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Happy New Year from
The Heart of Texas Foundation, Inc. |
Greetings!
Much is happening at The Heart of Texas Foundation--all thanks to you and to your prayers, phone calls, emails, financial gifts, ALL of which is encouragement to us each day. We thank God for each one of you! God has opened so many doors in the first year of our operation as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization! It's hard to believe, but you have been vital to all that has happened. Thank you!
The Heart of Texas Foundation
Why are we different?
To begin with, federal laws generally require that state prison programs focus on the head-knowledge of prisoners. Education. Training. Inmates absolutely do benefit from such programs. When it comes to complete rehabilitation, however, many today say that inmate education makes most inmates-- not all-- smarter criminals. They point to the incredibly high recidivism rates as proof that a "top down" education doesn't transform the person. What most observers seem to agree upon is that a moral change, from the "inside out", is real change. As prison officials well know, the head is not where moral change occurs. A person's morality changes when the person's heart changes. Moral change is the key to the moral compass. Truly moral people don't murder, steal, and victimize others.
The Heart of Texas Foundation focuses on the prisoner's broken moral compass. That broken compass is embedded in the heart of every prisoner, whether man, woman, or child. That's what we mean by the broken heart. No one disputes the evidence that once a prisoner's heart changes, and that change is based on moral truths, the s compass swings-- and everything about that person begins to change. Violence decreases, that means fewer victims, and recidivism rates plummet downward. The changed person has a hunger for more moral truth, and that truth guides their decision-making. They now will hunger for knowledge that has a positive moral purpose. They discover how to make their lives count for something. And the great moral truths? Where are they to be found? It's proven that hearts can and do change when they are exposed to the great truths in the Bible. That's our focus, that's our impact, that's our goal.
We're amazed at how inmates react to our prison events. We begin an event by visually showing the prisoners God's offer of the one thing they all know they need: forgiveness. That's where our message begins, and we share it in a way that catches them totally off guard. You see, the biggest lie an inmate hears in prison is that "God will never forgive you for what you've done." We hit that lie head on, and it breaks down the hardest of hearts in the first hour.
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Here's a quick update on THE FIRST SEMINARY-BASED BIBLE COLLEGE IN A TEXAS PRISON 
We at The Heart of Texas Foundation are in the very center of the activity surrounding the development of the first Texas Seminary-based Bible College in a Texas Penitentiary. With the help of a great many people and organizations in Texas, as well as Senior-Warden Burl Cain of the famed Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, and senior executives at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, we will start our first Seminary-based Bible College classes in February of 2011, in the maximum-security penitentiary known as "Darrington", located in Rosharon, Texas (about 25 miles south of Houston).
Take a look at the scope of this miracle! Following are the Key Players
who are working with us to make this happen.
Only God couldcoordinate this number of people and major Texas organizations for such an historic undertaking: Senator John Whitmire, Chairman of the Texas Criminal Justice Committee Senator Dan Patrick, Member, Texas Criminal Justice Committee
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Fort Worth, TX
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) Fort Worth, TX The College of Biblical Studies, (CBS) Houston, TX The Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) Angola, LA The State of Louisiana The Darrington Penitentiary, Rosharon, TX
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, LA
The Heart of Texas Foundation, (HOTF) Houston, TX
Our first 40 students
have been picked from over 600 applicants in Texas. After beginning with 40 in February of this year, we hope to add additional students and increase the class size to 80 by fall semester.
The location of our first Bible College: Darrington Maximum-Security Penitentiary, in Rosharon, TX. (We will work hard to help establish additional Bible Colleges in our prisons. Why? Texas has the most imprisoned people in America, and moral change inside our population is something we all know will reduce victims. More Bible Colleges would mean moral change occurring more rapidly and more widespread in our systems. We do need multiple Bible Colleges in Texas.)
The Bible College Director and Faculty have been selected.
Well-known seminary professor, Dr. Ben Phillips, has been chosen by the President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to take the lead
in running the Darrington Bible College. Teaching the first two courses beginning in February of 2011 will be Dr. Denny Autrey, Dean of the Havard Campus in Houston (SWBTS), and Dr. Paul Shockley, professor at College of Biblical Studies and Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Take a look at the Floor Plan for the Darrington Campus:
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Why Bring Bible Colleges into Texas Prisons?
BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF TEXAS. Children are the un-voiced victims of crime. Nearly all of the inmates who have been accepted into the Bible College are fathers, and most of them are estranged from their children. National studies tell us that 70-80% of their children will end up in prisons. Once a father's (or mother's) heart truly undergoes a moral change, parents in prison begin to restore broken relationships, to prevent their children from suffering any further. We strive to bring about moral change in the hearts of inmate fathers and mothers so they will be ignited to reach out to their children.
See AP report on children of inmates....
See Oklahoma Study on children of imprisoned mothers run risk 500% higher for prison themselves....
BECAUSE WE WANT TO CAUSE MORAL REHABILITATION WITHIN THE PRISON. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
We believe that the only true rehabilitation is moral rehabilitation. This means a "change of heart." Without a true change of heart, education alone will only produce smarter criminals.
Typically, the inmates were mean when they went into prison, and they will be mean when they get out--- unless they experience a change of heart while inside.
The Heart of Texas Foundation is dedicated to helping inmates' hearts to change. When the heart changes, everything changes.
And the children are always better for it.
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Our Current Needs List.
Here are things that we need as we begin the New Year:
- For the Bible College Classroom, 140 Chairs for the classroom, Library, and Study Center, $50 per chair = $7,000
- For the Bible College Classroom & Library & Study Center, 35 Bible College Tables $106-$129 per table, some 6' and some 8', with shipping = $4358
- For the Bible College Classroom, on the instructor's Podium: small Yahama or Peavy sound system with Audio Board, wireless lapel microphone, wireless handheld microphone-- $1500
- For the Bible College Classroom, Two 40-50' flat LCD/LED screens to show professor's PowerPoint illustrations, DVDs, Video sermons, etc., during class-- $2,000
- For the Bible College Professors' Offices: We need two standard office desks, one for each of the two Offices, and a third desk for the Theological Library desk.
- Help Heart of Texas Foundation meet our operating budget for 2011. Regular help gives us the stability a small business needs. Thank you. We have been asked to go into all the Texas Prisons-- ALL the prisons--- and that's a big number. It will take us at least 5 years. No regular gift is too small. Click here to Donate now.
- Are you a CHURCH PASTOR WHO KNOWS OUR WORK? We would be honored to become a ministry Covenant Partner with you and your members. Let us talk with you about how we do that. We will commit to partnering with you. Pastors please call Grove at 713-418-6990.
- Prayer for safe travels as we visit all the prisons in the State of Texas in the next five years; prayer for the inmates coming into the Bible College program at Darrington; prayer that the inmate students will all have true change of heart through the power of Truth as they study God's word; prayer for the booklet we are hoping to develop in partnership with Angola State Penitentiary to help other states learn how to start their own prison Bible Colleges; prayer for our state Senators and all our state officials as they begin a new year in Austin; prayer for the Heart of Texas Foundation's 2011 Goals, prayer that they are in proper alignment with God's will for us. And prayer for the Bible College, that true moral rehabilitation will continue to progress in Texas and now be augmented and intensified even more, through the influence of the Bible College students.
THANK YOU to Chris and Kim Courts, of Lakeland (Memphis) Tennessee, for donation of the 18 new workstations in the Darrington Bible College Study Center & Computer Lab! Only God could put it on the hearts of Tennessee neighbors to help Texas inmates and The Heart of Texas! We are so grateful to Chris and Kim!
THANK YOU to you special donors who stepped forward in our first year of operation, to help get us on our feet. We pray that you will stay with us as we begin an awesome year ahead.
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Upcoming Events in Jan-Feb 2011
You're welcome to join us!
 Click here to see our complete travel schedule.
January 8-9, Kairos Men's Retreat at Darrington Pentitentiary
Grove and Paul speak at Darrington Kairos Retreat.
Grove and Paul Gray have been invited to attend the 2-day Kairos men's retreat at Darrington maximum security penitentiary, where each will speak to the men. Approximately 100 inmates have signed up for the event, where there will be Bible Study, worship, and devotional talks given by the Kairos team. If you aren't familiar with Kairos, you might find a world of service ahead-- they're one of the most effective prison ministries in the world. Read about Kairos....
January 19-21, Grove takes Faculty to Angola Penitentiary
Historic Trip to Angola Penitentiary. Grove hosts a first-of-its-kind Training Seminar for the new Darrington Bible College Faculty, with the help of the folks who run America's largest maximum-security penitentiary-- Angola. The congenial staff at the famed Angola Penitentiary in Louisiana, led by their Senior Warden Burl Cain, will host this Texas Delegation for training before they begin their classroom duties at the new Darrington Bible College, Texas' first 4-year Bible College. Dr. John Robson, the Director of the Angola Bible College, will be our Seminar and Training facilitator. Read about Angola Prison...& see movie clip!
Inmate Students at Angola's Bible College, in Louisiana ~ Our Model
January 23, Simonton Community Church
Grove speaking at Simonton Community Church, Simonton, Texas. This church is our first "Covenant Partner" church. They have graciously offered to provide some monthly support to help us keep working on our mission. With commit to visit the church regularly and give the members an update on our current activities, and always invite members to join us in volunteering for this exciting Kingdom work. We are deeply grateful to Pastor Steve Littlefield, the Simonton Church Board of Trustees, and the Simonton Missions Committee for their encouragement and support of our work. See you on the 23rd! January 29 & 30, Cotulla & Briscoe Penitentiaries
Trip to Cotulla Penitentiary and Briscoe Penitentiary for a showing of the award-winning documentary, The Heart of Texas, followed by an inspirational talk by Grove to the inmates who watch the film. We also do this in churches and mens/women's retreats as well. We charge no fees and welcome the opportunity to share the miracle of the Changed Life.
Grove at Parkway Fellowship Church, Houston
February 7, Key Player's Meeting in Houston
Key Player's Meeting! Texas Seminary Bible College initiative.
Every 90 days we convene the decision-makers who are involved in the historic Texas Bible College initiative. Our meetings take place at the Taste of Texas Restaurant, for invited participants and Key Players. These are the folks to make everything happen as we bring 4-year Bible Colleges into Texas prisons. We at The Heart of Texas Foundation have served as the Project Manager and Facilitator since the inception of the effort.
February 10-12, Plane State Women's Prison Event with Children
Day with Mom in Prison for three days of events planned with Scotty Barnes and Forgiven Ministries as we fellowship, teach, play games, and enjoy activities while children of female inmates are brought into the prison for a day of miraculous love and emotional reunion between incarcerated mothers and their estranged children. 
Pictures of a recent "One Day With Mom in Prison" Event with Forgiven Ministry. You gotta see our event for the children to believe it! We bring the children into prison to be with their moms, some for the first time! We have an event coming up February 10-12, wanna come? Volunteer slots for the event is limited! Email us right away. Contact Kenny at KennyL@heartoftexasfoundation.org. February 24-26, Tres Dias Men's Retreat Many of the The Heart of Texas Foundation's men and women volunteer to bring Christ to a unique weekend retreat for free-world men and women. That's where Grove, Kenny, David, Paul, and many others will be this weekend. This is for the men, but it also prepares them to go into prisons with the Kairos men. See you then!
Click here to see our complete Travel Schedule.
Click here to order the movie, "The Heart of Texas"
Click here to see the Trailer for "The Heart of Texas"
Click here to see a 20 minute documentary on the
Angola Penitentiary Bible College, entitled,
"A New Hope" ~ this is our model
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A Closing Note from Grove Norwood:
On December 30 just past, we completed our first anniversary as an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. It is unbelievable what has been accomplished during the last 365 days. If you have been following the efforts and progress of our work, then you know that only God Himself could have caused such events of wonder to occur. Just take a look at the Events Calendar of last year to get a simple visual of what I'm talking about. Thank you, God!
And thank YOU dear friends. You are involved in helping us change the culture inside our Texas prisons, and I know we will have an impact in other states as well; that has already begun. We fervently are working to bring about a change of heart-- not head-- among our inmates, for when the heart changes, the person changes. True rehabilitation is moral, not intellectual. Moral rehabilitation within a prison has been shown, specifically in the Angola Model, to reduce violence, reduce victims, reduce recidivism, and save lots of taxpayer money. It promotes new hope and peace within a prison as the effects of morality spread among inmates. The Heart of Texas movie, the Heart of Texas message, and the Bible Colleges project all point to our passion to help our nation's prisoners find a true change of heart--- before they get out of prison.
And all of our work will ultimately impact the children of the imprisoned men and women. And it's their hearts we're after, most of all. They are statistically doomed to being incarcerated themselves, according to national studies. We can make a difference in their lives, by reaching their imprisoned mothers and fathers, with the heart-changing truths embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, and His life, words, and work. Thank you for helping us in our mission.
Onward and Upward!
Grove Norwood, Chairman January 2011
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