It’s Official We Are Back!
SEPTEMBER 2021
Since our last newsletter, we have facilitated our first weekend seminar of the year at NKSP (Delano). Three of us made the trip: Aaron, Tino and me. While many of the men have moved on to other prisons and others have been released, there were a few that remembered us from our previous visits. They all appreciated our time together. Arcadia and Mark H. should be joining us when we return in October. We have also confirmed that Kent, Tino, Arcadia, Aaron, Tanner and I are cleared to go into Salinas Valley State Prison this September; We are looking forward to our visit.
Saturday noon services started up again at Old Folsom and I had the privilege of being the first volunteer to preach since the COVID shutdown. I am hoping that the Spanish-speaking services will start up soon - at which time I will preach on the first Sunday of each month.
Chowchilla Women's Prison will be opening up to volunteers in September and, Lord willing, the Folsom women's facility will start allowing us back next month.
Our banquet is coming up! Unfortunately, we were not able to facilitate our annual fundraising banquet last year. It is critical that we have a successful event this year. While we will be celebrating 65 years of proclaiming the gospel to those behind walls, we hope and pray that we will continue to be faithful for many more years. We have invited men and women who have spent time behind those walls to share their testimonies. Each of them will share how the power of the gospel affected them.
To order tickets on line for our upcoming banquet on Friday, October 1, 2021, please visit our "Upcoming Events" page on our website: www.followupministries.org
On the 13th of August, Brother James Coleman left us to be with our Lord and Savior. I went to his service and had the privilege of hearing from his friends and family members. The words, "man of God" were stated several times by those who knew him best. His life was a wonderful example to so many. He served with us at FUMI for over 25 years, teaching the Word of God to both young and old in youth facilities and various jails. James also served with his wife Ruby in Mexico as a missionary and was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist church in Oakland.
Remembering Ruben Martinez
On August 28th, Reuben Martinez went to be with the Lord. Many years ago - around 1995 - a man came to my church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Union City. He came to teach us about a prison ministry organization called "Follow Up." I remember being so disinterested in everything he had to say. That man was Ruben Martinez. Without getting into the how and why, we ended up becoming very close. I spent many days with Ruben, traveling and visiting prisons together throughout California - as well as one in Spokane, Washington. He was a wonderful role model for me and so many others.
We knew so much about each other, and we enjoyed talking about the Word of God. I learned so much from him; He was a true man of God. Ruben faithfully ministered in many facilities with FUMI for over 25 years. Most recently, he was leading bible studies at the Stockton prison. He also graded the correspondence lessons from Spanish speaking inmates. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Within the FUMI Family There Are Examples of THOSE WHO DO MORE
Arcadio Serrano works full-time as an arborer and volunteers in jails and attends weekend seminars in various prisons with FUMI. The men behind bars love his enthusiasm for the Lord. If that sounds like a busy enough schedule, he also serves with his church in ministry to the homeless. They give out food and clothing while sharing the gospel to the homeless in Oakland. When we go for weekend visits, Arcadio usually shows up early just before we go in, which means he gets very little sleep. That's commitment.
Ben Jennings
Brother Ben Jennings is a long-time board member and also serves in jails. A few years ago, he became aware of an opportunity to help people that were going in and out of courts. Many are anxious for their loved ones that are involved in the court system and are in search for answers and comfort. Ben saw the need and stepped up, and has become a part of what is called Courtside Ministries They set up outside the building and offer to pray for all. They meet with judges, lawyers, law enforcement, and people passing by the court. They pray for families, individuals and employees of the courthouse. They have many people stop by the table for prayer. You are welcome to join the group of men and women who serve through prayer.