Dear Friends,   

On April 21, a great tree fell in the forest.  Thankfully, that tree spread seeds of love and forgiveness across the globe. Charles W. Colson, Christian lawyer and founder of Prison Fellowship ministries was promoted to Glory this past weekend following his surgery for a brain hemorrhage suffered on March 31.  

While many of the obituaries in the media focused on Colson's role in the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration, it is God's grace and healing and the redemptive power of forgiveness that set apart this humble follower of Jesus.  He was a powerful voice for the Kingdom and an articulate spokesman for God's redeeming work, especially through the work of prison ministry and in encouraging believers to live out a Christian worldview in a way that is winsome and unrepentant.  Chuck had a great sense of humor and I fondly remember his great smile and his smiling eyes each time I had opportunity to interact with him.  I consider him to be one of my heroes.  

As a former employee of Prison Fellowship International, I was personally impacted by Chuck Colson.  Advocates International often works hand-in-hand with Prison Fellowship ministries in various countries and we are honored to partner with these tremendous people.  Please continue to pray for his wife Patty, his children and grandchildren, and the entire Prison Fellowship family at this time. 

Thanks again for your prayers.

May the Lord bless and keep you in His perfect. . .