A report on PFC's missions in 2023, as well as overall ministry synopses.
3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4 THE PFC FLAG 5 6 PARTNERSHIPS and OUR MISSION and WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO INDEX
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1 NASB
RELATIONSHIPS WITH AUTHORS
8 CHAPLAIN OUTREACH 9 INMATE OUTREACH 10 TEACHING INMATES 11 TRAINING
VOLUNTEERS 12 INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE 14 INTERNATIONAL MAP 16 INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS 18 STATS and STAFF 20 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 21 FRONT-LINE REPORT: I.B.I. 2023 22 2023 INMATE ART CONTEST WINNERS
COVER IMAGE Pastor Matthew Ndfreke of Nigeria
Pastor Matthew is PFC’s Regional Director in Southern Nigeria. He and his family rode a small motorcycle for many years as their main method of transportation. The motorcycle served both ministry and family needs. In the last year, Nigeria has become a much more dangerous place for Christians, with an escalation of violent attacks. Riding a motorcycle was no longer safe and Matthew needed a vehicle. Matthew was able to raise half the cost himself, no small feat in his country. The Lord worked through PFC’s generous donors enabling us to send Matthew the balance of the funds he needed to purchase a car that will provide safer transportation for his family and prison ministry.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greg Von Tobel President & Founder
Dear Friends and Stakeholders, G reetings beloved. It is my honor each year to write this letter to those who have given so much to the ministry in the past year. Once again the Lord has given us an increase in 2024. We, and all who labor for the cause of Christ in prisons around the world, have been blessed in so many ways. The close of 2023 marks two years after the pandemic. In many ways things are back to normal, but in many areas things are still struggling to return to normal. You will see on our statistics page that our attendance broke the one million mark with 1,260,123, our second highest year in our history! In addition, over 49,000 inmates made a commitment to the Lord Jesus last year. Praise the Lord! Worldwide, our co-workers conducted 9,005 services under the PFC banner in 2023. This a record year. That breaks down to 24 PFC services being conducted every day. One thing that the pandemic did was give us a new set of lenses through which to view the work of the ministry. We used this time and new perspective to review many documents and procedures. One such document was our strategic plan, buried deep in the archives of our server. When an archaeologist comes across an incredible find, he cleans it up and puts it on display. That is what we have done with the strategic plan. We dusted
it off and gave it a new name, calling it PFC’s Seven Year Strategic Plan. This strategic plan was always an internal document, but not anymore. We are putting it out there for all to see. If the annual report is a glimpse into the not-to-distant past, the strategic plan is a glimpse into the future. With that in mind, I am honored to present to you, our friends, stakeholders and constituents, not only PFC’s Annual Report, but also the revised, post-pandemic Seven Year Strategic Plan. They are bookends that should be read in tandem. Navigating ministry is like a highway with many lanes, and we need to make sure we stay in our own lanes. This Seven Year Strategic Plan helps us do just that.
As you read through this plan, please continue to lift up the staff, the Board, and the Seven Year Strategic Plan to the Lord for His glory. It is a new world and we must be trained and ready for battle. President and Founder, Greg Von Tobel
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WHO WE ARE
Prisoners For Christ Outreach Ministries (PFC) was launched in August of 1989 by Greg Von Tobel and his wife, Rhonda, when God called Greg from a career as a stockbroker into full- time prison ministry. Since then, millions of prisoners around the world have been ministered to by PFC volunteers. God has been faithful to provide PFC with more than we could ever think or imagine.
WHAT WE DO
Bible Study Correspondence School Church-Planting School Free Resources for Chaplains & Prisoners In-Prison Ministry The International Bible Institute Literature Distribution & Publication Online Training Courses Pen Pal Ministry Short-Term International Prison Mission Trips
TUMI - The Urban Ministry Institute Video Distribution & Production Yard Out Inmate Newspaper
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OUR MISSION
Our mission is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to men, women, and juveniles in jails and prisons in the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and around the world by providing church services, Bible studies, mentoring, seminary-level classes, Chaplain support, Bible schools, and more.
PFC BOOTH AT MISSION CONNEXION - PORTLAND JANUARY 2024
THE PFC FLAG SHINING THE LIGHT IN DARK PLACES As with any good flag, the design and colors for the Prisoners For Christ flag were carefully considered and chosen to represent the important aspects of our ministry. Beginning with the black field at the bottom, representing the darkness of life for all
who are without Christ (Rom 3:23). The gray field represents the transition from darkness to light; the sanctifying work of being changed from the old life to the new life in Christ (Rom 6:6). The white field represents the purity that comes from Christ’s righteousness that is gifted to us (Isa 1:18). The red in the PFC logo represents the blood of Jesus Christ, through which forgiveness of sin comes (Eph 1:7). The cross of the PFC logo pierces the darkness, allowing a pathway to righteousness through the cross of Christ (Ps 107:10). Finally, the globe in the PFC logo represents the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20).
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PARTNERSHIPS
Many prisoners want to go into ministry once their time has been served, but this can be difficult when most churches and other ministries require some type of degree for those they employ in full-time ministry. It can also be hard for a newly-released person to try enrolling in school while dealing with all the other challenges that go along with release. A program has been developed that allows prisoners to earn a Christian Ministry Certificate while they serve out their sentence. Prisoners For Christ, in partnership with The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), has classes running at the Monroe Correctional Complex in
Monroe, WA. This is a 4-year course of intense study that provides seminary-level classes through a module-based curriculum with courses in Biblical Studies, Theology and Ethics, Christian Ministry, and Urban Missions.TUMI has recently released condensed versions of their 4-year curriculum for prisoners who have shorter sentences to serve. Lord willing, PFC will bring these studies into facilities in 2024.
The mission of Lifeline Global is to glorify God by inspiring and equipping men and women, with church and community involvement, to become the godly parents, whom God has designed them to be.
Men’s Fraternity was designed to help men come together and strengthen one another through weekly biblical teaching and small group interaction. The authors of Men’s Fraternity wrote another curriculum called “33 The Series.” This series models the thirty-three years of Jesus’ earthly life to help men become better sons, fathers, husbands, and neighbors. PFC has a strong team at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, WA, who have gained much support and recognition from the facility administration over their curriculum-based courses like “33 The Series”. Lifeline Global has a program for fathers called “Malachi Dads” and one for mothers called “Hannah’s Gift.” “Malachi Dads” helps fathers understand and live up to their biblical responsibility as fathers, breaking the generational curses that plague so many families affected by incarceration. “Hannah’s Gift” is modeled after the life of Hannah and her son (the prophet Samuel) as told in the first two chapters of First Samuel, showing incarcerated mothers how to parent from a distance. Prisoners For Christ partnered with Lifeline Global by producing the video version of the “Hannah’s Gift” curriculum and sharing it with them. In turn, Lifeline Global produced “Malachi Dads” and shared the videos with Prisoners For Christ.
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PARTNERING WITH AUTHORS As PFC procures quality resources to offer chaplains and prisoners, we have experienced an unexpected blessing - building relationships with some of the actual authors of popular Christian publications. PFC is abundantly grateful for the generosity of these and other authors who help us minister to prisoners.
“IMMANUEL: An Illustrated Story of the Life of Jesus” by Jonathan Chong
1,737 copies distributed in 2023
Prisoners who are seeking God can become intimidated when it comes to approaching and understanding the Bible. “IMMANUEL” is an illustrated account of the life of Jesus. It is by far the most requested book by chaplains and prisoners at PFC (aside from Bibles.) With each copy we mail out, the potential and prayer for eternal change goes with it. This first edition has been thoughtfully dedicated to prison ministry by the author.
“My goal is that this book would be shared to reach as many people as possible, especially those who have not read, or cannot read or learn about Jesus of the Bible; that they are able to read a comic book about Him.” -Jonathan Chong
In 2019, Robert Noland revamped his best-selling book, “The Knight’s Code” and re-released it as “Believe, Become, Be,” adding to it a companion Bible study for group or individual use. This new format was a timely God-send for PFC, as we received increased requests from chaplains and prisoners for more Christian studies as COVID lockdowns began. “Through my own ministry, I have a calling to unite with “BELIEVE, BECOME, BE: Becoming the Man God Believes You Can Be” by Robert Noland 545 copies distributed in 2023
others with a like heart and mind to reach the world with the Gospel. Each year, my goal is to increase the number of my men’s books that PFC can get into the hands of those who need Jesus and are desperate to find hope and true change. My alliance with PFC has been the perfect fit as a supply line to those on the front lines.” —Robert Noland
Since 2008, “Doing His Time” has been a staple devotional in prison chapels around the world. With a foreword by prison ministry champion, Chuck Colson, this book is eagerly sought out by prisoners because it was written specifically for them and speaks to their unique circumstances in the light of God’s Word and grace. “We are grateful to partner with organizations that share the vision to reach out to these men and women in prison. Prisoners “Doing HIS Time: Meditations and Prayers for Men and Women in Prison” by James C. Vogelzang 690 copies distributed in 2023
For Christ is one such stalwart ministry. Unwavering in its commitment to Jesus and steadfast in its determination to reach the lost, Prisoners For Christ is making a difference. When our devotional is distributed by PFC, we receive emails from chaplains requesting cases of the books for their entire population. When we get those letters we are sure PFC and the devotional are having an impact.” -James C. Vogelzang
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For Prisoners For Christ, there came a blessing with COVID. When prisons shut down across the country, PFC pivoted its resources from in-prison ministry to finding new ways to reach the Chaplains who found themselves alone to meet prisoners’ spiritual needs. Today, PFC provides free, quality resources to Chaplains across the United States through our Chaplain Resource online store.
CHAPLAIN OUTREACH
VIDEO RESOURCES
STUDY RESOURCES
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Several of PFC’s ministries were already positioned to thrive during a pandemic, i.e. the Bible Study Correspondence School, Bible and Literature Distribution, Pen Pals, and the Yard Out newspaper. With demand for these resources (and the cost to mail them) always rising, PFC dedicates significant resources to enhance these ministries in order to meet the prisoners’ needs.
PRISONER OUTREACH
BIBLES & CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
Our Bible Study Corre- spondence School has over 2,200 students from all fifty states cur - rently enrolled. We have teams of volunteers who review every lesson that comes in, write encour- aging comments, and send them back with the next lessons.
Our Yard Out newspa- per has been extremely popular amongst the in- mate population for 25+ years because it is made up entirely of submis- sions from prisoners. It is mailed three times each year to more than 1,100 institutions all over the United States.
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TEACHING PRISONERS
BCS
Our Bible Study Correspondence School (BCS) is a ministry that serves over 2,200 inmates in all fifty States who wish to learn more about God and His Word. This Bible-based curriculum increases in difficulty over 17 Units and 130 Lessons. Teams of PFC Volunteers review each lesson and write encouraging comments for each answer in each lesson. We encourage writing a short prayer at the end of each lesson, and asking a blessing over each student. Then the reviewed lesson and the following lesson are mailed back to them. For some inmates, this is the ONLY correspondence they receive. As a sign of their tremendous accomplishment, inmates are sent a Certificate of Completion when they complete each unit. In 2014, Prisoners For Christ launched the TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) curriculum at the Washington State Reformatory (WSR.) This is a four-year course of intense study that provides seminary-level classes through a module- based curriculum with courses in Biblical Studies, Theology and Ethics, Christian Ministry, and Urban Missions. Although COVID-19 shut down TUMI temporarily, PFC volunteers have been taking TUMI inside Monroe prison in Washington since 2022. In 2023, TUMI published shorter versions of their curriculum to meet the needs of short-term prisoners. PFC is excited to offer these new options to Chaplains in prisons and jails across the U.S. The International Bible Institute (IBI) was created to fill the void for quality discipleship curriculum for inmates in developing countries’ prisons. In America, we have the Bible Study Correspondence School for inmates to draw close to God while serving their time. We desperately needed a method of discipleship for inmates suffering in the developing world’s prisons. Where inmates in America complete their lessons and send them back to PFC for grading, prisoners in third world prisons do not have the luxury of sending their lessons through the mail to be graded. Thus was created a Bible institute onsite within the prisons. We have volunteer facilitators that travel each week to a particular institution to instruct the students. Our first two schools were opened in Nigeria in 2018. As of January 2024, we have five IBI schools operating in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan.
TUMI
IBI
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TRAINING VOLUNTEERS
PFC-U
Prisoners For Christ is dedicated to making sure that our volunteers are well- equipped for prison ministry. PFC-University is our volunteer training program in Washington State. It is held twice each year; once in the spring and once in the fall. With the onset of COVID-19, PFC had to stop gathering in person at PFC- University. In response, PFC recorded several of the basic courses and created an online training program. Volunteers can now watch training videos and take short quizzes from their homes. PFC hopes to resume in-person training in the fall of 2024. Training and resources on prison ministry can be quite limited in third-world countries, unlike in the United States. For this reason, Prisoners For Christ introduced a series of classes to become a Certified Prison Worker (CPW) to its associates around the world. This is a 6-month to 1-year certification program. The courses are sent via email, returned to the home office once completed by the student, graded, and then returned to the student. These classes are intended to provide both foundation level training, such as How to Grow a Prison Ministry, as well as more advanced lessons, such as Understanding Inmate Manipulation. The twenty-six lessons in this course will allow our missionaries to take their prison ministry leadership to the next level. The training is offered for free, though students must fill out an application before being accepted into the program. As of January 2024, 108 graduates have earned their certificates. We are excited to see how the Lord uses these studies to empower His servants in prison ministry around the world. The International Chaplaincy Training School (ICTS) was added to PFC’s repertoire of online courses for our international associates to complete once they have completed the CPW curriculum. Where the CPW curriculum would be considered undergraduate work, the ICTS curriculum would be considered graduate work. Once completed, graduating students will be conferred by PFC as a fully functioning chaplain for an institution. This is an incredible asset to the prison, its staff, as well as inmates. These courses were created to pick up where the CPW courses left off: to educate, to encourage, and to add credibility to our international associates’ pastoral authority within the institutions where they work. There are many chaplaincy training courses available in America for those aspiring to be a hospital, corporate, or military chaplain, however this is the only prison chaplaincy course targeted to those in developing third world countries. It is one of a kind in the world. We started writing these courses in 2018 and have since graduated eighteen students, with more currently enrolled.
CPW
ICTS
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These graphs are a way to show a Christian educational path for the PFC International Bible Institute. Starting with the basics of understanding the Nicene Creed all the way through the courses, with the end result of planting a church in a prison and becoming a Certified International Prison Chaplain. As you can see, it will take dedication to achieve. If you look at the graphs you can easily see the progression. The Basic Curriculum is the equivalent to a Bachelor’s level of study, the Intermediate Curriculum is equivalent to a Master’s level of study, and the Advanced Curriculum is equivalent to a Doctorate’s level of study. The goal of these courses is to plant new churches inside foreign prisons. This has been PFC’s vision for many years and these courses are a way of reaching that goal. Once the church is planted, the course continues to be taught within the Prison Church, thus using the whole principle of multiplication within the Christian sphere. - Don Szolomayer, Director of International Affairs THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
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THE PRODIGAL SON PART I
WHAT IS HELL
THE PRODIGAL SON PART II
WHAT IS HEAVEN
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21
WHAT IS SALVATION
SPIRITUAL FARMERS
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22
16
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THE GOOD SAMARITAN
WHAT IS SIN
15
20
WHAT IS PROPHECY
THE PRODIGAL SON PART III
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HOW DO I GET TO HEAVEN
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THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS
6
25
WHAT IS THE CHURCH
THE GROWING SEED
WHO IS JESUS
THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
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24
WHO IS SATAN
THE LOST
8
27
WHO IS GOD
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WHAT IS THE BIBLE
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THE WICKED TENANTS
THE WORKERS
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28
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE WEDDING BANQUET
THE TEN VIRGINS
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NICENE CREED PART II
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31
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NICENE CREED PART IV
BASIC CURRICULUM
THE WISE BUILDER
NICENE CREED PART I
NICENE CREED PART III
THE TALENTS
THE LAMP
1
32
3
30
One-Year Program
THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT
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THE JUDGE AND THE WIDOW
CALEB PART I
33
57
ELEAZAR
36
59
THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE
ANSWERS TO PRAYER
NICODEMUS
CALEB PART II
34
56
40
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REASONS FOR UN- ANSWERED PRAYERS
NEHEMIAH
WHAT IS PRAYER
DAVID AND GOLIATH
OUR OWN PERSONAL PRAYER LIFE
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EUTYCHUS
55
37
DAVID & BATHSHEBA
PRAYER IN THE LIFE OF JESUS
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MANASSEH PART I
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GIDEON’S ARMY
KORAH’S REBELLION
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45
46
49
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MANASSEH PART II
SHADRACH, MESHACH, & ABEDNEGO & THE FIERY FURNACE
JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY
DANIEL AND THE LION’S DEN
JONAH AND THE WHALE
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48
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UNDERSTANDING INMATE MANIPULATION
HANDLING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
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WORKING WITH FACILITY STAFF
CONDUCTING A BIBLE STUDY
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15
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF A
PRISON ADOPTION MINISTRY
UNDERSTANDING COMMITMENT
FUNDRAISING
GROUP LEADER
HANDLING DISRUPTIONS
CHURCH PLANTING
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CODE OF CONDUCT
VISION CASTING
N
5
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CONDUCTING AN ALTAR CALL
DISCIPLESHIP
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THE PFC NETWORK
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ADVISORY COUNCIL
INTERMEDIATE CURRICULUM 9-month Program “Here I am, send me” Isaiah 6:8
HOW TO START A PRISON MINISTRY
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S CALL IN SERVICE
CHARACTER TRAITS OF A VOLUNTEER
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2
WHEN TO SAY NO
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HOW TO GROW A PRISON MINISTRY
ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS
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RECEIVING FROM THE LORD
WHY DO WE DO PRISON MINISTRY
GETTING PEOPLE INTERESTED
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PRACTICUM
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FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND STRANGERS
PARTS TO THE PRESENTATION
PRACTICUM
SPREADING THE
ONE TO ONE EVANGELISM
GROUP EVANGELISM
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35
GOOD NEWS
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32
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THE RELUCTANT EVANGELIST
TYPES OF PRESENTATIONS
KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT
FACING OPPOSITION
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33
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CHURCH PLANTING ON THE OUTSIDE
BUILDING BLOCKS
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THE HISTORY OF CHURCH PLANTING PART II
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FIRST STEPS - PREPARATIONS
WHY DO CHURCH PLANTS FAIL
WHAT ARE THE GROWTH PHASES
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WHY CHURCH PLANTING INSIDE A PRISON
EVALUATION AND EXPANSION
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THE HISTORY OF CHURCH PLANTING PART I
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GETTING STARTED
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AN ADOPTION MODEL
WHAT IS CHURCH PLANTING
ADVANCED CURRICULUM 6-month Program “...press on toward the goal...” Philippians 3:14
INTRODUCTION
MINISTRY TO VOLUNTEERS
OVERVIEW PART II
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PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
28
13
26
BIBLICAL BASIS
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
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27
OVERVIEW PART I
MINISTRY TO INMATE FAMILIES
S
PRINCIPLES OF PREACHING PREPARATION
MINISTRY TO STAFF
14
25
PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE STUDY PREPARATION
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24
MINISTRY TO WOMEN
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM
INMATE RELATIONS
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PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP
MINISTRY TO INMATES
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INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
We are blessed to have thirty-one international missionary pastors who partner with us throughout the year as we sponsor short-term mission trips to their corners of the world. These trips are typically ten to fourteen days long and include: prison crusades, humanitarian relief, and training conferences for local prison ministry volunteers.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
By the time Prisoners For Christ visits a foreign country, working relationships have already been established with local pastors who are recruiting for prison ministry. These local pastors are PFC’s “boots on the ground” in these countries. Where we can only visit for a few days at a time, these local pastors keep the fight alive year round. As these co-laborers in prison ministry serve our Lord, they address other needs in their areas as the Lord leads them. From offering orphans a place to live to rebuilding villages and churches decimated by jihadists, they never shy away from the Call to rise up and serve. It’s an honor for PFC to partner with and support such godly men and women with the resources we have.
SUPPLY LINES
Prisoners For Christ values the foreign pastors and their families who sacrifice so much for the Kingdom. Knowing their struggles with daily survival in some cases, PFC sets aside funds to assist these pastors. PFC has created programs for donors to “adopt” pastors, where monthly donations are sent to pastors so they can provide for their family’s needs while they serve in the ministry. PFC has also created a fund that specifically meets emergency medical needs for the international pastors and their families when needs arise.
BACKGROUND IMAGE PFC Prison Crusade, Kenya 2016
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Prisoners For Christ has established an effective approach to training the international PFC volunteers, regardless of where they are in the world. During 2023, PFC hosted 29 video training conferences for our missionary partners. These were held in 9 countries, 21 locations and over 1105 in attendance. God also opened the door for PFC to host 2 virtual prison crusades and 3 International Bible Institute graduation ceremonies! VIRTUAL TRAINING LATIN AMERICA EXPANSION One of our goals for 2023 included further expanding the Prisoners For Christ ministry in Latin America. PFC hired an International Partnership Developer in 2022 to focus on finding local pastors in Mexico, Central America, South America, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Since then, we have appointed Regional Directors in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, El Salvador, Brazil, Bolivia, and Guyana. PFC conducted three video conference trainings and went on a mission trip to Nicaragua. Lord willing, we will be going into Bolivia and Brazil in 2024!
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2023 STATS
ATTENDANCE
DECISIONS FOR CHRIST
80K
1 MIL
60K
800K
600K
40K
400K
20K
200K
0
0
2018 77,324
2019 66,745
2020 31,259
2022 31,721
2023 49,102
2021 22,365
2020 349,331
2018 880,853
2019 967,937
2022 810,427
2021 452,899
2023 1,260,123
PFC SERVICES
BIBLE STUDY SCHOOL STUDENTS
10K
3K
8K
2K
6K
4K
1K
2K
0
0
2023 9,005
2018 6,149
2019 6,125
2020 2,128
2021 3,209
2022 6,959
2018 2,634
2019 2,555
2020 2,341
2022 2,665
2023 2,208
2021 2,949
Bibles - 5,492 Christian Literature (books, devotions, etc.) - 10,150 Books by Greg Von Tobel - 1,600 DVDs and Digital Downloads - 494 Yard Out Newspapers - 159,040 Evangelistic / Discipling Brochures & Tracts- 14,254 Bible Study School Promo Posters - 601 Total Packages Mailed to Chaplains & Prisoners - 3,514 CHAPLAIN and PRISONER RESOURCES PROVIDED
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STAFF
GREG Von Tobel
PEYTON Burkhart Yard Out Editor with PFC since 1996
BRENT Hoiosen
President & Founder founded PFC in 1989
Pen Pal Coordinator with PFC since 1993
LINDA Holz Bible Study Correspondence
DAVE Jezak
MARGARET La Pointe
Front Desk, Bulk Mail, & Prayer Team Coordinator with PFC since 2006
Database Manager with PFC since 1995
School Coordinator with PFC since 2012
GRACE Paynter International Partnership Developer with PFC since 2021
MIKE North V.P. of Communication with PFC since 2010
JILL Payne-Holman Senior V.P. of Operations with PFC since 1997
DEE Peterson Director of Discipleship with PFC since 2012
RICH Sheets IT Manager with PFC since 2001
DON Szolomayer Director of
KATHLEEN Retan
Executive Assistant with PFC since 2022
International Affairs with PFC since 1998
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PFC’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Bob Jordan, D. Min Chairman
Greg Von Tobel President
Don Szolomayer Vice Chairman
Nate Bean Finance Chair
Dave Holmes Secretary
Dave Jezak
Dr. Tom Lenart, M.D.
Bob Rogers
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FRONT-LINE REPORT: The International Bible Institute 2023
In 2023, the Lord en- abled PFC to start three new International Bible Institutes (IBI). The IBI is a Bible College inside of a prison and is just for inmates. We were able to open two in Ethiopia and one in Pakistan. This is no small feat. A lot of prayer and planning goes into successfully launching an IBI. To God be all the glory!
IBI graduation at Dilla prison in Ethiopia.
The purpose of an IBI is to disciple an inmate starting with the basics of the faith, and four years and one hundred forty six lessons later, the planting of an inmate church inside that prison. Imagine for a moment the amount of work this takes, particularly when this is happening in a third world country where both economics and government restrictions can be roadblocks. These are the three men who work under the PFC banner in facilitating these new Bible Colleges behind bars. Pastor Sebsibe Wolasso joined with PFC in August of 2021. He already had a thriving ministry in Dilla prison Ethiopia. He wanted to take his ministry to the next step and soon realized that would be the initiation of an IBI in Dilla prison. He was successful in opening that IBI in February 2023. It is thriving and he is making solid inmate disciples for Christ. He is also, working as our Church Planter in Ethiopia. Pastor Safdar Choudhry already had a ministry working with inmates charged with blasphemy in Pakistan, when he joined PFC in 2017. As he was working with the blasphemy inmates, he was also trying to find a way to disciple them and other inmates that he was allowed to reach in Adyala Rawalpindi prison. There are many restrictions that he must navigate. However, we were able to adjust our IBI program to fit what was allowed in Pakistan and it successfully started in March 2023. Who would have ever thought that God would open the doors to prisons where we are not even allowed to visit? Pastor Tadele Asefa is our National Director for PFC in Ethiopia. Once he completed the work with Pastor Sebsibe in opening the first IBI in Ethiopia in Dilla prison, he didn’t want to stop there. His next effort was to establish an IBI in Adama prison. He has been a tireless advocate for IBIs in Ethiopia. Tadele is very good at administration and knows how to work within the government framework for getting permits and approval. His heart for the prisoners of Ethiopia is huge and he never stops working to help them hear the Word of God. His IBI started in November 2023. PFC now has five International Bible Institutes operating and is poised to open several more in 2024. Email Greg Von Tobel for information about sponsoring an IBI school. gvt@pfcom.org
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2023 INMATE ART CONTEST WINNERS
FIRST PLACE “Savior” By Mariano in Nevada
SECOND PLACE “Love” By Armando in Ohio
PRESIDENT’S PICK “Hope Restored” By Charles in North Carolina
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT’S PICK “Receiving The Spirit” By Robert in Texas
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THIRD PLACE “My Two Angels” By Jessie in California
EDITOR’S PICK “King of Kings, Lord of Lords” By Marcus in North Carolina
VICE PRESIDENT’S PICK “Sinners Welcome” By Sean in Wisconsin
STAFF PICK “You Have A Visitor” By Brandon in Georgia
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PRISONERS FOR CHRIST OUTREACH MINISTRIES P.O. BOX 1530 WOODINVILLE, WA 98072 425.483.4151 gvt@pfcom.org www.prisonersforchrist.org
Enhancing Trust
PFC Home Page
PFC Donation Page
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