December 2009
Word of Hope Ministry is a prison ministry that originated in Lubbock, Texas. Jack Bromley started “Word of Hope” in 1976 as an outgrowth ministry of the Gideon Ministries in the Lubbock jail and developed a Bible correspondence course for prisoners. The undergraduate program is comprised of fourteen lessons; the studies were expanded to include a post-graduate program, consisting of an additional ten lessons. Prisoners receive a beautiful certificate upon completion of each program. A very organized group of volunteers serve in this prison ministry; they copy lessons; address, stamp and mail lessons; carefully track the recipients, receive completed lessons; grade the lessons; mail birthday cards and Christmas cards. The program has expanded to include Spanish lessons, mailing Bibles and a mentoring ministry.
The volunteers do not minister through face-to-face contact with the prisoners, but their love and compassion permeate every piece of correspondence that touches each prisoner. Approximately 400 lessons are mailed each week to nearly 2000 prisoners in Texas and 25 additional states. Prisoners learn about Word of Hope by word of mouth, as its blessings are shared from prisoner to prisoner.
The greatest need of Word of Hope Ministry is donations. They are in need of monetary donations to procure Bibles, printer/copier toner, all-purpose paper, envelopes and stamps. If you are interested in the ministry of Word of Hope, please contact the
office.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms provide a home away from
home for families of critically ill children who are receiving treatment at UMC
and Covenant Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. The two Family Rooms provide a
nurturing, cozy haven inside the hospital. Families use the rooms to rest,
reflect, eat, do laundry and shower. They are currently in need of caring,
mature and compassionate volunteers to work in these Family Rooms. Volunteers
work 3-hour shifts, greeting visitors, making coffee and cookies, performing
light duties and watching over the families. Training and orientation are
provided. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and must receive a TB test
(provided by the hospital) in order to begin. If you are interested in this
volunteer opportunity, please call RSVP at 743-7787, and we will introduce you
to the appropriate contact at the Ronald McDonald House. Remember: Today is a good day to volunteer!
To volunteer, or for more information about
these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at
743-7787.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and
have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 743-77873 and chat
with Karon McDowell about your interests. If you are not certain
what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer
opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members
are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill
or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just
the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form
(requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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