Newsletters

GEMS -- Helping Missionary Chaplains speak God's Word to men and women who are incarcerated.

Your donations are tax deductible.

GEMS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

Newsletter Summer 2019

We send Missionary Chaplains into prisons to spread the good news! Thank you for your prayers! To help us financially, click here:

Feel free to forward this on to people whom you know may be interested. GEMS newsletters are published four times a year: in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. If you would be interested in receiving our newsletter, please send a message to: GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com or call 850-562-0986 and we would be happy to add you to our mailing list!

Prison Outreach

Missionary Chaplain Service Hours this past quarter

	April ‘19	May ‘19	June ‘19
Prisons	35	43	37
Hours in Prisons	302	344	326
Inmates Served	6,736	5,565	7,680
Miles Traveled	14,995	12,335	12,822

Missionary Chaplains

GEMS is supported by individuals and churches of many denominations.

We count on the prayers and financial donations of those receiving this newsletter.

Thank you for your prayers! To help us financially, click here:

FEATURED CHAPLAIN: Ernest Setzler

Missionary Chaplain Ernest Setzler: Grace and Peace. For the first quarter of 2019, I have been in prisons 27 times, have ministered to 1256 Inmates with 100's of decisions for Christ, and drove over 2600 miles to accomplish this. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory! The rest of the year is going to be just like this. The devil has turned the fire up 7 times hotter than it should be, so that means we have to step up our game, too. We can't do it without you, the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous, Prayer Warriors! God bless you all. Grace and Peace.

Your donations are tax deductible.

GEMS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Upcoming Events:

Annual Benefit Banquet August 10, 2019

Call Candice Nissley at 850-228-9000 today to purchase tickets to the Banquet, or click here to find out how you can become a sponsor:

Annual Benefit Auction November 9, 2019

If you want to order a specific item for the auction, call or text Merrill at 850-447-2033 this summer!

Upcoming Chaplain Events in Prisons:

August 10 several of our Missionary Chaplains will be participating at a yard event at Florida Women’s Reception Center

Past Events:

Ladies Tea April 27, 2019 at Berean Christian Fellowship

Thank you to all who supported our 2019 Ladies Luncheon and Tea on April 27th. We appreciate all who volunteered their time and resources to support our ministry in this way!

Board of Directors:

Jonn Darbyshire	Candice Nissley
Merrill Detweiler	Patrick Phillips
Monroe Hochstedler	Kenneth Stoner
Rob Longshore

Advisory Board Members:

Jonas Bontrager	Lee Hoover
Doug Gingerich	Richard Sauder

At the discretion of the directors, up to 10% of funds received may be contributed to: partnering ministries, supporting ministries, and like-minded prison-related ministries.

GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

P.O. Box 180505

Tallahassee, FL 32318

850-562-0986

Email: GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com

Nonprofit organization led by a Board of Directors, Advisory Board & Fundraising Committee.

Primarily serving North Florida Correctional Institutions

Thank you for your prayers and support! To help us financially, click here.

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GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

Newsletter Spring 2019

We send Missionary Chaplains into prisons to spread the good news!

GEMS newsletters are published four times a year: in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. If you would be interested in receiving our newsletter, please send a message to: GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com or call 850-562-0986 and we would be happy to add you to our mailing list!

Prison Outreach

Our Missionary Chaplains were busy!

	November 2018	December 2018	January 2019
Chaplains	11	11	11
Prisons	31	31	28
hours in prisons	323	236	258
inmates served	6,477	4.920	4,352
miles traveled	13,233	10,674	10,305

Missionary Chaplains

Ken Cofield	Harley Lamoureux
Lanette Escobar	Dan Nase
Dan Evans	Gene Presley
Johnnie Gentry	Freddie Rouse
Rob Hawkins	Ernest Setzler
Scott Heburn

GEMS is supported by individuals and churches of all denominations.

We count on the prayers and financial donations of those receiving this newsletter.

FEATURED CHAPLAIN: HARLEY LAMOUREUX

I was born in the housing projects of Jacksonville, FL. My mother made sure we attended church, and at the age of eight, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. After studying missions, I was called to be a missionary at age 13. Not long after that, events at my church turned me off to religion. In my rebellion, and searching for a place to belong, I became a part of the drug culture, using and selling drugs. This eventually led to arrest and incarceration, and I vowed that I would never return to prison.

A few years after my release, I found myself at a missionary conference, during which I renewed my call to be a missionary. I had an opportunity to go to Liberia for a short-term mission trip. The problem was that I could not get a visa because of my felony conviction. At church, I was asked to visit someone’s neighbor’s son in prison. Although I fought this request, I found myself standing in the chapel at the prison, sharing my testimony, and saying words that I never thought of. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “This is your mission field.”

I have been ministering in prison since 1984.

FEATURED BOARD MEMBER: CANDICE NISSLEY

Candice is returning to GEMS as a Board of Director after taking time off due to an ill father. She previously served on the Board from 2006-2013. We are happy to welcome Candice back!

Candice has lived in Tallahassee for 27 years, moving here from Sarasota, Florida. She and Mike have been married for 28 years and have five children. Candice went to school for business and accounting and has owned her own businesses, worked as an account executive for Estee Lauder, and is currently the Hospitality Director for Community Leadership Academy.

Candice enjoys organizing and creating the Annual Ladies Teas and Banquet Fundraisers to share what GEMS is all about. Candice is thankful to serve with the gifts God has given her. She felt called to serve with GEMS after a fundraiser she led for The Women’s Pregnancy Center in 2005.

After this event she learned of the need for the prison ministry by a board member. She knew nothing of the prison ministry and couldn’t understand why God would call her to this ministry. She spoke with her dad who reminded her of God’s calling to serve where He calls you, to trust in His timing, and be the vessel of God’s hope and unconditional love. She could do this by using the gifts God gave her. After much prayer with her husband, we had our First Ladies Tea at Berean Christian Fellowship in the spring of 2006.

Candice is thankful to take a part in this wonderful team of Directors, Advisors, Chaplains, volunteers, and former inmates. It blesses her to hear their amazing testimonies of faith and love for Jesus.

If what we do touches the heart of one lost sheep, then we will have done what God called us to do. That is the reason for her joy in serving. It’s not so much the numbers who hear God’s Word but the one who hears His Word and accepts His truth, love, grace, and forgiveness, and forever is changed as a result.

Your donations are tax deductible.

GEMS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Upcoming Events:

Ladies Tea April 27, 2019 at Berean Christian Fellowship

Annual Benefit Banquet August 10, 2019

Annual Benefit Auction November 9, 2019

Board of Directors:

Jonn Darbyshire	Candice Nissley
Merrill Detweiler	Patrick Phillips
Monroe Hochstedler	Kenneth Stoner
Rob Longshore

Advisory Board Members:

Jonas Bontrager	Lee Hoover
Doug Gingerich	Richard Sauder

At the discretion of the directors, up to 10% of funds received may be contributed to: partnering ministries, supporting ministries, and like-minded prison-related ministries.

GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

P.O. Box 180505

Tallahassee, FL 32318

850-562-0986

Email: GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com

Nonprofit organization led by a Board of Directors, Advisory Board & Fundraising Committee.

Primarily serving North Florida Correctional Institutions

Thank you for your support!

Gospel Express Ministries South

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GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

Newsletter Winter 2018

It has been a busy 2018 at GEMS!

Prison Outreach

Our Missionary Chaplains were busy!

	August 2018	Sept. 2018	Oct. 2018
Chaplains	11	11	11
Prisons	28	41	26
hours in prisons	317	329	222
inmates served	7,126	8,876	3,741
miles traveled	13,045	13,246	7,065

Missionary Chaplains

Ken Cofield	Harley Lamoureux
Lanette Escobar	Dan Nase
Dan Evans	Gene Presley
Johnnie Gentry	Freddie Rouse
Rob Hawkins	Ernest Setzler
Scott Heburn

GEMS is not supported by any one church or denomination.

We count on the prayers and financial donations of those receiving this newsletter.

FEATURED CHAPLAIN: FREDDIE ROUSE

Missionary Chaplain Freddie Rouse

Hello, my name is Freddie Rouse, a GEMS Missionary Chaplain. According to Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." This biblical statement is true because I am a man born to trouble, fatherless at birth, raised by my mother and grandmother. I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior at the age of 12 years old. I grew up an A student throughout my early school years before the lifestyle of the wicked attracted my attention and heart desires. I didn't pursue a higher education because my mother lost her job soon after I graduated from Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL. I had to work full-time to take care of my family with the help of God and He never disappointed. At the age of 25 I encountered the beginning of a relationship with the criminal justice system that included federal, state and local incarceration expanding over a three- decade period (1984-2008). Most of my adult life experiences have been related to the men and women we minister to on behalf of the kingdom of God. Men and women who have been part of broken families, alcohol and drug addictions, homelessness, and joblessness with no education, bad relationships, and having no sense of direction in their lives.

The environment I grew up in was drug infested, heavy alcohol consumption, prostitution, teen pregnancies, day labor cycle, and violence. Experience in any situation is the best teacher in this journey of life. I am a reflection and witness that have partaken in many of the life situations and hardships like most of the men and woman we engage. Jesus says in John 16:33 “be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” I John 5:4 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory.” As of today I am a 55 year old graduate of FAMU (BSW 2016) and a MSW degree from Florida State University 2018, a father, granddad, husband and a GEMS Missionary Chaplain. I am not bashful about my age or my past. Before I came to this point in God’s plan, I had been on a journey of life shaped by affliction, storms and fiery trials that molded me into this Son of God, and disciple of Jesus Christ today. As a GEMS Missionary Chaplain, I believe I can provide support in helping people connect with the truth. There is nothing too hard for God and the best is yet to come. I tell the men and women that I am a reflection of them in the mirror and what they can become with the help of Jesus Christ our Lord. As a GEMS Chaplain, I preach that Jesus can enhance their lives no matter what they may be experiencing at that moment. The Word of God is quick, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. The Word that changed my life into being outgoing, energetic, with a positive attitude, assertiveness in the Word, very sociable, enjoy being with people, participating in the plan of God, and having a love for God’s people. This is who I am today and I regret nothing He used to confirm Roman 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” That is what I embrace the most, my brothers and sisters in GEMS, the work we do to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and unsaved. To God be the glory.

GEMS Benefit Auction 2018

We thank God for allowing GEMS to have a successful auction this year. Two of our board members were in Ohio the second week in October helping to gather items for the auction while Hurricane Michael came storming through the panhandle of Florida. Within a few hours on October 10^ththe area where many of our supporters reside was devastated. While we were concerned that the storm could adversely affect the results of the auction, we committed the results to the Lord and pressed forward as though the success depended on us. Understandably the number of bidders was lower than usual due to storm related issues causing some items to be sold at bargain prices, making great deals for those who were in attendance. In reality the auction netted about 14% below normal, which we consider a success under the circumstances. By faith we believe that God will provide the finances, allowing us to continue supporting our eleven chaplains appropriately, who are so faithful in the ministry that they are called to.

GEMS is blessed to have many generous supporters who contributed high quality items and some supporters made generous monetary contributions. We wish to express our thanks to all who supported this annual fundraising event, both buyers and contributors, especially the individuals and businesses in Ohio and Indiana. Because of the funds raised at the auction and the monthly contributions, we were able to bless the chaplains with monetary bonuses over and above their monthly compensations. We praise the Lord!

Only in eternity will we know how many inmates came to the Lord because of this ministry. Together we are making a difference in the lives of inmates.

Submitted by

Merrill Detweiler

Auction Committee Chairman

Your donations are tax deductible.

GEMS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Upcoming Events:

Watch for announcements of upcoming events!

Annual Benefit Banquet 2019

Annual Benefit Auction 11/09/19

Board of Directors:

Jonn Darbyshire	Candice Nissley
Merrill Detweiler	Patrick Phillips
Monroe Hochstedler	Kenneth Stoner
Rob Longshore

Advisory Board Members:

Jonas Bontrager	Lee Hoover
Doug Gingerich	Richard Sauder

At the discretion of the directors, up to 10% of funds received may be contributed to: partnering ministries, supporting ministries, and like-minded prison-related ministries.

GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

P.O. Box 180505

Tallahassee, FL 32318

850-562-0986

Email: GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com

Nonprofit organization led by a Board of Directors, Advisory Board & Fundraising Committee.

Primarily serving North Florida Correctional Institutions

Thank you for your support!

Gospel Express Ministries South

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PRISONGEMS/

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GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

Newsletter Summer 2018

Enjoy our Summer newsletter!

Prison Outreach

Our Chaplains were busy!

	April 2018	May 2018	June 2018
Chaplains	9	9	9
Prisons	36	23	32
hours in prisons	345	255	299
inmates served	9,739	3,584	6,657
miles traveled	13,597	10,512	11,670

Missionary Chaplains

Ken Cofield	Scott Heburn
Lanette Escobar	Dan Nase
Dan Evans	Gene Presley
Billy Farran	Freddie Rouse
Rob Hawkins	Ernest Setzler

GEMS is not supported by any one church or denomination.

We count on the prayers and financial donations of those receiving this newsletter.

At the discretion of the Directors, up to 10% of funds received may be contributed to: partnering ministries, supporting ministries, and like-minded prison related ministries.

FEATURED CHAPLAIN: DAN EVANS

Missionary Chaplain Dan Evans

I have been involved with GEMS since 2016 as a volunteer chaplain, but really have been touched by them long before Dan Nase ever asked me to come to a meeting! When I was incarcerated at Liberty CI from 2001-2008, I was moved by this group of men who would come down to the compound and actually “hang out” with us on “our turf” instead of the inmate population going up to the chapel. I saw what kind of an impact that had on those who had the hardest of hearts. Their mindset was, “If these guys aren’t afraid to come where I am, then I can at least listen to what they have to say either here on the compound or up at the chapel.”

So, I determined to one day be a part of a ministry that did these such things as eat with the guys in the chow hall, go back to confinement and pray with the guys back there, etc.” God planted His seed for prison ministry in my heart through GEMS doing what they do.

I currently teach classes weekly at Holmes CI on Tuesday morning and Wakulla CI Work Camp on Thursday mornings. I also bring groups of volunteers in with me for worship services once and sometimes twice a month to Holmes and ACI – West. I am currently in talks with Chaplain Tease at Jefferson CI to try and start coming in there for worship services.

I am the Director of Harvest of Life Prison Ministry and this ministry currently corresponds with over 400 inmates.

I am so blessed that God placed a burden in my heart for those incarcerated while I was incarcerated and I am so thankful He has provided the way and the opportunities for me to be an encouragement to those who may not have any hope to know that all things are possible with God! My life’s verse is Jeremiah 32:27, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?”

Here are a couple testimonies from letters we have received:

“Harvest of Life has meant so much more in my heart, and I’m sure those who share my current stature are in agreement when I say, an example and standard is being raised by God through Harvest of Life. Everyone knows someone in prison, whether physically or spiritually - saved or lost. Harvest of Life is reaching them with the gospel. It’s similar to the love expressed when a mother, brother, son, or neighborhood friend stops by to say, “Hey! Jesus is real and He sent me to say He knows where you are and you are loved!” – Michael

"A year ago, my world was shifted. I was discouraged, alone, and in need of something/someone to embrace me. It would be pious to say, “All I needed was the assurance that the Lord was with me,” because reality is sometimes you don’t feel that way. Then Harvest of Life came in and brought the Lord with them and the Lord found me or I found the Lord in them!” – Brian.

Dan Evans

Featured Board Member: Lee Hoover

Lee Hoover

I was born in Lebanon, PA in 1978, and moved to Southwest Georgia as a teenager with my family. Jan and I were married in 1999 and God has blessed us with 5 children. We currently reside in Pelham GA, and I serve as a bivocational pastor at Faith Mennonite Mission and am involved in an agricultural endeavor as well as a family electrical business.

My first exposure to prison ministry was about 20 years ago with the Gospel Express prison crusades. As I observed the hunger for God that many of those inmates had, it moved me to continue to be a part of that good work. Over the years I have been periodically involved in prison ministry in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida in various capacities as counselor, evangelist, and teacher. It is a blessing to be involved in the support of our dedicated chaplains, as well as give guidance to the ministry as we move forward. -Lee

Your donations are tax deductible.

GEMS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars!

Annual Benefit Auction 11/10/18

Board of Directors:

Jonn Darbyshire	Rob Longshore
Merrill Detweiler	Patrick Phillips
Monroe Hochstedler	Kenneth Stoner

Advisory Board Members:

Jonas Bontrager	Doug Gingerich
Lee Hoover

GEMS

Gospel Express Ministries South

P.O. Box 180505

Tallahassee, FL 32318

850-562-0986

Email:

GEMSprisonministry@gmail.com

Website:

www.GEMSprisonministry.org

FaceBook:

www.FaceBook.com/PrisonGEMS

Nonprofit organization led by a Board of Directors, Advisory Board & Fundraising Committee.

Primarily serving North Florida Correctional Institutions

Thank you for your support!

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GEMS Newsletters are published twice a year, in February and August. If you would be interested in receiving the GEMS newsletters by email, please send a message to gemsprisonministry@gmail.com and we would be happy to add you to our email list! :)

Februaruy 2017 newsletter:

August 2016:

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