8 Questions for Rev. Mark Porter

God Sets the Prisoner Free: Spotlight on Rev. Mark Porter

Rev. Mark Porter came to the New Life Worship service on October 18th.  Mark is the pastor of the Friends Church in Lynnville, Iowa.  On that Thursday night worship service, Lynnville Friends was well-represented as 21 visitors provided music and fellowship.

1. Tell us about yourself & your family.

            I am married to wife Lindsey.  We have two boys, Julian age 7 and Waylen 8 months. We live in Lynnville, Iowa. We enjoy fishing, playing games, rodeos and God.

Rev. Mark & Lindsey Porter of Lynnville, Iowa

2. How have things changed dramatically for you in the last few years?

            After being released from prison on March 30, 2010, I have experienced blessing after blessing as I have followed hard after the Lord  (Psalm 63:8 KJV). I have graduated from Crown College with a B.S. in Christian Ministries; I have been licensed as a Pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Denomination, working toward ordination; We've had Waylen; I became Pastor of Lynnville Friends Church in October 2012.

3. Why do you feel inspired to help men in prison?

            I feel called to give back where I was so touched while I served in prison. I believe the Lord blesses us to be a blessing, and coming to visit and spur on the men in prison is something the Lord laid on my heart even before I left prison. Hebrews 13:3 in the NKJV says “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them”, and this is something I take to heart.

4. What was it like for you to share your testimony & preach at our October worship service?

            It was a highlight of mine to come back and share with the saints at the Newton Prison. I felt the Lord’s presence there and many, many emotions flooded my heart and soul as I stepped foot back behind the walls.

5. Describe how it felt for you to return to prison in a totally different capacity.

            It's funny because as the men came into the gym, I really still saw myself as one of them. I think I will always have a special bond there with the men. I hoped to give them a message of hope, trying to show them that the promises of God are true. That when the Word says “He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him”, we need only say yes and amen.

6. The Lynnville Friends praise team did a great job.  Talk about their ministry of music...

            The praise team was deeply touched by coming to New Life worship and continue to speak of the time when we were able to worship our Lord there. They love meeting with the guys, and love seeing the passion in which the men joined them in worship.

7. What positives do you see at New Life Prison Community?

            I really felt the love of Christ coming from Rick and Rose, and all the volunteers with New Life Prison community. The men had many and only good things to say about the ministry. I love that life is being brought and taught at the Newton Prison, and the life being shared is eternal life in Jesus Christ.

8. From your perspective, why is it so crucial for New Life and other ministries to reach out to men in prison?

            It is crucial to continue to reach the men behind the walls because the Lord is very active and alive there. The Spirit of God cannot be contained, and He is hard at work at the Newton Prison and the other prisons in Iowa and all over the United States. The harvest is indeed plentiful, and the workers must continue to reap for the Lord.

Beautiful Things!

Rose & the New Life praise team dedicated this song to the four men who were baptized at the Thanksgiving worship service.  Pray for Angelo, Shean, Bob and Robert!

Beautiful Things  (Michael & Lisa Gungor)

"All this pain.  I wonder if I'll ever find my way; I wonder if my life could really change at all.  All this earth.  Could all that is lost ever be found;  could a garden come up from this ground at all?  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us."

"All around hope is springing up from this old ground.  Out of chaos, life is being found in You.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us."

"You make me new, You are making me new.  You make me new, You are making me new.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us."  

Lighthouse of Hope for the Prisoner

John B. made this drawing of a lighthouse on the back of his prayer request.  Here is what he wrote on the back - "A prayer of thanks and blessings to all the volunteers who choose to follow the Lord's direction in their lives by sharing the Light of Jesus with us in this dark place.

"The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." 

(John 1:5)

10,000 Reasons!

This is an incredible worship song.  Can you think of 10,000 reasons for your heart to sing?  I can think of at least one - Jesus Christ's impact on my life!

November is Huge!

November is HUGE for New Life Prison Community.  I could point out a dozen things but today I'll merely focus on one thing: Baptism!  On November 15, Lord willing, four men will be baptized during our New Life worship service in the prison gym.  Please pray for these men.  Pray that they will experience renewal, peace, and hope.  Pray that God by his Holy Spirit will strengthen them so that they will be able to withstand the attacks from the evil one.  Amen.

A Great Read!

I just finished reading Timothy Keller's book about idolatry in modern society.  It's called Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power and the Only Hope that Matters.  I've read books by Keller before - The Reason for God & The Prodigal God come to mind. I enjoy Keller's writing style and his insights.  Needless to say, I was not disappointed with this book.  It's certainly a great read!

The book points out how modern people deceive themselves by thinking that idolatry is only a problem of ancient cultures who crafted gods out of wood and stone.  Instead, Keller points out that modernity is literally littered with idols of every kind imaginable.  In Keller's own words: "Though we think we live in a secular world, idols, the glittering gods of our age, hold title to the functional trust of our hearts."(p.xxvi)  In the pages between the front and back cover, Keller examines in detail various idols having to do with sex, wealth, success and power.  Even religious people are plagued by hidden idolatry such as valuing doctrine over relationship, moral and theological superiority, and the elevation of spiritual gifts.  Overall, we need to be aware of our propensity toward idolatry.  The deceiver tends to use the good things of God and twist them to his advantage.  I think it boils down to priorities and perspective.  Keller finds his conclusion in focusing on Jesus Christ.  Worship.  It's a matter of "setting your heart on Christ as your peace and your life."  This formulates "the road to freedom from the counterfeit gods that control us."  (p.177)
See also Fixing our Eyes on Jesus

Answering the Call

Karen Swanson is a skilled instructor.

On Tuesday, October 30th, New Life hosted an evangelism training seminar at the Newton Prison.  Needless to say it was a big hit!  26 men showed up to attend the training seminar at 1pm that afternoon.  We met for two hours in the prison chapel then took a break for the evening meal.  At 6pm we resumed for another two hours.  The men appreciated the opportunity to learn about evangelism and sharing their faith in a positive manner.  It's a bit tricky in the prison environment since prison rules establish boundaries for religious practice.  It's not appropriate to be heavy-handed or to belittle other faith traditions.  In fact, proselytizing is not permitted.  Instead, evangelism is most effective within correctional institution when men share their personal story, highlighting how God has transformed their life in Christ Jesus.

Will you answer the call & share your faith with others?

Karen Swanson did a great job leading the seminar.  She traveled all the way from Wheaton, Illinois to be with us that day.  Karen is the director of the Institute of Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College.  Click this link if you want to find out more: The Institute for Prison Ministries.  We appreciate Karen's time, energy and expertise.  It was certainly a great day.  We're confident that God will empower the men in attendance to promote positive change among the men at Newton Prison.  Thank you to Karen and all the volunteers who helped make this event happen.