Rik Now Sees, “It’s harvest time!”
While recovering from an illness in a prison medical center, Rik dug into ARM’s thirty-nine-chapter study on Christian Doctrine by former Bible college professor Denver Sizemore. In these studies, he learned about the authority of the Bible, what the Bible teaches about faith, repentance, baptism, the church's mission, and thirty-four other Bible doctrines. As he studied, Rik also contemplated the choices that led him to prison. His life had spiraled down a dark abyss of crime and despair, but in prison, he found his hope in Jesus.
One morning, Rik received news that he was being transferred back into the prison’s general population. He had mixed emotions about leaving the familiar and safe confines of the medical center. Fear of the unknown gripped him, but beneath it all, a spark of anticipation kindled within him.
The larger prison facility he was going to would be a chaotic, unforgiving place filled with hardened souls who had lost their way. But Rik saw it differently this time – he now saw the prison as a mission field. With unwavering determination, he started a small Bible study group within the prison walls, inviting fellow inmates to join him.
At first, his efforts were met with skepticism and even ridicule. But Rik's sincerity and conviction were undeniable. Slowly, a few inmates began to attend his studies. Through his words and actions, he demonstrated that change was possible, even in the darkest of places.
Over time, the Bible study group grew, and Rik's influence spread throughout the prison. He became known as a source of wisdom and guidance, helping others find their path to redemption in Jesus. In the process, Rik found a sense of purpose that he had never known before.
Rik asked ARM to pass this on to you, our ministry partners:
Thank you! The Bible studies are stirring up many inmates here … I don’t know if I would have been prepared for this move without your help and sponsorship. But God went before me and paved the way.
The goal of any missionary organization is to prepare indigenous disciples of Jesus to lead the church. That is what you are doing: helping equip prisoners to lead the church behind bars.
Prisons are ripe. It’s harvest time!
If Rik’s journey from despair to redemption inspired you, become an ARM Ministry Partner:
Give a monthly gift. Go to arm.org/donate, select “Prison Outreach,” type in the monthly amount you would like to give ($20, $50, $100, or more), then scroll down and check the box that says, “Make This a Recurring Transaction.” It is that easy to become a monthly Ministry Partner.
Use your IRA retirement funds to help imprisoned people find Jesus. If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and are at least 70 ½ years old, you can distribute funds from your IRA to ARM Prison Outreach TAX-FREE! To learn more about using your IRA to invest in ministry, watch a video by Prison Ministry Partner David Duncan entitled “Using Retirement Funds for Ministry.” You can also click the orange button to download your free E-book entitled “Giving Through Retirement Accounts.” Please get in touch with Troy at tnelson@arm.org or (417) 781-9100 if you have questions.