Special Message to Donors

From Rev. Glenn L. Morrison, President, Follow Up Ministries, Inc.

Dear Friend:

As Christians, we have every spiritual gift. That is because we have the original "Gift Giver" living within us — Jesus Christ!

It has been said that if all the spiritual "gifts" were represented by pieces of candy in a box, the "box" would be Jesus Christ Himself. "If you want the candy, you have to have the Box!" Without the Box, you cannot have the candy.

The spiritual gift of "giving" however is extra-special to us, because Follow Up could not continue for long in its mission work without donors — givers led by God to prayerfully support this home mission work among prisoners.

Follow Up Ministries, Inc. is a Christian non-profit corporation with headquarters in Castro Valley, California. It is a "home mission" — equipping Christian men and women to serve the spiritual needs of prisoners since 1956. Gifts to Follow Up are tax-deductible.

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It is largely a "volunteer" ministry. Volunteer God Squad supplies workers and leaders. Volunteer Prayer Intercessors supply prayer for the work. Volunteer Financial Supporters supply the funds needed to make it all work.

Gifts to Follow Up Ministries are handled carefully. Every detail is overseen by our Board and professional Staff, to make sure your gifts are used for the purposes you intend.

Your gifts to Follow Up Ministries are used sparingly. Our total annual budget for General Fund typically is about $190,000. That's less than many private families make. That sum supports the work of our volunteer God Squad, distribution of Bible Studies, discipleship seminars in prisons in a number of states, support for chaplains and pastors, and other vital programs that promote the cause of Jesus Christ "behind the walls."

Your gifts support a dynamic "home mission." Overseas mission has always been important, but we face unprecedented needs to bring the Gospel to a culture that has become increasingly troublesome — the "crime" culture attacking America's inner cities. This is an extremely important world mission field, worthy of your attention and support. By including Follow Up in your benevolence schedule, you help provide "foot soldiers" to carry the spiritual battle for souls behind prison walls.

Your gifts are "leveraged" in furthering the Gospel. Not only are volunteers used wherever possible (saving thousands in salaries and expenses because they pay their own way), but their very efforts are leveraged by their focus on "disciple-making". The God Squad is equipped with special skills to raise up disciples inside the walls — to carry on the battle as "inside missionaries" representing Jesus Christ in their cell block. They bear visible witness of his healing grace, and share their faith with other prisoners in places where even chaplains may not go.

Your support supplies vital needs. The world of "Corrections" finds itself today in desperate need. Courts are sending more and more prisoners to prison, while tax-payers demand that costs be reduced. Budgets are being stretched. The chaplaincy especially has been hard hit. There are fewer professional chaplains per capita than at any time in the past. New prisons are being built with three, four and even five separate chapels to serve the various yards, but there are no new chaplains being supplied. Sincere and godly chaplains are hard-pressed for time and resources to meet the needs of their flocks. Trained volunteers can help chaplains meet the need.

This is a marvelous time. It's a great opportunity to reach men and women, boys and girls, with the claims of Jesus Christ. Prisoners are open to the Word, hungry to receive it, thirsting for the comfort of the saving knowledge of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This deep yearning of soul can only be experienced first-hand; we hope you'll make the time to search out a jail volunteer or chaplain and learn for yourself just how urgent these needs are today.

Spiritual renewal is the answer to the crime problem. These prisoners won't always be prisoners; most of them are coming back to our streets and workplaces. If they were criminals when they went to jail, chances are they'll be criminals when they get out. The average length of stay in a California state prison is about 21 months. With 156,000 prisoners in California prisons, that's a lot of criminals coming back to the streets. If they are not changed by the Gospel while they're inside, they are guaranteed trouble for society when they get out. 

But a genuine Christian is different. The in-dwelling Holy Spirit begins to change things right away — "newness of life" is refreshingly visible in the jail setting. Values begin to change, character starts to strengthen and deepen, new skills develop, and with it a growing sense of integrity and self-control. Inmates learn how to feed themselves spiritually through Scripture, prayer and fellowship with other Christians. You are in a position to make a huge difference in a lot of lives — lives that need Jesus Christ...now!

Please take a moment to pray about this special mission field of Christian endeavor. Ask God to guide your thoughts and feelings in regard to your responsibilities to Him and to His children who are locked up behind bars. Please consider the practical value of changed lives. Reflect on the eternal value of a soul saved from darkness to abide in His Eternal Light. Then be blessed in doing as He may lead.

We appreciate your reading this. We appreciate your sincerity in seeking God's guidance in using the resources — the "treasure" — which He in love has provided.

God bless you richly is our prayer!

Gratefully yours in His service,

Glenn L. Morrison
President