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Prison Work

--	TOUGH TALK PRISON MINISTRY
The aim of the Tough Talk prison ministry is to share, unconditionally, the Gospel of God's Grace, and to tell of the saving power of His Son Jesus Christ. For many years now, we have travelled the length and breadth of the UK as well as Russia, South Africa, USA and other countries, visiting at least one prison per week, sometimes two. We are regularly asked questions about this ministry such as: Why do you do it? Are you scared? Is it worth it? Is it effective? We answer that we do it because we believe in the life-changing power of Jesus, through His Holy Spirit. At times it can be frightening, but we really believe that sharing our testimonies and Jesus' love for all has great value. The effect our visits have can sometimes be amazing ….we have often heard later of men coming to faith and lives changed. However, we would still carry on this work even if we did not hear such reports since we are convinced that this is why God has brought Tough Talk together. Here are a few statistics....... The New Economics Foundation said in an article in The Times earlier this year in a call to cut costs in youth custody. …." Locking up a young criminal costs the taxpayer £140k per year and makes him/her more likely to re-offend or be unemployed in later life. In February 2010, 2195 children aged 10-17 were held in custody in England and Wales. [ and perhaps as many as 600 in Scotland]. Prison costs six times more than sending a child to Eton" Most criminals are victims of crime before they become the perpetrators and most often it starts with abuse or neglect in the home. 65% grow up without a father for some or all of their lives. 70% have considered suicide. 80% will commit another crime on release. 90% have used drugs. We do not know the answer to this huge problem or how to rehabilitate someone, but we do know that Jesus can change a life, as He did ours. So the work will go on ! We have received several encouraging letters from prison staff after our visits. Here is one from the Chaplain at the Secure Training Centre, Rainsbrook: “I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Arthur and Ian following on from their visits to Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre. Their message focused on “the consequences of our actions” and “our ability to make choices” was a powerful one linked to a very real hope for the future. More importantly, though, was that the good news of Jesus Christ was put across in a “powerful” way, as Ian and Arthur used the power lifting alongside their amazing testimonies of God at work in their lives. The afternoon session has stuck in the minds of several of our young people and paved the way for many more in-depth conversations, both with staff and young people. Here are brief reports of prison visits that the guys have made this year:

Sun2-May-2010	HMP/YOI FELTHAM
Ian led a meeting in the chapel which was packed with young men. They were very attentive to Ian's story and the gospel message.
Admin

Wed5-May-2010	HMP HINDLEY
Ian and Arthur visited HMP Hindley and did a total of three meetings on the one visit! One of the meetings was to prisoners in the gym where they did a usual presentation with a powerlifting demo and testimonies followed by a gospel challenge. The other two were to prisoners in the chapel meetings. All three were well attended and the audiences were very lively but listened intently to the testimonies and gospel challenge.
Admin

Sun9-May-2010	HMP NORWICH
Ian drove up to Norwich very early on Sunday morning to take two chapel services which were very well attended.The prisoners listened very intently to Ian as he gave testimony and a gospel challenge. There was a positive response from those present.
Admin

Wed26-May-2010	HMP LIVERPOOL
Ian and Arthur visited HMP Liverpool again. This time, there were more men in the audience than they have ever had in a prison - the number was around 140! Ian demonstrated the squat and both he and Arthur gave their testimonies. Ian concluded the meeting with a gospel challenge and prayed with the men.
Admin

Thur3-June-2010	HMP NORWICH
Ian Simon and Koya gave a Tough Talk presentation to about 40 prisoners who were very respectful to the guys. Koya demonstrated the squat. All three of the team felt that it was a great privilege to be able to present the gospel to such a group of men.
Admin

Fri25-June-2010	HMP KIRKHAM
Ian and Arthur made the long early morning drive up to Preston to present their testimonies and demonstrate powerlifting to the men in Kirkham. A good crowd of guys attended the meeting (attendance was voluntary!) and responded well to the gospel message.
Admin

Sun4-JULY-2010	COLCHESTER MILITARY CORRECTION CENTRE
Simon represented Tough Talk at the Colchester MCTC. A good crown of soldiers attended his talk where he gave his testimony and made a gospel challenge.
Admin

Weds7-July-2010	HMP GREENOCK, SCOTLAND
Ian and Arthur flew to Scotland to present their testimonies and give a gospel challenge to the men in HMP Greenock. There was a good crowd of men who listened attentively to both the guys. Later, they spoke to a group of 20-30 men in a local drug rehabilitation centre.
Admin

Weds2-July-2010	HMP DONCASTER
Ian and Arthur represented Tough Talk at HMP Doncaster and were priviledged to be able to present their testimonies and to share the gospel message with a good crowd of prisoners.They and their message were well received by the men.
Admin

Tue27-July-2010	HMP/YOI FELTHAM
Ian, Arthur and Koya visited Feltham again and had an enthusiastic audience of around 70 young offenders and the staf as well. Koya impressed the lads with his 250 kg squat demonstration. However, the important thing was that they all listened to both Ian and Arthur as they gave testimony to what Jesus Christ had done in their lives.....What a great opportunity to present the gospel to these needy lads!
Admin

Wed25-Aug-2010	HMP GRENDON
Ian and Arthur made the first ever visit of a Tough Talk team to HMP Grendon. This prison was openened around 50 years ago and is the only "Therapeutic Prison" in the UK. All the prisoners here have to voluntarily apply to spend their sentence at this institution and to be willing to be subject to a tough prison regime. They have to be committed to changing their lifestyle. The prison boasts a very low re-offending rate. There were 40-50 prisoners at the meeting and of course a number of staff. The audience were very responsive to the guys as they shared their testimonies and presented the gospel. At the end of the meeting, the guys were very encouraged to meet two prisoners who had recently become believers who were due to be baptised very soon. The gym staff were particularly supportive of what Tough Talk were doing and we are certainly going to be invited back next year.
Admin

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