June greetings … It’s been a huge blessing to assist with flood relief in Nashville, TN the last few weeks, specifically partnering with a wonderful Spanish-speaking congregation, El Shaddai Christian Church, both with man power (the female kind) and brain power. 
I went down to Tennessee for demolition duties (I have the dust, dirt and concrete-covered clothes to prove it ), but was also asked to assist with the creation of a new PR campaign to communicate long-term church vision for ministry to the Spanish-speaking community 4in the metro-Nashville region (see “Coming Up Daisies”).
But back to prison ministry … We have a number of new events and projects in the works for which we request prayer and monetary support. I know it’s a financially-challenging season for many of you interested in supporting this ministry, so we welcome any level of support you feel led to offer.
Here are the specifics of needs and ministry opportunities:
- Prison show at Vandalia Correctional Center, a minimum-security men’s prison in Vandalia, IL with WIBI. Their leadership has requested the show, even in the midst of a chaplain transition, and are committed to the event … so we would like to deliver on the opportunity. Cost $5000 (we have received approx. $500 towards the event).
- Prison show at a federal institution in the region. Until we are further through the approval process, I need to withhold the facility name, but in addition to a personal interest in the facility, it would be a good step for Hope Shows to initiate relationship with the federal corrections system. Cost $5000.
- Fall “Hope Rocks the Region” Campus/Community Coffeehouse Tour … Hope Shows, in partnership with Centricity Music and Prison Fellowship, will produce two mini-tours in two regions (hopefully Indianapolis, IN – where I can proudly wear my Hoosier colors – and Lexington, KY). Each mini-tour in a region will consist of three college campus (M-W) visit days w/ morning chapel, afternoon songwriting and prison ministry workshops, and evening coffeehouse; followed by a larger songwriter-in-the-round Hope Rocks benefit concert on Thursday evening at a centrally-located church (for all ages) in support of a Hope Shows prison concert in the region. The “Hope Rocks the Region” tours will advance the three-fold mission of Hope Shows to (1) advance the hope of the gospel as presented by Christian music, (2) encourage hurting communities through the ministry of music, and (3) engage the next generation in prison ministry. Three components of the Hope Shows regional outreach:
- Campus Visits … Prison Fellowship’s “Forgive, Don’t Forget” campaign serves as a sponsor of the campus visits on each tour. College students will hear the message of brokenness, captivity, hope and healing, and how this translates into prison ministry, in addition to being equipped with a plan to develop a campus prison ministry. Cost $6000/per week of three campus visits for artists honorariums, travel expenses and production needs. Total cost for two weeks $12,000.
- Hope Rocks Benefit Concert for prison ministry … College students will be invited to attend a regional Hope Rocks benefit concert for a prison show in the area on the Thursday evening following the three campus visit days. This songwriter-in-the-round events, “An Evening with Hope,” will focus on the theme of hope and healing through music performed by top CCM songwriters – remembering Jesus’ call to visit those in prison as if each inmate were Him, and providing an opportunity for the region to respond in support of a prison show. Cost $8000/event for artists honorariums, travel expenses and production needs. Total cost for two regional events $16,000. Hope Shows seeks corporate and community sponsorships for the Hope Rocks benefit events in order for all ticket fees, merchandise revenue and love offering gifts to be put toward the prison show.
- Hope Shows Prison Show … A regional prison will be selected for a Hope Shows prison concert, produced from the proceeds of the affiliated Hope Rocks benefit concert and additional gifts (if needed). Cost $5,000 per show. Total cost for two prison shows $10,000.
- Hope Shows Merch Ministry … Hope Shows plans to show up at Christian music festivals and other events with a new HS merch, featuring some of your favorite Christian music lyrics that include the word, “hope.” The back of each shirt will have the “turn up the music” phrase followed by www.HopeRocksCampaign.com. We will also seek the support of the artists associated with each shirt, by having them sell their HS lyric shirt at their booth … promoting Hope Shows prison ministry with proceeds from each sale to benefit the Hope Rocks Campaign.Currently the plan is to offer the t-shirts for $20. For each shirt sold by Hope Shows, $5 will go toward the t-shirt cost, $5 to the artist and $10 to the Hope Rocks Campaign for future prison ministry shows. For each shirt sold by the associated artist (the t-shirt features their lyric), $5 will go toward the t-shirt cost, $10 to the artist and $5 to the Hope Rocks Campaign. Cost for initial merch inventory $10,000.
In addition to these prison ministry initiatives, we are also partnering with other nonprofit organizations in the production of cause-related benefit concerts. Can’t wait to share more about one of these in particular (HINT: you’ll need your leathers on to fit in ).
Thank you for the many times you have spoken on our behalf to share the need for prison ministry. Although God continues to bring me along on this journey of his directives in Matthew 25 (just as He may be doing for you), the needs are pretty simple … feed, clothe and shelter the poor, care for the sick and visit those in prison. Prison ministry is in His “top 5″ for service on His behalf … and God has shown us just one way of advancing this need, with music and through music.
Support Hope Shows 2010 events through online giving or by sending a donation to Hope Shows, P.O. Box 652, Greenville, IL 62246. Thank you.
SUPPORT NOTE: Hope Shows has submitted paperwork to the IRS requesting tax-exemption status as a 501(c)3 organization, yet awaits approval.
