Pastor's Message

Jesus said: “I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:36

Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Hebrews 13:3

On my refrigerator is a white piece of cardstock in the form of a dove. I received it at the Revive conference in June. This dove was called the dove of commitment and we were asked to write on it one thing we would commit to doing as a result of our participation in the conference. My dove says: “Become a First Friend.”

I learned about First Friends from Bill Wakefield. Bill is a businessman and a member of the Nassau Presbyterian Church. Bill is also a First Friend. It is an organization that links up volunteers with individuals in the Elizabeth Detention Center where people are held while waiting for immigration hearings. Although no one is a criminal in the center, they are held in prison-like conditions and have limited access to people outside of the facility. Bill was assigned John Nasir, a young man from Kashmir who came into the US and asked for asylum in 2006. In 2000, when he was 25 years  old, he converted to Christianity in Kashmir, and six years later he faced religious persecution. “Two men came to kill me,” he said, noting that they had murdered his godfather and another friend. When John arrived in the US and asked for asylum he was placed in the detention center for nine months. Bill visited him faithfully and was eventually able to arrange for his release. John, who has worshiped with us, is still waiting for his asylum hearing.

There are more people who need friends: people who will care about them, people who will listen to their stories and people who will pray for them. This is something I can do. After the conference I sent Bill an email and he sent me the information on First Friends. It will begin with training by Sister Regina Holtz. Sister Regina says that training will be scheduled sometime in the near future.

My request is that you pray for the people in the detention center and for First Friends and for me as I begin the process. I’ll keep you informed about my journey.

Grace and peace,

Anita
 

Last updated 7/11/10