We had a truly great time speaking on a handful of topics, one being how prison impacts families. We sometimes do not realize how many people we know personally or are connected to that are affected by prison.
I hope you find this message informative, encouraging and uplifting!
Johnny Moffitt speaking at the prison in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
In all my years of Prison Ministry, I have not seen anything like what we experienced in Honduras.
We truly had a great time in La Ceiba, Honduras. Please take a few minutes to listen to this special message. I hope you receive something great from the Lord!
Thank You for your prayers and support of our ministry! We are grateful to be sent!
Johnny Moffitt praying over the Ministry Leaders at Puerta del Cielo in La Ceiba, Honduras.
One of our visits was to a church named, Puerta del Cielo, or Heaven's Door.
I love ministering in a place where the spirit of the Lord is so evident. This church can worship and they are prayer warriors too.
Our team spoke at Puerta Del Cielo Several times throughout the week and I was glad to be able to pray over the leadership to kick off the National Ministry Leaders Summit.
Thank You for your Prayers and Support! We truly had a great time in La Ceiba, Honduras.
Thank you to Pastor Milton Valle and his Wife Pastor Mayra Valle. They're gonna be in my heart and in my prayers.
Betty Moffitt and Michael Scudiero with Frances one of the Medical Directors
We visited a local hospital which is in need of many things. We are grateful for the work that is being done by several organizations, churches, and individuals. Connect Global is building a Maternity Home in La Ceiba for the sweet mothers who currently have no place to rest before or after they give birth.
Johnny and Betty's Grandsons, Wade and Peter, donated the medical supplies from their personal supply.
We delivered bandages, syringes, medications, vials, and a host of other basic, but vital supplies.
It was great to see the vision of the Hospital Staff, as well as the commitment my son, Travis Moffitt, along with his ministry Partner, Javier Mendoza have both made to help the mothers and newborns of Honduras through their organization, Connect Global.
Dr. Morris Sheats
In April, I was privileged to spend some time with some of the most important people in my life.
First I went to Southern Louisiana for a mission conference. There I met several of the men and women who influence my life every day. They are missionaries from around the world, whose dedication, faith, and commitment are continual blessings. It is from them I learn about our mission, calling, the Word of God, and God Himself. Also, they are all really fun to be with.
Then Betty and I were able to travel to Lubbock, Texas, to spend some time with our spiritual father, Dr. Morris Sheats. There we spent two days with him as he taught a couple dozen of ministers who look to him as a spiritual father. It is always good to sit at father's feet.
Dr. Sheats taught on "Transitions" in a way that really ministered to me, and will be a part of my growth for a long time. We are very grateful for this very special time.
We are speaking at two national conferences on prison ministry. We are also ministering inside two prisons. These are very dangerous prisons, greatly overcrowded, and housing many of the world's most dangerous prisoners.
We are excited to be going back where we have had a great response in the past.
Follow us on Facebook as we will be reporting to you regularly.
We had about 25 couples and about 20 volunteers. It was a great success. Immediately, prisons across Texas were asking for a Marriage Seminar. As a result, we have held over 100 seminars in over 30 prisons and hosted over 2500 couples.
If you would like to be part of this wonderful ministry to the lives of hurting couples, just go to our web-site, www.wviw.com. and sign up on the "Volunteers" page.
Less than 3% of marriages will survive prison, but WVIW Marriage Seminars are changing that in Texas.
Come join us.
Often on my many out-of- town trips, I would drive down the wrong road by mistake. After a few miles I would realize the signposts no longer matched my directions. Or the map clearly showed I was headed away from my destination, not toward it.
I could keep driving the wrong way, stubbornly insisting I would get there somehow. Or I could backtrack---whining the whole time---until I reached the spot where I made a wrong turn and make the right one. At that point I would be so relieved, so happy to be going in the correct direction, the whining ended and rejoicing would begin.
When we come to our senses, when we see our mistakes---our failures, our sins, our spiritual bloopers---for what they are, it is time not only to confess but also turn around and go back to where we know in our hearts we need to be.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:15
We will not drive this road alone. God (our heavenly GPS) will never turn His back on you. Patiently, lovingly, the Lord waits for each one of us to stop and face Him once more. He will not say, “I told you so,” but rather, “I love you so.”
“He is patient with you,
Not wanting any to perish,
But everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
“Everyone.” I guess that means, well, every one of us. No matter what we have done. No matter how deliberately. All it takes: a change of heart. And then a shift in direction. If we are sorry yet keep on sinning, we are driving farther down the road that gets us no place we truly want to go.
To repent means to quit sinning, turn around, and walk back into God’s embrace…
“realizing that God’s kindness
Leads you toward repentance.”
Romans 2:4
Here’s the thing: this is a well-traveled road. You are, no doubt, going to stumble along this route again someday, repenting afresh. Rest assured, God’s patience will outlast your obstinacy. He will still be there for you.
I teach a class there each Spring to 3rd-year students called "Building Systems of Evangelism". These are amazing young people. They are from all over the world, Africa, South America, India, Central America, and even the USA.
CFNI Evangelism Class
Johnny Moffitt pictured with his 2017 Spring Class from CFNI -
These students will carry the Gospel where ever they go. Millions of people will choose to follow Christ through the ministry of those being trained in Bible schools like CFNI today. I am truly blessed to be part of it and see the hearts of these young Christians.
This is why what we do is so important. After many years in prison, this beautiful couple came to one of the WVIW Marriage seminars.
Virgil has now been free for 2 years and the are going back in with us to share Christ, show other couples they can make a wonderful marriage through Jesus.
Thank all of you who make this possible through your gifts and support.
-Johnny
Below is a sweet note we received from a wife from a recent marriage seminar. This is the reason we do what we have done since 1978.
"Betty, Just a note to say thanks to you, Johnny and the entire volunteer staff. It was even more exciting and informational then I had expected. I honestly thought it would be dull, boring, school text info, but it was nothing but exciting, powerful and extremely informative. The volunteers told awesome testimonies, and were down to earth, kind and caring. Every moment from start to finish each and every day held my attention, made me think, and opened my heart. I believe your seminar has truly helped my husband and I to see where we can and will improve our marriage. Spending time loving on him was just an added bonus. Ya'll have been a blessing that I will never forget, and will always have in my heart."
With a lot of love,
L.A.
We really appreciate all of your support and participation in this year's golf tournament. Below are the photos taken by our friend Prakash at this year's Golf Tournament.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”Hebrews4:16
A person who embraces grace with both arms, who stops fretting over their sin and begins focusing on their savior, who dries their tears so they see others who are hurting--- this is some kind of person.
God can use us wherever we are. Brand-new believer, teenage dynamo, thirty-something parent, recommitted midlifer, silver-haired saint. Whoever, wherever, God has plans for us.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
The only time a grace-filled person feels completely at peace is when they are being used by God for His glory. When we keep pouring His Word into our hearts, reading it on our own, hearing it taught, studying it with friends, that truth will begin spilling out. Thirsty people will be drawn to us, holding out their cups.
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17
This is what I have been teaching to my students at Christ for the Nations this year. God wants to use us all, but for that to happen we must be certain we keep ourselves filled up and walking in grace, in order for people to be drawn to the life-giving grace that is in us.
The folks on the sidelines feel obligated to point out our lack of qualifications—we don’t know enough, aren’t perfect enough, or haven’t been believers long enough—we can gently remind them that God has His own agenda and His own timetable.
Whatever experiences reside in our past or present, God can use them to mold a brighter future for others. You are more than enough. You have more than enough grace.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37
Not less than but more than, because of God’s love. Go and share His grace.
Johnny
Our three day Marriage Seminar had several salvations, recommitments and saved marriages.
These seminars are the primary focus of this ministry and has been for 22 years.
Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters for makeing it all possible.
Johnny
Very early this morning God woke me up with the words,"Secret addictions." I immediately thought, what is that all about.
I think many christians are hindered by one or more "secret addictions." 40 years ago, I was in bondage to a "secret addiction." I heard a minister say, "If you have a secret, you will have shame."
I found that to be true in my own life. Thank God we have a God who can deliver. When my shame began to interfer with my life, ministry, and marriage, I asked for help from Him. He touched me and delivered me from a very distructive "secret addiction."
He can and will do the same for you. Face your own "secret addiction". Ask God to deliver you. He will and He will destroy the shame.
I know, at least on some level, that God isn’t fair. He’s just, yes. But fair? Thankfully, no, God is not fair. After all, if He was fair, we would all be doomed. God is perfect. He doesn’t just appear to be perfect, He is perfect. He cannot tolerate imperfection, and believe me, I have plenty of imperfection.
If God were fair, He would require that I pay for my imperfections (i.e., my sins). Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. I am glad that, instead of being fair, God is gracious and sent His Son to pay the penalty for my sin (Romans 5:8).
The question is not, “Is God fair?” But, Is God good?” We cannot base our belief of God’s goodness on our circumstances. If we do, we will only view our situation as unfair. God is good…not because our lives are going well; He is good because He is good. When we settle in our hearts and minds that God is good, we can trust that He is working in our circumstances for our good.
Trust in the truth of God’s Word…He is good. He does good. And He will do it for you.
We are hosting a Texas Dept of Criminal Justice training at the Gateway Grand Prairie Campus on Saturday, Feb 25 from 9am-1pm.
Invite anyone who is interested in serving in Texas adult prisons.
If you are attending - email confirmation to: outreachgrp@gatewaypeople.com
Click Below to Download the Registration Form
REGISTER NOW!
Originally Published in the COPE Newsletter
Dear Friends,
2017 looks to be the greatest year for COPE since the early 2000’s. Our new director, Chandra Adams, is proving to be one of the hardest workers for COPE in our history. She is constantly on the road visiting members, prospective members, and related conferences to encourage, share the benefits, and recruit new members. We are indeed blessed to have her on staff.
As treasurer of COPE, I want to tell you that Chandra watches over the COPE funds with diligence and skill. We are growing and have many opportunities to be a blessing to prison ministers around the world. Several members of the board of COPE are working around the world, at their own expense, to help prison ministers wherever they may be.
Brent Bishop from Canada, not only is doing a great job there, he is also in Kenya, East Africa. William Bumphus, of Indianapolis, has been working in Nigeria for many years, as well as across the United States. Our Board President, Bunny Greenwood and her husband, Bobby Greenwood, a board member; myself and my wife and board member, Betty, are not only ministering in America, but Honduras, Mexico, and Cuba. We are building COPE in other nations as well as at home. COPE members are training prison ministers around the world. Come be part of it!!!
In order to maintain the integrity of the COPE organization and be the blessing to hundreds of ministries God has put us together to serve, we need financial support from you. Membership dues alone will not cover the expenses. This fellowship has faithfully served the prison volunteers and ministries for 30 years, all at zero cost to the ones we serve. You will not grow, if you do not give.
I am challenging you as a friend of COPE: if you are not a member—join today.
Whether you are a member or not, give to enable this fellowship to continue to do its work. Why not give a monthly gift to help us provide for our Director and an office where the prison ministers and officials of the world can contact COPE and get the help they need. We need each other!!!
Everyone can give something. Every ministry can do something. Any amount each month from all our members and friends will enable this fellowship to continue to minister and bless those ministries and prison volunteers who need our help. You can do something. Now is the time to do it. Go to the COPE web site, www.copeconnections.org, right now and make your commitment known. Let’s all pull together and make COPE great.
In His Service,
Johnny
Would you like an invitation to help at our next prison marriage seminar?
Three times a year we host a Marriage Seminar in a Texas prison.
This is an inexpensive short-term mission trip.
We would love for you to join us.
It will change your life and the life of the couples that your serve.
If you want to join us, please request an invitation.
(In-prison Seminar #1 of 3 this year)
