! If
you’ve attended before, you know what a great night this is.
Perhaps you or your church might want to sponsor a table?!
Mark it on your calendars now!!
Call (781) 878-0487 for more information.
Would you please take a moment and read the testimonies of the men, and please prayerfully consider your sacrificial
gift to Compass Point Ministries now - we thank you for your partnership. Our desire is to continue to glorify God by
coming alongside these men, and that can only happen as you are sensitive to God’s leading in this area.
“Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to
make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” David’s
prayer - I Chronicles 29:12-13
-David Silva, Founder/Director
Testimony - Angel Rosado
CPM House Manager
Early this year a resident at Compass Point was sharing with me some
personal thoughts, and one thing that stood out to me was when he said, “I
don’t know how to receive all this love at Compass Point - because I have
never had anyone love me for no reason. It scares me!” Happy with what
he saw and what God was doing in his life here, he believed on the name of
Christ and was welcomed into the family of our Lord and Savior and is
growing in the faith today!
Jean Belizaire, Board of Directors;
Angel Rosado, CPM House Manager
We are charged with coming alongside those who have been changed by
God’s grace. We understand that what they have done does not define who
they are under Jesus, and where they have been in their lives does not
determine where they shall go in the future. I ask that you come alongside
us in this important work. Thank you all – Angel
Testimony - Brian Vassar
I am 41 years of age and was born and raised in Cape May, New Jersey.
I
began drinking at an early age, which progressed later on to using
cocaine. As a result of my alcohol and substance abuses, I reached rock
bottom. I committed armed robbery at 36 years old and was sentenced
to serve 6 years in prison.
It was here in prison
Thank You!!
where I surrendered
We would like to express our thanks to our
my will and my life
over to God and
churches who support us on a regular basis, as
Living Room at Compass Point Residence
began to read the
well as special gifts and collections. We
Bible. It was here too that I heard about Compass Point Ministries.
appreciate our friendship with Trinity Baptist
In 2011, I met David Silva and discussed my interest in becoming a
Church in Brockton; the Manna Program of
resident of the program and wanted to grow deeper in my faith. On
TBC; Easton Baptist Church; The Fellowship in
June 1, 2011 I arrived on parole to CPM. Even though things have
Easton; First Baptist Church in N. Middleboro;
been tough in my life, and yes after my release here, I never became
Winthrop Street Baptist Church in Taunton;
discouraged. I thank God daily for all He has accomplished in my life
and the West Bridgewater Baptist Church.
since coming here.
And lest we forget - we also thank the many
women who cook for us on a monthly basis.
Without the strong support from David and Jannett and the staff
All of the ladies are great cooks, and certainly
here, I would have given up and returned to my old ways. Instead,
understand that the way to a man’s heart is
God has demonstrated His grace and mercy through love and
through his stomach! Call Barb Barker at
compassion. With their help I was able to set goals that are
(508) 584-8434 if you would like to be
attainable. I was able to get my license reinstated after not having
involved in this, and cook for us once a month
one for 18 years - and now I have a pickup truck and am working
to show off your culinary skills!
fairly steadily. Glory be to God!