foreword
VOLUME 2
ISSUE 1
by Jacob Stanley, Jackson Correctional Institution
In a society where the very meaning and experience of the words:
purpose, love, honor, morale, leadership, liberty, and joy have
been viciously distorted, leaving our friends, children and
parents in a downward spiral—trying to find love, purpose,
prestige, contentment and happiness in detrimental ways—there
is no better time than now, for the blinding truth and
transforming power of Jesus to be modeled in words and action,
in our schools, churches, daycares, homes, work places and
prisons (Deut. 6:5-9)! There is a dire need for godly men and
women of all ages to take a stand for their convictions and to live
as an example that sets aflame the minds and hearts of people
around us, to find new and overflowing life that’s only in a
personal relationship with Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17, 1 Jn. 5:1-5).
513FREE has been inspirational in taking this courageous stand;
setting an example for all of us to emulate. It’s the goal and focus of 513FREE, with your partnership and/or
financial support, to continue to bring spiritual reformation and
community transformation to other lives and communities
throughout the state via their Christ-centered mentorship
program, Tandem, their Christ-centered outreach events, and The
Pen Project—which 513FREE continues to co-write with those
behind prison fences and those in the community, whose lives
have been radically and incomparably changed by the new life
only found in a personal relationship with Jesus.
513FREE has been committed to sharing the new life and
freedom that’s found in Jesus, not only by what they say, but by
what they have done and continue to do for the people in their
communities, the at-risk, and the incarcerated. I have been
blessed with the awesome privilege of getting to know and
working with 513FREE this past year. It’s been an awesome
experience, an honor, and truly life transforming! They continue
to give a voice to the forgotten by inviting them to partake in The
Pen Project, have strengthened the hearts of the weak through
their outreach events and mentorship program, and have given
many a renewed purpose by inviting people from all walks of life
to join them in breaking the disheartening cycle of fatherless
homes and incarceration by sharing the love and hope of Jesus.
The members of 513FREE have proven to be pace-setters in
transforming the environment of their communities. The Pen Project is focused on inspiring you to radically live for
Christ, in different areas of your life, the same way we, ourselves,
have been inspired by others who live for Christ (Mark 8:34-35).
In the pages that follow, of this 1st issue of volume 2 of The Pen
Project, our prayer is that the content would minister to the weak
in heart, encourage dependence upon the completed sacrifice of
Christ, fill the voids of the empty, and call you into action in
partnering with 513FREE by using your spiritual gifts (Rom.
12:5-8) to impact and transform the lies of those you come in
contact with.
In what way can you effect change in your community - and will
you? What are some pressing needs and/or problems you can lend
your hand to - individually or as a family (James 2:14-17)? How
are you doing when it comes to following through on your
commitments?
May the riches of His mercy and grace be upon you as you read
through and meditate on the following contents. All praise be to
God!
3