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NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CHAPLAIN MINISTRIES

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

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JBU STUDENTS TRAIN FOR JAIL MINISTRY

August 9 several students spent the evening on the John Brown University Campus attending a Jail Ministry Orientation Class. Joining them were others who had missed earlier opportunities for the required annual training. In anticipation of Covid-19 restrictions being lifted at

the Benton County Detention Center, the students were familiarizing themselves with the policies and procedures for Jail Ministers in the jail.

John Brown University has long had a connection with the Benton County Detention Center. For years students have served as jail ministers, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with men and women incarcerated there. In fact, one of the rooms dedicated for ministry is named after the university.

GOD ADDS AN EXCLAMATION MARK!

Following the training at JBU on August 9 Chaplain Jim Dixon joined those attending for soft drinks at McDonalds. While standing in line at the order counter, a young woman walked up to Chaplain Jiand asked, �Do you remember me? I�m Crystal. You baptized me last year!�

Crystal joined the JBU group and shared her testimony, and said through the jail ministry she had found Jesus Christ and had turned her life around as a result. It was as though God had orchestrated the opportunity for the students to learn first-hand about the impact the ministry has on inmates who attend the Bible Studies.

Crystal is one of many who have, following their release recognized Chaplain Jim as the one who baptized them. Some of them and others tell their stories at nwachaplains.com/Testimonies.htm

CHANGING LIVES IN THE FIELD

Though so much of the recognition the Chaplain Division receives at the Benton County Sheriff�s Office is because of the impact the jail ministers have in the Detention Center, the chaplains are actively working with deputies to provide emotional and spiritual support. Such is the case with former Deputy Barry Riggs, who now oversees a ministry serving

troubled teenagers in eastern Oklahoma. Barry is an Iraqi war veteran who, like many who served there, suffered from PTSD. He said in a recent interview that had it not been for chaplains who ministered to him and gave him hope, he might very well not be around today. His interview can be found at nwachaplains.com/Testimonies.htm.

Your support of Northwest Arkansas Chaplain Ministries helps make chaplain services available to the Benton County Sheriff�s Office and to other area law enforcement agencies and fire/EMS agencies in this area. Northwest Arkansas Chaplain Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation supported entirely by donations. You can support this ministry by giving online at nwachaplains.com/support.htm and follow the link to the online giving page, or by mail at the address on the link.