Prison Baptism: "HEY, WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?"

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16

Our team is preparing by putting on our armor for the mighty battle that is lying ahead. The inmates have asked that we conduct a baptism in prison. (This is not as easy as one may think.) We have prison rules, regulations, policies, permission and health requirements to work around. Our church has their own procedures that we must follow as well. When it is all done and said, God continues to reign and we are now off and running with a three part series on Baptism.

Tomorrow night - Baptisms Purpose: "Hey, What's Stopping You?"

January 11th - Baptism Preparation: "Embracing and Sharing Your Messy Story!"

January 25th - (Actual Testimonies and Baptism) Baptism's Power: 

"Now's Your Chance For A Power-filled, Victorious Life!"

We need an army of prayer intercessors to help. Are you willing? The following are the ongoing requests for the Series:

• I urge you to pray for the entire ministry team's protection from Satan's attacks during and after the service.
• Please petition to the Lord that the unsaved, hurting and demon-possessed inmates will come to all three services and be saved.
• May the Holy Spirit convict those called, stir hearts towards repentance and receive Christ as Lord - Yahoo!
• That many will share their testimony and be baptized at the final service. 
• Pray this Baptism will be joyous celebration for our Lord and Savior.
• Pray that a revival for Christ would move through the prison like a great tsunami. 

I look forward to hearing how the Lord spoke to you through prayer. 

Hey, by the way, have you been baptized yet?  And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. Acts 22:16  

Serving shoulder to shoulder with you!

Shug 

"WHAT DO I DO WHILE I WAIT IN PRISON?"

Waiting is rough! All of us have something we are waiting for whether in prison or not.

Waiting for lawyers, court decisions, boot camp acceptance, waiting to get released... waiting for answers to your prayers?

Time seems to drag on when you are waiting... "How do I wait on the Lord and what do I do while I am waiting?" This question has been brought up many times, no matter where you are in the world.




God gives us direction on waiting...

"What NOT to do while you are waiting?"

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 

2nd Corinthians 4:16

"What DOES waiting ACHIEVE?"

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 

2nd Corinthians 4:17

Not a moment of suffering is wasted. God knows your pain and your suffering. He knows your heart and when you get weary. He knew you before you were even born, he knows your name and that you are waiting.

Will you rise - up and grab ahold of the promise that awaits you?

Your troubles will never seem momentary or light, we weren't promised an easy life as a Christian, but God did promise he will comfort, guide, empower and love us in the middle of our troubles. For our lives are a short mist or vapor compared to the future eternal hope that awaits you when you put your faith in Jesus Christ!

"What DO I DO while I am waiting?"

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but that is unseen is eternal." 

2nd Corinthians 4:18

Be VICTORIOUS:

1. Refuse to get discouraged. Are you frustrated? Don't lose heart, remind yourself that you are created perfectly and with great purpose for God. Get back on track and...
2. Grasp the purpose waiting achieves. How can this situation be used to glorify God? Use this opportunity to glorify Christ in you. The world will give you trouble, but you are resurrected and made new in Christ. So...
3. Fix your eyes on Jesus. What do you focus on in the middle of your struggle? Ask yourself; "How Big is my problem? How Big is my God?" My God is so big and so strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do!

Waiting upon the Lord is an action... rise-up and use this time to get busy for God!

ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!

POWERFUL! We will never know Shine In The World International Ministries (S.W.I.M.) full impact in the district of Musanze, Rwanda until we see Christ face to face. We shared the truth of the Gospel with 78,000 people. Thousands raised their hands and received salvation through Jesus Christ.

I will never forget the people, the inmates faces and the children. (See Kinderroot Ministries) www.kinderroots.org

To share the Gospel from one end of the earth to the other and see God transform hearts is amazing. Anywhere in the world, it doesn't matter who you are, what language you speak, or where you live...

 there is power in the name of Jesus! 

Many children have parents that were part of the Genocide.
We could learn from this little child's surrender to Christ in prayer.

ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,
in any language,
there is power in the name of Jesus!

This cute Musanze orphan is waiting
for you to adopt her.
Anywhere in the world,
do you know someone who has room in their heart for her?

PROSTITUTES, WITCHES, ADDICTS, ADULTERERS and PRISONERS... ALL Loved By Jesus in Musanze, Rwanda!

As requested by the Rwandan Government, we traveled north near the Congo to Rubavu
to share "Hell's Best Kept Secret."
Hundred's rejoiced as they were saved by the truth of the Gospel.

At each prison, we are meeting the inmate's physical needs along with their spiritual needs.
The Government asks that we bring supplies along when we share the Gospel.
Our supporters generously gave needed essentials for the inmates of the prisons.
(Food, soap, shoes, clothes, toilet paper and Bibles.)
The Director of the Musanze Prison graciously receiving our supplies.

I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS PRISON'S IN AFRICA,

but, I will never forget the Musanze District and Rubavu Prison's in Rwanda.

On this trip, I watched the Gospel of Jesus melt the hearts of men, women and children, young and old.

God would answer our prayers as we specifically prayed for the 

Prostitutes, Witches, Addicts, Adulterers and Prisoners.

There is POWER in the name of "JESUS!"

An unbelievable story of the dark underworld.

On my third visit that week to the same prison, I wondered who God would hand-pick to join His Kingdom today?  I shared the truth of the Gospel and gave them an opportunity for the invitation. I rejoiced again as I witnessed 180 new inmates raise their hands high for Christ. I then began to share a few "Now What?" steps for them to follow.

This is where the unusual happened...  

I felt the Spirit urge me to stop and ask: "Is there someone here who missed their chance to say "YES" to Jesus and would like to repent and receive Him now?" I looked around... no hands up in the air.. Mmmm, I thought for sure I understood God's Spirit? Without response, I continued on with my final thoughts. When out of the corner of my eye, walked up two large men, they stood right in front of me and wanted to receive Christ. 

Each person has their own unique stories, I usually am not able to hear the stories of each one of the saved... but God knows. Today, I had the privilege to learn about these two men as they shared their stories. 

One man wanted to repent of his past sins and was desperate for Christ as His Savior. 

The second man had been battling with the witch-craft underworld. He had shared how he was successful in this dark world. He married a female spirit and he was now fearful as her spirit was coming to him in his sleep and trying kill him by strangulation. He thought his life was over and he feared to shut his eyes and sleep.

Now in prison, he walked up to our service out of curiosity. As he listened to the Gospel and love of Christ, 

the POWER of God's Gospel ripped open his hardened heart. 

When I obediently made the second call, it gave this man an opportunity to surrender his life over to Christ. He was desperately seeking forgiveness, ready to begin a new life! 

Suddenly, the inmate's were dancing and celebrating because of what they had witnessed God do all week.

"HALLELUJAH!"

Waiting to hear the Gospel in a remote village by the Congo.

Sharing the urgency of our need for a Savior, to the prostitutes, addicts, and adulterers in the villages around Rwanda.
Notice the people on the outside rim, those were the one's that God was speaking to in a life-changing way!

 Watching souls cross over from death to life...

"It just doesn't get any better than this!"

God Is Going To "Rock the Rebels" in Musanze, Rwanda

JOIN ME as I answer God's call to preach the gospel and "rock the rebels" in PRISONS around the world... I'm now off to northern district of Musanze, Rwanda August 1-13th, 2013 with S.W.I.M. Ministries.

"Are you nervous?" This is the first question people ask me when they learn of my upcoming journey to the Rwandan prisons. I find myself pausing, trying to verbalize the best description of my feelings.

"I cannot wait to see what God is going to do on this trip!"

There is never a dull moment with God and I don't expect any less on this trip as well. I have a BIG God who deeply loves those on the fringe of society and wants them to be saved. "If you believe, you will be saved." 

Stay tuned... I will post as I gain Internet connections (which last time was only in airports and rare locations). In the meantime I could use your prayers...

PERSONALLY:

Freedom in the Holy Spirit that He will work powerfully through me as I prepare and speak.

1. For physical safety and spiritual safety for my family and team.
2. No one will get sick.
3. Safe non-eventful travel.

(Photo received from Internet)

Prison Ministry, Open Air Preaching and Church Sermons:

1. We may all be able to reach out to the dark corners of Rwanda to the lost, lonely and unsaved with the Gospel of Christ.
2. That Satan will be bound and held helpless from any disruption.
3. I will be delighted in every MOMENT of the trip.
4. I will see and love the people of Rwanda as Christ does.
5. I will preach the Gospel Truth BOLDLY!
6. That thousands of souls will be won for Christ and cross over from death to live. 

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.  Ephesians 6:9

"YOU GOTTA ADMIT, IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!"

How I value your friendship, support and prayers.

Shug

"HELL'S BEST KEPT SECRET" Exposed In Nairobi, Kenya

Shug Bury with a small handful of men in the large Kimiti Maximum Security Prison.
This was one of three prisons;
Kamiti Men's Prison, Industrial Area Remand Prison, Lang'ata Women's Prison in which she was invited to preach.
(This was the only area the team was able to take pictures.)

Exposing "Hell's Best Kept Secret" in the Kimiti Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi, Kenya.

These Kamiti prison brave young juveniles stood up for  Christ!

Way Of The Master www.wayofthemaster.com 

method not only works in the U.S.A.... 

not only works on the streets of Israel... 

but works powerfully in Nairobi, Kenya as well.

Nairobi Upper Hill High School students enjoying the questions Shug is asking their schoolmate.

Students from Upper Hill High School enjoyed the banter as I posed a few questions to a fellow classmate.

• Do you think you are a good person? 
• Do you believe in the ten commandments? 
• May I ask you three questions to see if you are a good person?

1. Have you ever lied before? (Liar)
2. Have you ever stolen anything before? (Thief)
3. Have you ever used the Lord's name in vain? By dragging your creator God's name through the mud? (Blasphemer)

• So by your own admission... you are a "lying, thieving, blasphemer, is that correct?" That is only three of the ten commandments!

• Would you be judged by God guilty or innocent of keeping the ten commandments?

• Would you be going to heaven or to hell?

Everyone got a big laugh out of the questions, but after I explained, they understood their desperate need for a Savior! 

God opened the floodgates as a river of students stood up for Christ that morning in a "Christian" school! 

These students came in as boys... but left as powerful men in Christ!

Praise God for His mighty work in Kenya! "Hallelujah!"

Kimiti Prison Juveniles

My next S.W.I.M. trip is planned for August... God willing... in the prisons and villages in Musanze, Rwanda! In the meantime, I'm sharing locally in prisons, churches, and MN Teen Challenge.

Thank you for your trust, continued financial support and prayers. It just doesn't get any better than this... rescuing souls for Christ's kingdom.

Shug

Tax Deductable donations can be made out to S.W.I.M. Ministries and sent to:

Shug Bury

P.O. Box 5477

Hopkins, MN 55331

Nairobi Prison's Were Not What I Thought They Would Be!

I arrived expecting to see horrific conditions in the prisons of Nairobi, Africa. I had read notorious accounts of prison life and the terrible conditions of the prison. What I experienced and saw were quite unexpected...

My first invitation to preach was at the Industrial Area Remand Prison. As much as I would have liked to share photos with you, it is forbidden because of security reasons. (This is standard in most prisons around the world.)

My first impression when I came through the gate was the outer courtyard was different than some prisons. It was well landscaped and manicured. The officers I met were friendly and courteous. (Which isn't always the case in prisons.) I was thinking to myself; "I'm sure it is not like this on the inside, deep within the prison walls? Can it be this orderly and clean?"

We had to wait quite awhile before we were ushered into the actual prison. Security is high and for good reason. This "Remand" prison is the place where people who are arrested go and wait for their court hearings. In Africa this system can be multiple years at best. There are over 600-900 male inmates being held here at any given time.

As I entered inside the prison walls I was suspicious, expecting filth, decay, unlivable conditions. As I followed the officers around the corner, the first thing I saw were several inmates watering down the floors and sweeping them clean in the outdoor courtyard. I was surprised as they led me into the “actual” living quarters of the inmates to speak to the male juveniles. When I looked around, I noticed the bunk beds were properly made and the rooms were surprisingly in order. Please keep in mind, this is still a prison but well maintained.

What God did was amazing. Throughout the Gospel message, you could see God touch each those young hearts.  All but two of these juveniles got on their knees at the end of the message and surrendered their lives to Jesus. “They arrived as boys and will be leaving this prison as men of God.”  Awesome!

I was later ushered to the main outdoor courtyard where I spoke to the adult population. There were men throughout the courtyard curious as to what this blonde-haired, white woman was going to say. The officers asked me to come around to the other side of the fence that partitions off the courtyard. I was surprised to discover this is where I was to give the message... on the other side of this fence partition. This was a new experience for me, to preach with a chain-link fence between the inmates and myself.

I was concerned my voice would not project enough for all to hear without a microphone. Realizing the conditions, the team quickly prayed for my voice. Not only did God project my voice like an amplifier... but I could hear it echoing off of the walls throughout the entire prison! Despite the many obstacles, God did a great work  - He flowed through that prison like a mighty river, and many men came to Christ!

Afterwards, it is proper to say hello to the officials in charge in Africa. We could learn from this practice in America. I was escorted out to meet the Commissioner of the entire Providence. A Providence is similar to a very large and heavily populated county in the U.S.  I also met the Commanding Officer of the Industrial Area Remand Prison. 

When I was escorted into their offices, I was overjoyed to be greeted by impressive strong leaders... who to my surprise... both happen to be women!  This excellence in leadership and prison appearance is accomplished because the top level of leadership in Nairobi prisons is run by quality women... (and men) of excellence!

Thank you Jesus - these inmates deserve our very best!

"Hell's Best Kept Secret" in Evangelism!

What is Hell's Best Kept Secret in evangelism? 

I believe we have done an injustice in how we share the Gospel with people on the streets and in prisons. We either tend to bend too far in one direction or too far in the other.


In one direction... we tend to share the "Cotton Candy" message of the Bible; the mercy, grace and sweet taste of... "Do you want a better life with Christ?" 

Don't get me wrong, this is an important part of scripture, but it is the "Frosting" of our faith not the long-lasting meat.  

This message does not teach the entire truth of the Bible. It does not save and often brings a false conversion lacking substance. 

At the first glimpse of trouble, these believers fall away feeling embarrassed that they believed and that this loving God has not protected them from the hard times.




In the far opposite direction... we pound the Bible over inmate's heads and only emphasize they are all sinners bound for hell. I can confidently say this approach doesn't work. Most inmate's have heard countless times that they are outcasts of society and they feel hopeless. 

Please tell me, what is attractive about the Gospel when hell and damnation is the core message? Who would even bother coming to church when they feel condemned and rejected by God.

Hell's Best Kept Secret... 
We are not leading the conversation like Christ. (Matthew 19:16-22)

So what's wrong? We fail to take the time to prepare the soil properly. 

I have found in sharing the Good News, inmates need to have the hard "soil" of their souls stirred and prepped before they receive the Truth of the Gospel. 


This method of stirring the soil is so effective, that even last week when I was street evangelizing in Tel Aviv, Israel, a muslim and several Jews stood still and listened intently. I believe God can use this style of sharing in a loving, fun way to prepare their hearts to say "YES" to Jesus.

 

Sharing with a young Jewish woman in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Notice the officer watching and waiting for me to do something wrong so he can stop me.
We were having a fun conversation and laughing using this method.

I am listening intently to the woman share her concerns.
God allowed me to lead her all the way to the throne of God.
She said; "This is interesting and it all makes sense." 
She was amazed when I mentioned maybe this was a God appointment.

This Orthodox Jew was thinking and listened intently.

She hugged me and was grateful I shared the Gospel Truth with her.

Do you dare to try it? This is the same method Jesus used in the Bible as our example. When the soil is prepared using God's Ten Commandments, which is His standard for righteousness, seeds grow where they are planted.

I recently role played this method in front of hundreds of inmates with a team member during our prison church. It was powerful! You could feel God's Spirit flowing through the prison. It works!

To take it a step further, this upcoming church service I am planning on teaching this method of evangelism to the inmates themselves, they will then have tools to minister inside of the prison.

Plain and simply... God's way works!

Here is the free video link for your reference. www.wayofthemaster.com/videolessons.shtml

Check out the first and the last video: 

"Hell's Best Kept Secret." and "W.D.J.D."    

The first video shares "why" we need this approach and the last video shares the "how" to share the Gospel.

Why reinvent the wheel? Instead use Christ's example? It is an easy and effective way to share with everyone the Gospel.

If you dare... will you allow God to use this method to love the inmates to the cross in prisons around the world! 

These inmates deserve our very best!



It just doesn't get any better than this!

Shug

I Need Your Help!

Dearest Friends in Christ,

I could smell the stench… and hear the singing right before the huge massive doors swung open at the Rusuzi Prison in Rwanda. I was warned what to expect, I have been serving in the U.S. prisons for over 7 years – there shouldn’t be any big surprises - no problem, right?  I knew it would not be like the prisons here, but what I saw and experienced was far more than I could have ever imagined…

When the vast doors opened, I was escorted into the courtyard of the prison holding 3,500 men who were incarcerated for all levels of crime. The front-page headline of the Rwandan newspaper heralded; “Witchdoctor Skins Boy!” These are the very men God has called me to visit. 

As I took my first step inside, I felt I was walking into one of those old “Where’s Waldo” books.  Imagine, thousands of faces everywhere… faces lining the hallways, faces crammed in the courtyard and faces trying to peer through the small prison windows…

…They were all curious to see what this white haired, middle-aged, white woman was going to share?

I wish you could have seen it! The weathered faces of the tough prisoners, miraculously melting from the power of the God’s Word. After describing in vivid detail three stories from the Bible, the call was simply made:

“You already have had a small taste of how miserable hell can be while here in prison!”

“The Good News is Jesus knows your name, you are loved and not forgotten. One Word from Jesus and all witchcraft, voodoo and demon worship can be cast out of your life.  Jesus is coming through your prison today and wants to forgive and heal you of your darkest sins. Raise you hand high if …”

What happens next still takes my breath away!  During the prayer, I witnessed hand after hand held high saying, “YES” to Jesus from the Truth of the Gospel. These same hardened faces were weeping from their brokenness and yet were filled with joy at the same time. Jesus was unlocking the chains of sin… and if you listened closely, you could hear the chains collapse on the prison floor.

Countless weary hands rose high in the air, surrendering their lives over to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They crossed over from death to eternal life that day. Wow!

Don’t worry… we did not leave them there to fend for themselves.

S.W.I.M. (Shine On The World International Ministries) had prepared months before I even arrived.  Not only did they make preparations with the Government, but they also had a worship band in place with electric guitars, speakers, microphones etc.  SWIM provided translators and transportation, housing, water and food. Trained teams were sent ahead to work with the local churches equipping them to walk alongside these new believers after we leave.

“I was impressed with how much S.W.I.M. MINISTRIES accomplished - squeezing every last penny from the dollars that were selflessly donated

What’s next?

I have been invited to share the love of Christ May 22-June 4^th in Nairobi, Africa to the Juvenile Correctional Facilities, Prisons, Universities and Churches.  I later return August 1-14 to a new area of Rwanda speaking to the Prisoners and providing basic needs. Our S.W.I.M. team last year shared the Gospel to over 84,000 people on one trip, bringing needed supplies to the prisoners and children. Amazing!

“I am asking if you will join me to save lives in the dark corners of the prisons?”

I need to provide $15,000.00 to go towards supplies and expenses for the inmates for these two trips. As of 6/5/13 people have generously given from their hearts with $5,400.00. Only $9,600.00 to go.* 

(*As of the beginning of August it was all received by generous donors, see post on 8/19/13. Please continue to give as God prompts you for our next trip in 2014)

Simply stated, “I cannot do this without your help.”

Where does this money go? In order to go into the prisons of Africa, the Government requires us to bring essential supplies for the inmates. The Government barely supplies the basic needs for inmates and depends on the families to provide. No family? It is survival mode for the inmates and their babies. (Yes, there are children in the prisons of Africa.)

• Bales of food     Bibles
• Clothing            Blankets
• Jackets              Prison Baby Clothes

Inmates are people just like you and me and Jesus calls us go to them as well.

Together, will you serve with me by donating to SWIM Ministries for this life saving mission?

I have a big ASK and we have a BIG God.  

“You are blessed to be a blessing!”

Please make checks out to H.I.M. MINISTRIES

and send your tax deductable contribution to:

H.I.M. MINISTRIES

P.O. Box 87

Chanhassen, MN 55317

Most of all I need your prayers… prayers for protection and God’s power as He speaks through me. Please pray that I would have God’s unconditional love for these broken people.

Shug