Scarborough College – Page 2 – HEART OF TEXAS FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF MINISTRY

COVID-19 Update

Posted by in News

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Field Ministers continue to remain strong during the Covid Crisis. Several Field Ministers and the women among the Hobby 9 are able to show a different side of their service—cleaning, sweeping, picking up trash, and even volunteering to do so on medical wings.

Several Field Ministers and students in the Texas Field Ministers Program have tested positive for Covid-19 across the state. We pray for their speedy recovery and for the continued protection of all of the Field Minsters and for the Hobby 9, as well as, everyone in TDCJ.

We gained two more Field Ministers last month and now have five. Our team is now stronger that it’s ever been! We recently baptized nine more in administrative segregation—making over 70 overall in three-and-a-half years.

One of them was Jimmy L. An officer pointed me to him . . .

“Look, none of us are from perfect families. Of my three sons, my youngest is most like I used to be. He got in some trouble and was sent to the Ferguson Unit. Ferguson is and always has been a gladiator farm. When his mother told me he was there, I prayed for my boy. The next letter I received said my boy met this Field Minister named Kewana, . . .

For 12 years, The Heart of Texas Foundation has spearheaded the vision for Field Ministry in Texas. As of 2022, Texas Field Ministers have successfully served the male prison population for more than 7 years. Currently, 202 Field Ministers serve in 42 prison units across Texas or 67% of the male prison population within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Studies show that the illiteracy rate in prisons is as high as 70%. The Field Ministers skillfully teach men to read. Learning to read requires a great deal of vulnerability and trust on the part of the student. The Field Ministers, as men of God, patiently and kindly teach men to read daily. Throughout the instruction time, the Field Ministers have the opportunity to pray with their student, listen to them, extend godly counsel, and display the heart of Christ as they share the good news of Christ.