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"THE ENFORCER
The story of "Happy Jack" Burbridge"
Order your copy today by clicking on The Enforcer image.
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Quoted from former Navy Seal, Richard Marcinko; "There is no emotion so strong, no satisfaction so deep or fulfilling as the incredible high you experience when you lead a great body of warriors into battle." This is how we feel when we go into Satan's grounds, the prisons, with a bunch of Christian bikers.
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First Anniversary Sermon for Grace Church (Matthew 9:14-17)
I want to speak about what is unique with this church. When someone starts a church it should be different from the others around it. Why start another when so many churches are near empty. To get to this I want us to look at what is wrong with the typical church of our day.
The modern American church is in serious decline. Every statistic proves this. Less than 20% of Americans attend church these days. This is an abysmal failure on our part. With the power of God in the gospel and the Spirit of God, we are not even close to keeping up with the population growth. While the combined membership of all Protestant denominations in the USA has declined in recent years by almost 5 million members, the US population increased by 24 million. We are failing miserably. Every year more than 4,000 churches close their doors and 2.7 million church members disappear from the church radar screen. We lose that many every year. Some major denominations are in as much as a 40% decline from one decade to another. Half of all churches in the US did not add any new members to their ranks in the last two years. Statistics from Barna Research reported recently that perhaps 50% of people who go to a church are not even Christians. Most well-known Christian pastors and leaders say they believe as many as 75% of church members are lost. The latest statistic I have read says that as many as 92% of young people who grow up in church drop out permanently after they graduate from high school. We’re in a major mess. The last thing we need is another church like the ones we’ve got. Grace Church will be different. Expect it and don’t be shocked when you see it.
Why is the church in such a bad shape? Two reasons:
1. The way they try to get people into the church. Modern evangelism has reduced salvation to raising a hand, walking an aisle, repeating a prayer. None of these things are in the Bible. The people who are added to church roles these days come in by unbiblical methods. They are actually told to do things to be saved that the Bible never says. This has filled our church roles with unsaved people. If they stay in the church, they are carnal to the core. Grace Church is different. The Bible is clear. People are saved by repenting of their sins and believing the gospel. “But, people will think they are saved by simply having head knowledge of spiritual facts.” The Bible, and Jesus in particular, make it clear that assurance of salvation is only given to those who continue to follow Jesus and are transformed into the character of Christ. Assurance in the Bible is never given to a person who walks an aisle or repeats a prayer. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed.” Grace Church will not preach a false gospel and neither will we hand out assurance on the basis of someone saying they believe. “You will know them by their fruits,” Jesus said.
2. They do not do the one thing Jesus told us to do. Churches are busy doing many things but none that I know of is doing this one thing. I once was given a half hour to address a pastor’s conference. I began by asking this question: what is the one thing that a pastor must do? I told them that they were not going to give me the right answer and that when I tell them the right answer they will totally agree with me and they will admit that they do not do it. I wrote 8 of their answers on the huge dry erase board; then I told them none of the things they listed were right. I drew a bracket with an arrow to these words: “Make Disciples.” One pastor said, “That is exactly right! What was I thinking?” I asked any pastor to raise his hand if he was doing this now or had ever done this one thing. Nobody raised a hand. They even humbled themselves and asked how do you do that. Imagine pastors who don’t even know how to do the one thing that Jesus said we were to be doing until He returned. I told them I know of only one pastor who does this, besides me. I left the platform after an hour and a half; then some of us continued the discussion over lunch. Churches are not making disciples. No wonder we are in the mess we are in!
Tim Clark was given a warning concerning our church by a man in this town. He said our church was going to grow and grow and get bigger and bigger. To him, that was a bad thing. And if all we do is get a bigger attendance on Sundays, he’s right. That is not necessarily a good thing. But, God’s goal is for our church to get bigger and smaller at the same time! Jesus had multitudes that came to hear Him preach, but he only kept with Him 12 guys. These He poured His life into. These He discipled. This was His Master Plan of Evangelism to win the world. Discipleship is accomplished in small groups. Envision a church where large numbers come to worship together, but where small groups meet in homes every week to get connected, ministered to and equipped for ministry. Sunday School is wonderful but it’s not the same. Nobody gets discipled in SS. It takes small groups of people who make themselves accountable to each other for learning how to be a disciple of Christ and learning how to make more disciples.
ABOUT US AND OUR MINISTRY
Jack and Carolyn Burbridge founded FROM CRIME TO CHRIST MINISTRIES IN 1972. Jack's life story, THE ENFORCER, was released in 1980 and has been distributed in jails and prisons around the world. Jack worked building cars upon his release from
prison in 1971 to raise his family and go back into the prisons to tell inmates the love that JESUS has for them. In 1980, he and Carolyn went out full time and the LORD has provided since then for them to continue the ministry HE has called them to.
Jack has always had a love for motorcycles. In 1960 he and Carolyn had a motorcycle wedding. In 1998 GOD showed Jack how he could use motorcycles as a witnessing tool behind prison walls. By training several bikers in the prison ministry the doors of the prisons were open for him to have Bike Rodeos in the prisons. Now there are several groups of bikers going into the prisons across the state of Arkansas, Iowa and Indiana. This gets inmates out to the yard that would never come to the chapel. Hundreds of thousands have come to JESUS because these men and women are willing to go behind bars and share the love of JESUS.
Jack and Carolyn are also available for Biker Sunday at churches. They bring a group of motorcyclists to a service that shows everyone that you can be a Christian and a biker too. It shows young people you can have fun being a Christian and it shows older people that you shouldn't judge the person by the outside. Jack and Carolyn are also available to minister at your church without the bikers. Jack also holds meetings in schools with other bikers. They are not allowed to preach in the schools, but instead they tell the youth about
"choices" they make that can affect their whole lives.
Most of the ministries support comes from individuals who believe in what Jack & Carolyn are doing.
News letter April 2012
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord! We thank you so much for the much needed contribution in March. GOD blessed us with two church services during the month of March. They helped us financially to make the trip home. We had troublegetting the motor home started before we left the youth camp on the 22nd of March. We got a later start then we wanted to. We stopped to fuel up in Carthage, TX and it wouldn’t start again. Jack tried everything for about a half hour then he said, "All right LORD we need your help.” Within a few minutes along came a 16 year old cowboy and his mother. She said. “Festus can do anything"? About that time he was crawling under the front of the motor home and coming out with the battery. He took Jack to Walmart where he got a battery and after we got it in and ate we were on our way. Thank GOD for angels in the form of cowboys! We didn’t stop until 11:30 that night. The state fairgrounds we had planned on staying at was filled up with rodeo people. The joys of traveling. Smile!
Jack was able to finish up
painting the cafeteria building but didn’t get the cross painted on
the back of the church bus as he has planned on doing. So much
rain, but Texas needed the rain. Now we are home catching up on a
lot of stuff before we head out again.
We covet your prayers for health, strength. Our God is the Great
Supplier of all our needs. We love and appreciate you so much!!.
In His Love and Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter March 2012
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord! We thank you so much for the much needed contribution in February. It has been slow financially since we have been working here at the youth camp. We plan on heading for home after we have a church service here on the 18th.
After Jack gets done painting the
dining hall he plans on painting the back of the church bus with a
cross on it!
We had a prison scheduled for the end of February but, get this, the
new warden there didn’t want any ex-convicts in there! We feel
sorry for the inmates that were looking forward to our visit there.
We covet your prayers for health, strength as we work here at the
youth camp. Our God is the Great Supplier of all our needs.
We love and appreciate you so much! We wish you a Happy & a
Healthy New Year.
In His Love and Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter January 2012
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord! We thank you
so much for the much needed contribution in January. Our friends
from Illinois, Dave & Darlene Trinkle, are here at Camp Ta-Ku-La
working with us. We have taken on the project of painting the
cafeteria and dining hall floors. The coverage is 73' x 45'. And
Carolyn has been going to the eye doctor every week. I am finally
off the steroid eye drops. Thank you Jesus. Have been on for seven
months.
We had a church service in Doucette, TX in January. And will be
having a service in Chester, TX and will be ministering at the
prison in Woodville, TX. As soon as the weather permits
towards the end of March we will head back to Arkansas!
We covet your prayers for health, strength as we work here at the
youth camp. Our God is the Great Supplier of all our needs.
We love and appreciate you so much! We wish you a Happy & a
Healthy New Year.
In His Love and Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter December 2011
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord! We thank you so much for the much needed contribution in
December. Sorry this is so late! My printer has been acting up. We are here in
Chester, TX, where we have a lot of work waiting for the weather to cooperate.
They have been getting a lot of much needed rain.
I am working on the end of the year receipts. If you don’t get one and want it let
me know and I will get it to you. Our accountant says that we are only required
to send one to those that have contributed $600.00 a year. I have been sending
them out to everyone and this will save a lot of work plus money for postage.
Looking for every way we can save a penny!
We will be setting up some meetings at local churches and prison while we are
here.
We covet your prayers for health, strength as we work here at the youth camp.
Our God is the Great Supplier of all our needs. We love and appreciate you so
much! We wish you a Happy & a Healthy New Year.
In His Love and Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter October 2011
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord!!! We thank you so much for the much needed contributions in October!
Like I said last month the shingles are still bothering me and I am still under the eye
doctors care. When he tries to stop the eye drops the inflammation flares back up.
Believing for a complete healing before we leave for meetings in LA and TX the first of December,
But God is good and faithful!!
We went to the motorcycle rally in Conway, AR where Jack was able to speak at the Sunday
service. Then we went to the first annual motorcycle rally in Greens Ferry, AR and Jack was
able to hold a service there on Sunday. Had a Biker Sunday in Heber Springs also.
Then the last Saturday of Oct. Jack left here at 7 AM in 31 degrees to travel
over an hour to go Renewal Ranch to speak to men who are overcoming addictions.
Then Sunday he left in 28 degree temps at 6 AM to go to a youth center an hour an half away.
The rest of the month we were busy getting things together for the 8th Annual Toy Run to be held the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Jack is still going to the local county jail, seeing growth in the men's lives there!! In fact he is there now as I am preparing this note to you.
We covet your prayers for health, strength and traveling mercies. Our God is the Great Supplier of all our needs. We love and appreciate you so much!!
We did get the laminated floor laid in the bedroom in the house.
Hope to start in the living room next.
Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving! In His Love and Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter August 2011
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise The Lord! !! Thank you so much for your contribution in July!! It was quite a month for us. We headed for Indiana and on the way I broke out with shingles on my forehead going into my eye. I am being treated by a ophthalmologist. Had to be treated in Indiana Until we got home on August 7th.
First day in Elkhart, IN the trike broke down by the side of the road. The modulator went out. On the way home we stopped at a campground and was invaded with millions of baby mosquitoes. The whole trip of 1,500 miles was almost all without an air conditioner as the generator kept shutting off. And as you know it was near 100 degrees. The only time we had air was when we were plugged into electric at a campground. Well, we found out that the modulator
was out in the generator also. We had to order it and we will be making the second trip an hour away with no air condition tomorrow. The modulator alone is over $300 not counting labor. So with all the repairs and continues visits to the eye doctor it has been a very costly summer.
I have to continue the doctor visits for quite some time yet as they are keeping a close watch on the cornea, as it could lead to blindness, but I have a lot of prayers going up for me!! So this was the second year that I could not attend the meetings in IN. Last year I broke my ankle the second day there. But the meetings were awesome!! Started in Thayer, MO was a biker Sunday. In Peru, IN Jack went to a prison, and in Northern Indiana Jack had a bike/car show, a biker church, 3 church services, juvenile prison, plus taking such good care of me, doctoring me all the time putting up to 14 drops a day in my eye at different times.
Two of the prisons were canceled as there were 3 killings in the prisons there. I do believe the devil is mad at us!! But we would rather have him mad at us then to be
happy with us!! Tonight Jack is at the local county jail giving the devil another black eye!! We covet your prayers for health, strength and traveling mercies.
And of course for our finances that have been hit so heavy! Our God is the Great Supplier of all our needs.
OUR GOD IS ABLE TO SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS
RICHES IN GLORY!!!!
In His Love & Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
News letter June 2011
JACK & CAROLYN BURBRIDGE PRISON MINISTRIES
From Crime to Christ, Inc.
Praise the Lord! Well, it has been six months since our last newsletter in December. We left for Texas on the 1& of December. Stopped off in Logansport, LA where we had services at a Cowboy Church. Then continued on to Camp Ta-Ku-La in Chester where we spent the next three months working at the camp and having meeting around the area.
We spoke at a Lion's Club Meeting in Woodville, TX. Then had two days of meeting at Chester High School. The young people were very receptive and
had a lot of questions. Want to mention that our good friends, Dave & Darlene Trinkle, from Illinois spent the winter with us at the camp and went to meetings with us. We went into the prison in Woodville again this year. Was good to see our friends again there. We had three church services in February. And two youth services. In February Chuck & Kookie Nipper, from Clinton, AR, came and spent a few days helping at the camp. Later in the month Herb & Mary Dal Santo, from Logansport, LA, came and helped scrape on a two story building, helping prepare it for Jack to paint. In March Nick the Greek and his friend, Terry stopped on their way through to Louisiana. We always enjoy a visit with Nick. We spent most of March preparing and painting the house. Had a church service in Logansport, LA with our good friends, Herb & Mary Dal Santo.
We got home on our daughter, Jackie's, 50th birthday. Was home six days when our home flooded from a broken water heater. We were still in the motor home so didn't discover it right away. We are spending what available time we have tearing up carpets and laying laminated wood tiling.
Jack is going into the local jail every week while we are home.
We are going to cut down our mailing list drastically. You will be able to read it on our web site,
www. fromcrimetochrist.com Of course, if we receive a donation from you in any given month you will receive a thank you letter with up-dates of our activities. So, if you check the web site in December and June you can read the newsletter. It takes money and a lot of time to put together a newsletter, so I hope you will understand.
We are so thankful for each and everyone of you, for your love, prayers and financial help. It is not an easy ministry He called us to but He gives us the strength to keep going on. We so appreciate every financial contribution whether it is large or small as it has been a very hard year financially. OUR GOD IS ABLE TO SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY!!!!
In His Love & Service;
Happy Jack & Mama Carolyn
It was late one night and Bill was unable to sleep. The Lord had asked a question of him, and he was struggling for the answer. "Bill, where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures?" "Lord, usually gold, silver, diamonds, precious jewels are kept locked up, somewhere out of sight and usually guards and security are there to keep them under lock and key." God spoke: "Like man, My most valuable treasures are kicked up." Bill continued: Then I saw Jesus standing in front of seemingly thousands of prisons and jails and the Lord said, "These have almost been destroyed by the enemy, but these ones have the greatest potential to be used and to bring forth glory to My name. Tell My people I am going to the prisons in this hour to activate the gifts and callings that lie dormant in these lives that were given to them before the foundation of the earth. Out from these walls will come an army of spiritual giants who will have the power to literally kick down the gates of hell and overcome Satanic powers that are holding many of My own people bound in My own house. Tell My people that great treasure is behind these walls in these forgotten vessels and they must be restored." "My people must come forth and touch these ones, for a mighty anointing will be unleashed upon these for future victory in My kingdom and they must be restored." I then saw the Lord step up to the prison doors with keys. One key fit every lock. Then the gates began to open. I then heard and saw great explosions, which sounded like dynamite, going off behind the walls. It sounded like all-out spiritual warfare. Jesus turned and said: "Tell My people to come in now and pick up the spoil and rescue these." Jesus began walking in and touching inmates who were thronging Him. Many being touched instantly began to have a golden glow come over them. God spoke to me, "There's the gold!" Others had a silver glow around them. God said: "There's the silver!" And like slow motion, they began to grow into what appeared to be giant knights-in-armor, like warriors. They had on the entire armor of God and every piece was solid and pure gold, even gold shields. When I saw the shields, I heard God say to these warriors: "Now you go and take what Satan has taught you, and use it against him. Go and pull down the strongholds coming against My church." These spiritual giants then started stepping over the prison walls (with no one to resist them), and they went immediately to the very front line of battle with the enemy. I saw them walk right past the church and big-name ministers known for their power with God. They surpassed even giant warriors like David going after Goliath. They crossed the enemy lines and started delivering many of God's people from the clutches of Satan while demons trembled and flew out of sight at their presence. No one, not even the church, seemed to know who these spiritual giants were or where they came from for all you could see was the armor, the golden armor of God, from head to foot, and the shields of gold were there. The shields were restored to God's house and there was great victory and rejoicing. I saw silver, precious treasures and vessels being brought in. Beneath the gold and silver were the people that nobody knew - rejects of society, street people, outcasts, the poor, the despised - these were the treasures that were missing from His house. In closing, the Lord said: "If My people want to know where they are needed, tell them they are needed in the streets, the hospitals, the missions, and the prisons; and when they come there, they'll find Me and the next move of My Spirit. Tell them they'll be judged by My Word in Matthew 24:42: I was hungry, and you gave me no meat. I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you took Me not in; naked and you clothed Me not; sick and in prison and you visited Me not." |