New Pastor Does Prison Time

The Banner recently printed an article about Rick & Rose Admiraal planting a church in the Newton Prison.


Banner News Article

First Service

We had a wonderful first service at the Newton Prison on Holy Thursday.  God blessed it and paved the way for things to go quite smoothly.  Despite the fact that we had a lot of music, sound, and communion supplies, the corrections officers at the front desk were extremely cooperative.  We were able to start the service on time.  Twelve volunteers came with different responsibilities.  Some helped with music, others helped with sound, others served & prepared communion, others preached (me).  The message was called "Memory of a Meal" and it was based on Luke 22:7-30.  This is a wonderful text about the Last Supper in the Upper Room.  Jesus is so gracious to us, giving us a wonderful Meal to Remember Him by.  In the prison it was no different.  Communion was the highlight of the worship service.

  Approximately 80 inmates were in attendance.  There were some familiar faces that had been part of our New Life Bible study and prayer groups.  But other men I had never seen before.  Whether brand new or familiar faces, it made no difference.  It was a great joy to serve communion to each one.  As they came forward in very orderly fashion, it was an incredible joy to say to each man: The body of Christ, given for you.  I thought it would be an extremely emotional experience for me since it was my first time serving communion as an ordained Minister of Word and Sacraments.  However, I maintained my composure until the very end when Pastor Sheldon said to me: The body of Christ, given for you.  And The blood of Christ, shed for you.  And I felt the love of God touch my tongue.  It moved me to know deep down that Jesus also died for me.  Isn't our God amazing?  


For many of the guys, it was rare to have communion in prison.  One of the men said that it was the pinnacle of his 7 years in prison.  Another man said, the worship service wasn't good...it was great!  I agree.  May God give us many more opportunities to serve & worship at Newton Prison.  To Him be the glory!

I want to spend the rest of my life ALIVE!

WARNING: This song rocks.


The lyrics spark my thinking about prison.
   I am my own affliction...
      There ain't no drug to make me well...
         The sickness is myself...
            We lock our souls in cages...


It's hard to free the ones you love,
   When you can't forgive yourself!
      I've made a mess of me,
         I wanna spend the rest of my life alive!

Tulip Time is Only a Week Away!

Tulip time in Pella is only a week away!  It should be quite an adventure for the Admiraal family, experiencing their very first Tulip Time as residents of Pella.  We live only one block north of the square in Pella so we should witness tons of Tulip Time Traffic!  Here are a few random notes about Tulip Time 2011.


Wednesday - Pastor Art runs the Klompen Classic 5K Road Race.  Run like the wind!
Thursday - twice daily parades begin.  Life continues at the prison where New Life has its Thursday night Bible study at 6pm.  We're studying The Passion of Christ: Uphill Faith.  Great topic.  Excellent resource.
Friday - Rick bikes on the 21-seat Big Red Bike in the Tulip Time Parade.
Saturday - Final day of Tulip Time.  Rick & Rose volunteer at the Pella Christian School food booth.

Volunteer Rally

We had an incredible volunteer rally on April 16th.  There were nearly 30 people in attendance at Calvary's Youth House in Pella.  Mary Mortenson, the executive director of Prison Congregations of America, traveled all the way from Sioux Falls.  Dan Kingery, one of two chaplains at Vermeer Corp., shared insights gained from his experience with IFI (Innerchange Freedom Initiative) at the Newton Prison.  I spoke about Vision and Volunteers, opening up with devotions from Philippians 2.  Needless to say it was a great day!

The 3 presenters: Dan Kingery, Mary Mortenson & Pastor Rick

Mary & Pastor Art deep in conversation

Michael Dunn (right) does re-entry in Ames, Iowa: The Matthew 25 House

Glenda is an enthusiastic volunteer & member of the Launch team

Christ is risen from the dead!

Christ is Risen

In Luke 24, the risen Christ appears to two travelers on the Way.  At first, they don't recognize him.  As the Stranger explains how the Law and the Prophets point to Christ, their hearts burn within them.  Gradually Jesus reveals himself to them.  At last, the 7 mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus is complete.  The two travelers invite the Stranger into their home to share a meal.  Jesus takes the bread that they offer, gives thanks to God, breaks the bread, and gives it to them.  At this moment, their eyes were opened.  They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.


Here is a connected prayer that you may use at lunchtime.


Bless my Monday quests.
Bless the fruits of the earth.
Bless the hands of farmers.
Bless the hands of workers.
Bless the texture and colors of my food.
Bless those who gather.
Bless the breaking of the bread.
Blessed Be!  Blessed Be!  Blessed Be!
Christ at every table,
Christ behind me,
Christ around me,
In the breaking of the bread.


Amen.