Romans 1:8-15 (ESV)- 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Dear Friends and Family,
Because of the continued uncertainty from the Illinois Department of Corrections, our Directors have made the decision to cancel our Illinois Saints Prison Ministry season. So far it is just our team that has been cancelled, but other teams will follow suit if things don’t change in the next few weeks. I do know that the Directors and the Board are working on a financial solution that balances the support raised for this year with the behind-the-scenes expenses incurred on our behalf and are figuring out what that means for 2021. I am told that decision will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
That news was a tough pill to swallow as I was looking forward to visiting Illinois prisons and sharing the Gospel there this summer. Ultimately, I have a peace about it (I mean, I had a peace about buying the bus, too so please take that into consideration as you read this). One of the ways that God has been working in me the last several years is by teaching me that He is sovereign. He is ultimately in control and uses every circumstance for His good. Panic and despair are still idols in my life from time to time, but it is good to know that God ordained 2020 to happen the way it did. I believe that if God wanted us to visit prisons this summer, we would be there, whether we liked it or not!
In the passage I have shared above in Romans 1, Paul’s visit to this church in Rome keeps not working out. It’s apparent that Paul is frustrated that he is just unable to visit this church. He knew it was the Lord who had thus far prevented him from coming to Rome. Going through the last few months as a Missionary Athlete without a mission, I have had a new appreciation for Romans 1 and Paul’s opening part of his letter to the Romans. Even though Paul knows that God is sovereign and in control, he doesn’t use that as an excuse not to pray for the church at Rome. Paul is content with the will of God but nevertheless keeps on asking and seeking God to work. Paul wants to see the Romans and keeps praying to that end, all the while knowing that God might not grant that request. Please pray that we would be able to see these guys soon. Continue to pray for the believers behind the walls that they would be encouraged and please pray for those who don’t know the Lord. The good news is that God doesn’t need us anyway. His Word will continue to be preached, and men will continue to come to know Him during this lockdown.
With all of that being said, there are Crusades still on the schedule. The ministry is still hopeful that we will make visits to Georgia, and Louisiana this fall. Please join me in praying that these three states will open up in time for us to visit. I am still hopeful that I will be able to attend at least one of these trips.
Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support towards the ministry this year. Please continue to pray for our mission field in prison. There are men who need to hear about how Jesus died for their sins and how they need to repent and believe. There are men who are brothers in Christ who live there that need to be encouraged during this time. Please pray that believers behind the walls will be encouraged that God is still in control.
I will be providing updates as we get closer to the three out of state trips.
Thank you again for your continued prayer and encouragement!
Thanks,
Tom Gibson
