My Tenure With "Forgiven Choices"

Last night marked the end of my tenure with the prison ministry band, Forgiven Choices.   I have already begun my new responsibilities at the prison on the 4th Sunday morning of the month, with the prisoner church at Monroe Correctional Facility.

By way of history and background, for the last seven years, I've spent one Saturday evening per month going into the Minimum Security Unity (MSU) at the Monroe Correctional Center, with a prison ministry team called Forgiven Choices. We basically 'do church' in a little chapel at the facility, for the inmates.   Although, each time they announce our service over the loud-speaker, they call out, 'Forgiven Choices concert in the chapel!'.

Our team is led by none other than Bill Weldon (lead guitar, lead vocals, rock solid leader, group 'sponsor'.)   The team has expanded and contracted over the years; in fact, as I understand it, the team was originated by Daryl Jacobson (father to the now famous pastor of Calvary Chapel Arlington.)   At present though, the team is comprised of the following cast of characters: John Dominick (harmonica, percussion and preacher extraordinaire), Fred Jennings (the happy drummer), Ron Hogan (percussion, and evangelism partner),  Tim Dunham (bass player, super encourager, and race car builder/driver), Kevin Lang (very expressive backup vocalist who worships by exclaiming 'Jesus'), Doug Wallis (our Jewish scholar), and Wayne Wirth (true minister of our Lord and Savior's grace.)

We've seen inmates (AKA offenders) come and go.   We call the men that come to our meetings 'The Church on the Hill', since the whole correctional facility sits up on a hill in Monroe.   We are always encouraged by them.   They always express appreciation for us coming in to minister to them.  We lead them in the same worship songs we all sing at church, and then have a brief Bible study, led by one of the team members and then we spend time in fellowship, encouragement, counsel and prayer with the inmates.

As a worship band, we have also performed/led worship at a few other venues such as Shrimp Fest in Brinnon, Freedom Fest in Snohomish and Sunday morning worship services at Calvary Chapel Lake Stevens and Sunday morning worship service at LifePoint Church in Lake Stevens and Everett.

It has been a wonderful experience, but the LORD has called me to a new assignment as an overseer for the prisoner-led church on the fourth Sunday morning of every month.   Bill gave me the opportunity to lead the Bible study last night, so I spoke on First John chapter One.

Here are some pictures of the band...

 

God bless...