189 Prisons in August

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

We praise God to be able to send Christian books and Bibles to 189 prisons in August! They are:

1. California Correctional Tehachapi Tehachapi CA
2. Manning Correctional Institution Columbia SC
3. Marcy Correctional Facility Marcy NY
4. Marin County Jail San Rafael CA
5. Marion Adjustment Center Saint Mary KY
6. Marion Correctional Institution Ocala FL
7. Marion Correctional Institution Marion OH
8. Marion Correctional Institution Marion NC
9. Marion County Jail Ocala FL
10. Marion County Jail 11 Indianapolis IN
11. Marion Regional Juv Det Center Ocala FL
12. Mark Lutrell Correctional Center Memphis TN
13. Mark Stiles Unit Beaumont TX
14. Marshall County Correctional Facility Holly Springs MS
15. Martin Correctional Institution Indiantown FL
16. Martin County Jail Stuart FL
17. Maryland Correctional Inst for Women Jessup MD
18. Maryland Correctional Institution - Jessup Jessup MD
19. Maryland Correctional Training Center Hagerstown MD
20. Mat-Su Pretrial Palmer AK
21. Maury Correctional Institution Hookerton NC
22. Mayo Correctional Institution Mayo FL
23. McCormick Correctional Institution McCormick SC
24. McKean County Prison Smithport PA
25. McPherson Unit (Women's) Newport AR
26. McRae Correctional Facility McRae GA
27. Mecklenburg County Jail Charlotte NC
28. Mecklenburg County Jail North Charlotte NC
29. Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Charlotte NC
30. Medina County Sheriff's Office Medina OH
31. Medium John J. Moran Facility Cranston RI
32. Men's State Prison Hardwick GA
33. Menard Correctional Center Menard IL
34. Mendocino County Jail Ukiah CA
35. Mercer County Correctional Center Trenton NJ
36. Metro State Prison (Women's) Atlanta GA
37. Metro Youth Service Center Dorchester MA
38. Metro-Davidson County Detention Nashville TN
39. Miami Correctional Facility Bunker Hill IN
40. Miami-Dade Women's Detention Center Miami FL
41. Michael Unit Tennessee Colony TX
42. Mid-State Correctional Facility Marcy NY
43. Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center Saluda VA
44. Middlesboro Group Home Middlesboro KY
45. Middleton Unit Abilene TX
46. Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center Burley ID
47. Minnesota Correctional Facility- Faribault MN
48. Minnesota Correctional Facility Lino Lakes MN
49. Mississippi State Penitentiary Parchman MS
50. Moberly Correctional Center Moberly MO
51. Mobile County Metro Jail Mobile AL
52. Mohave County Jail Kingman AZ
53. Mohican Juvenile Correctional Facility Perrysville OH
54. Monmouth County Correctional Institution Freehold NJ
55. Monroe County Correctional Facility Stroudsburg PA
56. Monroe County Jail Rochester NY
57. Montcalm County Jail Stanton MI
58. Montgomery City Youth Center Montgomery City MO
59. Montgomery Correctional Ctr Jacksonville FL
60. Montgomery County Jail Conroe TX
61. Morehead Youth Devel Center Morehead KY
62. Morrison Correctional Inst Hoffman NC
63. Morrow County Correctional Facility Mansfield OH
64. Mound Correctional Facility Warehouse Detroit MI
65. Mountain View Correctional Facility Spruce Pine NC
66. Mountain View Youth Development Center Charleston ME
67. Mountainview Youth Corr Facility Annandale NJ
68. Movimiento Evangelistico Peniel Ocala FL
69. Mowlds Cottage for Boys Wilmington DE
70. Mt. Olive Correctional Center Mt. Olive WV
71. Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility Mt. Pleasant IA
72. Multnomah County Jail Portland OR
73. Muscogee Development Campus Midland GA
74. Muskegon Correctional Facility Muskegon MI
75. NWACCC Admin. Services (Women's) Fayetteville AR
76. Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Dept Nacogdoches TX
77. Nash Correctional Institution Nashville NC
78. Nassau County Jail Yulee FL
79. Navajo County Jail Holbrook AZ
80. Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility Omaha NE
81. Neuse Correctional Institute Goldsboro NC
82. New Castle County Detention Center Wilmington DE
83. New Castle Youth Development Center New Castle PA
84. New Hampshire Half-Way House Concord NH
85. New Hampshire State Prison Concord NH
86. New Hanover Correctional Center Wilmington NC
87. New Haven Correctional Center New Haven CT
88. New Jersey State Prison Trenton NJ
89. New Life Outreach Ministries Jay OK
90. New Mexico Women’s Correctional Facility Grants NM
91. New River Correctional Inst Raiford FL
92. Newberry Correctional Facility Newberry MI
93. Noble Correctional Institution Caldwell OH
94. North Branch Correctional Institute Cumberland MD
95. North Central Correctional Institution Marion OH
96. North Central Juvenile Cor Facility Logansport IN
97. North Idaho Correctional Inst Cottonwood ID
98. North Kern State Prison Delano CA
99. North Texas State Hospital Wichita Falls TX
100. North Texas State Hospital-Vernon Vernon TX
101. Northeast Arkansas Reg Juv Prog Harrisburg AR
102. Northeast Ohio Correctional Center Youngstown OH
103. Northern NH Correctional Facility Berlin NH
104. Northern Nevada Correctional Center Carson City NV
105. Northern State Correctional Facility Newport VT
106. Northwest Florida Reception Center Chipley FL
107. Norton Correctional Facility Norton KS
108. Nueces County Jail Corpus Christi TX
109. OL Luther Unit Navasota TX
110. Oahu Community Correctional Ctr Honolulu HI
111. Oak Ridge Juvenile Detention Center Richmond VA
112. Oaks Correctional Facility East Lake MI
113. Odom Correctional Institution Jackson NC
114. Ogle County Detention Center Oregon IL
115. Ohio River Valley Juvenile Corr Facility Franklin Furnace OH
116. Ohio State Penitentiary Youngstown OH
117. Okanogan County Corr Facility Okanogan WA
118. Okeechobee Correctional Institution Okeechobee FL
119. Oklahoma State Reformatory Granite OK
120. Okmulgee County Jail Okmulgee OK
121. Old Colony Correctional Center Bridgewater MA
122. Onondaga County Justice Center Syracuse NY
123. Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center Orangeburg SC
124. Oregon State Penitentiary Salem OR
125. Osborn Correctional Institution Somers CT
126. Osceola County Corrections Kissimmee FL
127. Otisville Correctional Facility Otisville NY
128. Ottawa Cty Dept Corrections Minneapolis KS
129. Otter Creek Correctional Center Wheelwright KY
130. Ouachita River Correctional Unit Malvern AR
131. PBSO Corrections Administration West Palm Beach FL
132. Palm Beach Reg Juv Det Center West Palm Beach FL
133. Palmer Correctional Center Palmer AK
134. Pamlico Correctional Institution Bayboro NC
135. Park County Jail Fairplay CO
136. Parker County Jail Weatherford TX
137. Pasco County Detention Ctr Land of Lakes FL
138. Pasquotank Correctional Inst-Unit 5 Elizabeth City NC
139. Pasquotank Correctional Institution Elizabeth City NC
140. Pelican Bay State Prison Crescent City CA
141. Pender Correctional Institute Burgaw NC
142. Perry Correctional Institution Pelzer SC
143. Perry County Jail Marion AL
144. Perry County Jail Ministry Perryville AR
145. Philadelphia Alternative Center Philadelphia PA
146. Philadelphia Detention Center Philadelphia PA
147. Philadelphia House of Correction Philadelphia PA
148. Philadelphia Indl Corr Center (Women's) Philadelphia PA
149. Philadelphia Indl Corr Center Men's Philadelphia PA
150. Philadelphia Indl Correctional Center Philadelphia PA
151. Phillips State Prison Buford GA
152. Pickaway Correctional Institution Orient OH
153. Pickens County Adult Detention Center Jasper GA
154. Piedmont Correctional Institution Salisbury NC
155. Pierce County Jail Tacoma WA
156. Pike County Correctional Facility Lords Valley PA
157. Pima County Detention Facility Tucson AZ
158. Pine Bluff Unit Pine Bluff AR
159. Pinellas County Jail Clearwater FL
160. Pitchess Detention Center - North Castaic CA
161. Pitt County Detention Center Greenville NC
162. Pitt Juvenile Detention Center Greenville NC
163. Plane State Jail (Women's) Dayton TX
164. Pleasant Valley State Prison Coalinga CA
165. Plymouth County Correctional Facility Plymouth MA
166. Pocahontas State Correctional Ctr Pocahontas VA
167. Pocatello Women's Correctional Center Pocatello ID
168. Polk Correctional Institute Butner NC
169. Poplar Hill Pre-Release Unit Quantico MD
170. Portsmouth City Jail Portsmouth VA
171. Potomac Highlands Regional Jail Augusta WV
172. Powder River Correctional Facility Baker City OR
173. Prairie Correctional Facility Appleton MN
174. Preston E. Smith Unit Lamesa TX
175. Prison Church of the Damascus Rd Fort Dodge IA
176. Prisoners of Hope Ministry Austin TX
177. Pueblo County Detention Facility Women Pueblo CO
178. Pugsley Correctional Facility Kingsley MI
179. Pulaski State Prison (Women's) Hawkinsville GA
180. Putnam Correctional Institution East Palatka FL
181. Putnamville Correctional Facility Greencastle IN
182. Quehanna Boot Camp Karthaus PA
183. Quincy Annex Correctional Institution Quincy FL
184. RFK Children's Action Corps Westboro MA
185. Raleigh Correctional Ctr (Women's) Raleigh NC
186. Randolph Correctional Center Asheboro NC
187. Randolph County Jail Moberly MO
188. Regional Correctional Center Albuquerque NM
189. Restitution Center Union Gap WA

Blessed by the Best (books)

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

It's always a blessing to get lots of books donated! We praise God for His constant provision and the ability this gives CLI to disciple the prison inmates we serve.

We do indeed Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Peace that Surpasses All Understanding

Posted by Coleen Johnson

After I moved out of state last year, my son was arrested---then sentenced to prison. My heart was heavy for him, but confident he was exactly where he needed to be to receive the necessary chastening of God. Hebrews 12:6 says "For the Lord disciplines those He loves and He punishes each one He accepts as His child." (NLT)

I planned a trip to visit---flying from Missouri to Florida, then driving six hours, my heart filled with excitement. I ate hurriedly that morning, preparing to enter the prison gates. My emotions caught me by surprise as I talked to a lady waiting to visit her brother.

Richie stepped into the visitation area. We embraced a long time---my heart assured that he was safe and healthy. He knew it’d been his choices that put him there. I’d waited years to hear him own responsibility. We’d each experienced a rough road for the past seven years. Not until I let go of him, placing him fully into the hands of Almighty God, acknowledging my powerlessness, did I experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

When I returned home, a letter was waiting for me. “I enjoyed your visit very much Mom. I needed it. It was like a breath of fresh air when I felt like I was drowning.” I praise God that He will sustain my son through this time and pray that if you have an incarcerated loved one, that you too will entrust them fully into God’s loving hands.

The CLI Mission Center is Now

CLI’s current offices

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
NIV Psalm 69:8-9

His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me. NIV John 2:17

Many Christian inmates have a zeal and fervor for the Lord. It is evident through their letters and answers to our “CLI Leadership Bible Study.” In seeing this passion for Christ, our Lord impressed upon us the need to fan into flames their desire to serve Him. We envisioned a Mission Center where inmates would come for training for missionary work upon their release.

We also envisioned God providing us land and a building for this purpose. We still believe that God will provide land and buildings but He has recently impressed upon us that the Mission Center is not land and buildings. The Mission Center is now.

Jesus didn’t say to wait until you have the brick and mortar in place to make disciples. He didn’t say wait until you are “perfect” and then make disciples. And He didn’t say wait until your family and personal finances are in perfect shape either. This is actually what he commanded:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus promises to be with us and make disciples through us. We are called to step out in faith and depend on Him. Therefore we are making a turn in our thinking. Yes, we are repenting of our lack of zeal, our lack of enthusiasm to the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. We are not waiting to be the CLI Mission Center, we are the CLI Mission.

Instead of waiting for inmates to be released, we will start making disciples now. This is how we believe God is leading us at this point in time. After an inmate completes our Bible Study they will be matched up with a saint who will disciple and encourage for a certain period of time. The inmate in turn will be expected to intentionally make disciples.

We will be starting a discipleship plan for those “letter ministers’ who desire to disciple others. After all we can’t expect to disciple inmates if we aren’t’ discipling others ourselves. The discipleship plan that we develop for inmates will be done through letters and personal assignments. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us in all facets for the glory of God and the expansion of the gospel. Amen.

The LORD is our Banner

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

Moses built an altar and called it "The LORD is my Banner". He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." NIV Exodus 17:15-15

We have a new banner displayed in our CLI offices. The words, “The LORD is our Banner” were inspired by Moses words in Exodus 17:15 when he built an altar and called it "The LORD is my Banner." He was saying that the LORD is my standard, my rallying point, my flag. He is the sovereign King who rules and saves in battle and in life.

Moses was leading the Israelites at the time the Amalekites came and attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua to lead the fight against the Amalekites while he went to the top of a hill to beseech the LORD and watch the battle. As long as Moses held his hands up to the LORD, the Israelites prevailed. However, when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed.

In other words, as long as Moses openly sought God’s help the Israelites would succeed against the enemy. When Moses stopped seeking God’s empowerment and provision, the enemy would succeed. We have an enemy who roams around like a roaring lion trying to destroy us and those we are called to serve. Therefore we must keep our hands raised to the LORD. We must seek God’s help and enablement to succeed in taking the gospel to the imprisoned.

The banner is a reminder that the LORD is our standard, our rallying point, our flag. He is the sovereign King who rules and saves in battle and in life. Let us keep our hands raised to the triune God, the LORD, YHWH to assure success and glory to our King of kings.

CLI Abroad

Posted by a special guest

I've known Anders and Kathleen since CLI began in a small YMCA library. Now I am serving in Africa with my husband and CLI is still a part of our lives. Our country in Africa is a closed country; it is illegal to evangelize, especially for the nationals. My husband and I are the only foreigners within hundreds of miles; we go months without fellowship with other Christians. It has been over a year since an African person has come to saving faith of Jesus Christ.

We are so isolated from the world and our ministry often feels stale- but CLI has always been our partner and encourager. Last year, CLI sent us many, many books and one of them was "Brushko". Reading about this man's life not only lit the fire in my heart again, but also gave us some practical things to incorporate into our own life. We also have dozens of biographies- how sweet it is to read about so many men and women who did this a hundred years ago and they feel just like us! It is hard to feel alone or to feel like a failure with all these stories within reach on my bookshelf.

Now if we get a chance to visit other missionaries around us, we always try to re-give these books that we have finished. It hit me the other day when I gave a book to a friend that God has a secret little library in Africa! Who can know the good that all these books will do, encouraging and counseling the hearts of the workers in Africa?

CLI Appears in Prison Fellowship Publication

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

We praise God for partnerships with other prison ministries!

Several years ago, CLI was invited to join Prison Fellowship's "Operation Starting Line". Through that connection, PF has featured CLI in its latest publication.

Take a look!

CLI Serves 137 Prisons in July

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

In July, CLI served 137 US prisons, jails and youth detention centers. We praise the Lord for all our book donors, volunteers, financial supporters and prayer warriors to make this possible. We pray that many will be blessed!

They are:
1. Cook County Jail Chicago IL
2. Houston County Jail Dothan AL
3. Houston Processing Center Houston TX
4. Howard McLeod Correctional Center Atoka OK
5. Howard R. Young Correctional Institution Claymont DE
6. Howland Detention DYS Southeast Taunton MA
7. Hudson Correctional Facility Hudson NY
8. Hudson County Correctional Center Kearny NJ
9. Huerfano County Correctional Ctr Walsenburg CO
10. Huerfano County Jail Walsenburg CO
11. Hutchins State Jail Dallas TX
12. Hyde Correctional Institution Swan Quarter NC
13. Idaho Correctional Center Boise ID
14. Idaho Correctional Institution Orofino ID
15. Idaho Falls Community Work Center Idaho Falls ID
16. Idaho State Correctional Institution Boise ID
17. Illinois River Correctional Center Canton IL
18. Indian River Correctional Institute Vero Beach FL
19. Indian River County Jail Vero Beach FL
20. Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility Massillon OH
21. Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia MI
22. Iowa Correctional Institution for Women Mitchellville IA
23. Iowa State Penitentiary Fort Madison IA
24. Iowa State Training School Eldora IA
25. Ironwood State Prison Blythe CA
26. Jackson Correctional Institution Black River Falls WI
27. Jackson Correctional Institution Malone FL
28. Jackson County Correctional Facility Marianna FL
29. Jackson County Sheriff's Jail Medford OR
30. James Crabtree Correctional Center Helena OK
31. James River Correctional Center Jamestown ND
32. James River Correctional Center State Farm VA
33. Jefferson Correctional Institution Monticello FL
34. Jefferson County Correctional Facility Beaumont TX
35. Jefferson County Prison - Praise Time Brookville PA
36. Jefferson Parish Correctional Center Gretna LA
37. Jess Dunn Correctional Center Taft OK
38. Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center Hodgen OK
39. Joe Ney Unit Hondo TX
40. John E. Polk Correctional Facility Sanford FL
41. John Lilley Correctional Center Boley OK
42. Johnson City Detention Center Johnson City TN
43. Johnson County Detention Center Olathe KS
44. Johnson State Prison Wrightsville GA
45. Johnston Correctional Inst Smithfield NC
46. Joseph Harp Correctional Center Lexington OK
47. Joy Junction Albuquerque NM
48. Julia Tutwiler Prison (Women's) Wetumpka AL
49. Juvenile Correction Center-St. Anthony Idaho Falls ID
50. Juvenile Medium Security Facility Bordentown NJ
51. Kane County Jail Geneva IL
52. Kansas City Rescue Mission Kansas City MO
53. Kennebec County Sheriff's Office Augusta ME
54. Kenosha County Detention Center Kenosha WI
55. Kent County Correctional Facility Grand Rapids MI
56. Kenton County Jail Cincinnati OH
57. Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women Peewee Valley KY
58. Kentucky Correctional Psych Center LaGrange KY
59. Kern Valley State Prison -B Chapel Delano CA
60. Kershaw Correctional Institution Kershaw SC
61. Kettle Moraine Correctional Inst Plymouth WI
62. Kewanee Youth Center Kewanee IL
63. Kilby Correctional Facility Montgomery AL
64. Kings County Jail Facility Hanford CA
65. Kinross Correctional Facility Kincheloe MI
66. Kirkland Correctional Institution Columbia SC
67. Kitsaqp County Juvenile Facility Poulsbo WA
68. Kootenai County Jail Coeur D Alene ID
69. Labette Correctional Conservation Camp Oswego KS
70. Lake City Correctional Facility Lake City FL
71. Lake Correctional Institution Clermont FL
72. Lake County Detention Center Tavares FL
73. Lake County Jail/Hill Road Facility Lakeport CA
74. Lake Erie Correctional Institution Conneaut OH
75. Lakeside Correctional Unit Michigan City IN
76. Lakeview Shock Facility Brocton NY
77. Lancaster County Prison Lancaster PA
78. Lanesboro Correctional Institution Polkton NC
79. LaPalma Correctional Center/CCA Eloy AZ
80. Laramie County Detention Center Cheyenne WY
81. Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility Larned KS
82. LaSalle Correctional Center Olla LA
83. Lauderdale County Detention Facility Meridian MS
84. Laural County Detention Center London KY
85. LaVista Correctional Facility (Women's) Pueblo CO
86. Lawtey Correctional Institution Lawtey FL
87. Lawton Correctional Facility Lawton OK
88. Lea County Correctional Facility Hobbs NM
89. Leath Correctional Institution Greenwood SC
90. Leavenworth Detention Center Leavenworth KS
91. Lebanon County Prison Lebanon PA
92. Lee Adjustment Center Beattyville KY
93. Lee Arrendale State Prison (Women's) Alto GA
94. Lee Correctional Institution Bishopville SC
95. Lee State Prison Leesburg GA
96. Lemon Creek Correctional Center Juneau AK
97. Lenawee County Jail Adrian MI
98. Lerdo Detention Facility Bakersfield CA
99. Levy Forestry Camp Bronson FL
100. Lexington/Fayette Div of Corrections Lexington KY
101. Liberty Correctional Institution Bristol FL
102. Lieber Correctional Institution Ridgeville SC
103. Limestone County Detention Center Groesbeck TX
104. Lincoln Correctional Center Lincoln IL
105. Lincoln Hills Boys School Irma WI
106. Lindsey State Jail Jacksboro TX
107. Livesay Correctional Institution "B" Camp Spartanburg SC
108. Livingston Correctional Facility Sonyea NY
109. Long Creek Youth Development Center South Portland ME
110. Long Pre-Release Center Ludowici GA
111. Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center Golden CO
112. Lorain Correctional Institution Grafton OH
113. Lorenzo Patino Hall of Justice Sacramento CA
114. Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail Los Angeles CA
115. Lowell Correctional Inst Annex (Women's) Ocala FL
116. Lower Buckeye Jail Phoenix AZ
117. Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center Aiken SC
118. Lumberton Correctional Institution Lumberton NC
119. Lunenburg Correctional Center Victoria VA
120. Luzerne County Correctional Facility Wilkes-Barre PA
121. Lynn Youth Re-Entry Project Lynn MA
122. Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility Lyon Mountain NY
123. Mabel Bassett Correctional Center for Women McLoud OK
124. MacDougall Correctional Institution Ridgeville SC
125. Mack Alford Correctional Center Stringtown OK
126. MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility Woodburn OR
127. Macomb County Jail Ministry Mt. Clemens MI
128. Macon State Prison Oglethorpe GA
129. Macon Transitional Center Macon GA
130. Madison Correctional Inst London OH
131. Madison Correctional Institution Madison FL
132. Madison County Detention Center Anderson IN
133. Madison Work Camp Madison FL
134. Maine State Prison Warren ME
135. Man to Man Ministries at San Quentin SP Santa Rosa CA
136. Manitowoc County Jail Manitowoc WI
137. MCI Norfolk Norfolk MA