Reason to Believe 6
Chris Knepp - Robert Dorrough

Reason to Believe 6

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REASON TO BELIEVE​ – Lesson 6 Text

Accounting for the Hope that Is within Us: ​

“Apologetic” Lives

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15​

“But in your hearts revereChrist as Lord. Always be prepared to give ananswer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….”(NIV)​

The “Final Proof” of Christianity​

“The final proof of Christianity is the sight of what Jesus Christ can do. Words may fail to convince, but there is no argument against God in action. It is the simple fact that the power of Jesus Christ has made the cowards into heroes, doubters into men and women of certainty, selfish people into servants ofall. Above all, it is the plain fact of historythat again and again the power of Christ has made bad people good.”​

William Barclay, The Gospel of John, Vol. 2​

Chuck Colson: ​

Presenting the Faith to the Least of These​

PRISON FELLOWHIP’S VISION​

·          TO SEE A REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PRISON THATBRINGS JUSTICE, MERCY, AND HOPE TOOUR CULTURE.​

·          Prison Fellowship believes that a restorative approach to those impacted by incarceration can make communities safer and healthier. Our ministry is founded on the conviction that all people are created in God's image and that no life is beyond God's reach. He can mak eeven the most broken people and situations whole again. As they embrace new values in a restorative community, those who once broke the law are transformed and mobilized to serve their neighbors, replacing the cycle of crime with a cycle of renewal.​

A Resume Every Mother Would Love​

·         Born October 16, 1931​

·         AB with honors from Brown University in 1953​

·         United States Marine Corps, 1953-55, rising to rank of Captain​

·         JD with honors from George Washington University Law School in 1959​

·         Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon,1969-70​

Until

·          President Nixon’s “Hatchet Man”sentenced to federal Maxwell Correctional Facility in Alabama after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice​

·          First from Nixon White House to be incarcerated for Watergate-related offenses​

·          Served 7 months, from June 21,1974 to January 31, 1975​.

But, in the meantime, on August 12, 1973 …​

I visited Tom Phillips, president of the Raytheon Company, at his home outside of Boston. I’drepresented Raytheon before going to the White House, and I was about to start again.​

But I visited for another reason as well. I knew Tom had become a Christian, and he seemed sodifferent. I wanted to ask him what had happened.​

That night he read to me from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, particularly a chapter about thegreat sin that is pride. A proud man is always walking through life looking down on other peopleand other things, said Lewis. As a result, he cannot see something above himself immeasurablysuperior—God.​

Tom, that night, told me about encountering Christ in his own life. He didn’t realize it, but I was inthe depths of deep despair over Watergate, watching the president I had helped for four yearsflounder in office. I’d also heard that I might become a target of the investigation as well. In short,my world was collapsing.​

That night, as Tom was telling me about Jesus, I listened attentively, but didn’t let on my own need. When he offered to pray, I thanked him but said, no, I’d see him sometime after I read C. S. Lewis’s book. But when I got in the car that night, I couldn’t drive it out of the driveway. Ex-Marinecaptain, White House tough guy, I was crying too hard, calling out to God. I didn’t know what to say; I just knew I needed Jesus, and He came into my life.​     ​

The Legacy of a Man Redeemed​

1976: Wrote Born Again and founded Prison Fellowship, our nation’s largest prisonministry. ​

1979: Founded Prison Fellowship International, the world’s largest, most extensive network of ministries working in the criminal justice field.​

1993: Awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. This prize, established by Sir John Templeton, is awarded annually toa living person who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension. Colson donated the entire prizemoney, which exceeded $1 million, to Prison Fellowship.  ​

Died April 21, 2012; funeral at Washington National Cathedral attended by thousands.​

God of Hope Ministries

May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe, so that you overflow with hope… ​

Romans 15 :13

We believe that God provides hope through discipleship

Vision

To see prision inmates around the world living a life of hope and freedom only found in Jesus Christ.

Mission

To Equip prison inmates through biblical discipleship for a life and hope and freedom in Jesus Christ.

TImpact-Inmates Discipled​

·       Total Dorm Participants 2719​

·       Men 1373​

·       Women 1346​

·       Total Graduates 1268​

·       Men 637​

·       Women 631​

*Does not include Chapel Services & Other Programs​

o see prison inmates around the world living a life of hope andfound in Jesus Christ​