Upcoming Events at New Life

·      April 18 - Thursday night worship at the prison.  This month Chaplain Joel Brummel and students from Central College will participate in music ministry and fellowship.     

·      April 30 - 6pm to 9pm.  Training for new volunteers at the prison.  Contact Pastor Rick if you or someone you know may be interested.

·      May 9 to 12 - Brothers in Blue.  This is the first time since IFI shut down that Brothers-in-Blue will be held at Newton Prison.  It is a four day spiritual retreat that brings revival to the prison through the Spirit.  So far 75 inmates have signed up and 25 outside-team members will participate as well.

·      Pedal for Prisoners - Last year over $20,000 was raised for New Life Prison Community through Pedal for Prisoners.  Soon fundraising for this year's event will begin.  This year we'll have a split squad: Pastor Rick plans to Ride the Rockies in early June while three others pedal right through Pella during RAGBRAI in July.

He is Risen Indeed!

HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!  

On Maundy Thursday we had the opportunity to worship with the men at the Newton Prison.  We came in with about 24 volunteers, all eager to witness a baptism and 3 professions of faith.  What an awesome evening of remembering what Christ did for us on the cross and overcoming death on Easter day!  We loudly sang our praises of "Hosanna" and "My Redeemer Lives".  We also were privileged to have 2 brothers in Christ share their gift of song, as well as a poem from another.  After hearing an awesome message from Pastor Rick about "Death to Life”, we shared the Lord's Supper together.  We continued our praises with "At the Cross", "in Christ's Alone" and "Mighty to Save".  It was great to worship with the men and share our joy and love in Jesus together.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!  by Rose Admiraal

John M. Admiraal

My cousin John came for a visit in mid-March.  

My cousin John biked across the USA a few years ago

It coincided with our worship-leading at the minimum security prison in Newton.  So we took the advance lead time and gained security clearance for John to join us at the service.  Here are John's reflections on his Sunday worship experience behind prison walls.

"On Sunday, March 17 I had the pleasure of worshipping with fellow believers at Newton Prison in Newton, IA. Pastor Rick Admiraal, with New Life Prison Community and aided in music by his wife Rose, preached a message on Lazarus’ resurrection found in John 11. The message related well to our upcoming celebration of Easter. I was inspired by both the message as well as the openness of the inmates to share prayer concerns that were close to their hearts. This opportunity during my trip to Iowa was the icing on the cake during a great extended weekend."

Fires - Matt Redman

My wife Rose & I don't always like exactly the same music.  But both of us like Matt Redman's music.  I simply can't get enough of this song.  It fired up my drive to Iowa City today....it gave me the strength to face the day.  You're the fire in our eyes!

Art from Prison

When Piercing the Darkness visited prison on February 2, they set the tone early.  Their first song on their playlist was John Waller's "Our God Reigns Here."  The words address spiritual warfare and direct the evil forces to depart.  It was especially appropriate in the setting of the prison gym.  We were all about light and the darkness didn't belong!

Lyrics to the Waller Song

By the way, PTD is looking to return in mid-September.  Once again they will blow the roof off the prison gym in the Spirit of Christ.

Lead singer Steve Shettler (Left) & the band to revisit prison in the fall.

New Clothes for a New Year!

I know the new year is already two months old but here are some of the thoughts I've been thinking.  You need to have new clothes for the new year.  Not the type of clothes that tatter and fade but clothes that will last for eternity.  I'm talking about the clothes the Spirit gives you - as based on Paul's letter to the church of Colossians in chapter 3.  You can read about it here.

   Pella Chronicle Article

Or view a sermon I preached on the important topic here.

   Video Archive  (Select the Jan 20, 2013 6pm service)

Here's Paul's sermon in Col. 3.

   Col. 3:1-17