Greater Waco Emmaus Group
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Greater Waco Emmaus Group
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Epiphany Ministries Of Texas Epiphany Ministry, Inc. is a 501-c3 ecumenical organization that ministers to youthful offenders incarcerated in state institutions. The mission of Epiphany is to offer youth an opportunity to change their lives through the saving grace of Jesus Christ .Mission The mission of Epiphany Ministries is to offer incarcerated youth an opportunity to change their lives and value systems by introducing them to Jesus Christ. Epiphany seeks to meet the basic need of these youth to feel that their lives are worthwhile because of God’s endless love for them. Description Epiphany is a short three-day course in Christianity that brings to incarcerated juveniles the message of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. It is an ecumenical Christian ministry for young people who are in custody. Texas Initiative The first Epiphany was held in Texas in 1995 at the Clemens Unit in Brazoria, a maximum-security unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice housing juveniles who have been certified and tried as adults. In addition to the Clemens Unit, Epiphany now holds weekends at the Gainesville State School, the Bill Clayton Correctional Center in Littlefield, the Hamilton Unit in Bryan, the McLennan County Correctional Facility in Mart and we are growing. Our Goal Our goal is to spread the ministry throughout the state in order to reach youthful offenders in all the institutional facilities of the Texas Youth Commission .Weekend Participants Approximately fifty volunteers are needed to successfully conduct a weekend. The volunteers make up two teams: an "outside team" to cook meals and an "inside team" who goes into the facility for eleven hours each day to minister to 30-40 youth. The youth participating on the weekend are called "Stars." Family groups consisting of a spiritual director, one table leader, an assistant table leader and five Stars are placed together for the duration of the weekend. The most important participants in the weekend however, are the prayer warriors who are constantly in prayer 24 hours a day. People from all over the world take part in the prayer chain that serves as a visible sign of God’s love for the Stars. Other vital participants are those who give financially to sustain the ministry. Weekend Highlights In the afternoon of the second day, a surprise birthday party is given for all the Stars complete with their names on a cake, a card signed by every volunteer and a gift. This is an emotional time as the volunteers are standing in a circle around the Stars singing "You Are Loved". Another powerful moment during the weekend comes when the Stars nail lists of people they need to forgive to a wooden cross. It is not unusual to experience forgiveness between rival gang members during this service. On the third day, the Stars are given a bag of letters hand written by each team member expressing Christ’s love for them. In addition, the Stars are given the opportunity to share what the weekend has meant to them. Impact on the Stars The most rewarding part of Epiphany is seeing how God has revealed himself to the Stars. "Epiphany taught me to forgive others and to love them …" "I found love…and got rid of a lot of hate… It took God’s love!" "I’ve learned about God and gotten some answers to questions." "It’s nice to know someone cares for you and loves you-and you don’t even know them." "Before Epiphany I believed in God, but Jesus just wasn’t alive. Now I know what being a Christian really is." How You Can Help
Contact Us If you would like to know more information about Epiphany Ministries, please contact us at either of the following addresses. Information
Information Information
Would you like to participate. You may fill you a team application or contact: Sheri Short
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Dyann Ketcham |
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