The Murray Unit in Gatesville has invited us to establish a faith based dorm and 56 women have been accepted to practice their faith and live in accountable relationships. Prison dorms in themselves are designed for natural accountability. Living together in tight quarters brings issues such as anger, dealing with conflict, boundaries and intimacy to the surface. We are teaching on these subjects in our Life Skills class, Most women come into the system bruised and battered.
Our goal is to ground these women in the truths of scripture with units of study like the Alpha course.
The program is designed to assist offenders and their families and ultimately public safety. A non-denominational program, offenders of all faiths are welcome to apply as long as they are willing to abide by the rules. More
This recovery program emphasizes personal responsibility. Instead of playing the "accuse and excuse" game of victimization, this program helps people face up to their own poor choices and deal with what they can do something about. We cannot control all that happens to us. But we can control how we respond to everything. That is a secret of happiness. When we stop wasting time fixing the blame, we have more energy to fix the problem. When you stop hiding your own faults and stop hurling accusations at others, then the healing power of Christ can begin working in your mind, will and emotions.
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The Alpha course is normally run over a period of ten weeks. At each session there is a chance for fellowship followed by the talk. After the talk, participants divide into pre-arranged groups - each group has two leaders and two helpers who may have completed a previous course, or be prison staff or volunteers.
"I learned from Alpha that being a Christian can be fun.I've made the commitment to start over in Christ.I've died to my old ways and I'm being resurrected in Christ in my new life.The mistakes I've made are over with and I've asked God to forgive me."
Sherri, ex-offender - USA
I have learned through the Alpha Course to show love, forgiveness and peace to all my neighbors and my enemies. I have also learned a lot from the Alpha Course through reading, praying and meditating.