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Mid-Summer 2007
Aaron Mendez (another life changed)
Note: Thanks to your support and prayers, there are currently 11 former inmates transforming their lives in N.D. Teen Challenge.
On December 29, 2006, Chaplain Mike drove Aaron from the Cass County Jail to Mandan to start the program.
Aaron sent Mike the following story...
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I first started using drugs when I was 14 years old. My primary concern in life was to stay as high as much as possible. Before receiving Jesus Christ into my life as my savior, everything revolved around getting, using and finding more drugs.
God meant nothing to me, therefore I never gave him any thought. I would do whatever it took in order to obtain more drugs, including stealing from my own father. I came to the point where I would walk 10 plus miles just to get a little bitty crack rock that got me high. This would help me to escape reality for a mere 20 minutes at best.
I have spent over two years of my life in multiple treatment programs. My life was miserable, chaotic, and hopeless. I didn’t know how to be a father to my beautiful little girl.
I was arrested on January 27, 2006 for about the 30th time. After about two months in jail I asked Jesus into my life. I had done this many times before but this time was different for me. I was so desperate. Since my new commitment God has been bringing good out of the bad. Romans 8:28 is one of the promises of God that is being fulfilled in my life.
I was facing a lengthy sentence but even this has been turned into good. I have been given 5 years of probation, 1 year in jail and ordered by the court to complete the Teen Challenge program.
In my heart I believe God has called me into ministry to be a soldier for the Kingdom.
Please pray for Aaron, who is in his 7th month at Teen Challenge
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Memorial to Dad (by Susan Pauling Larson)
Memorial gifts were given to this ministry in honor of Lester “Buzz” Pauling. Buzzy recently went to be with the Lord.
Susan and Steven Larson are long time friends of Pastor Curt and the Chaplain’s ministry. Susan was asked to write the following memorial about her Dad….
On Tuesday, July 3rd, the kids & I had just walked in the door from a morning of shopping for our 4th of July barbecue and the phone rang. It was my sister, “Dad died.”
My Dad, Lester “Buzzy” Pauling was an incredible man. He was a farmer, a pilot, a carpenter, and served in the National Guard for 37 years. Early in his Guard career there was an evangelist named Art Mueller who was holding evangelistic meetings at the armory where Dad worked. He would hold a Bible study in the morning and asked Dad if he could use a spare desk in his office to prepare for the evening service. Mr. Mueller would study, take a short break and ask Dad about his life and then go back to his studying. At this same time there was this candy salesman named Joe Frankhauser who had a route that went through Edgeley and he was a friend of Mr. Mueller. Joe would stop, chat with Dad and urge him to attend the meetings. At this time my Dad was really rough around the edges. My mom and many other people were praying for my dad and he did accept Christ in May of 1968 at one of Mr. Mueller’s meetings. His decision for Christ changed the course of our family life forever and I am so grateful.
I will always appreciate the lessons my dad taught me. Through his life he taught me to love God and trust Him no matter what was going on. He also had confidence in my ability to do things even when I wasn’t so sure of myself and when a girl has her dad behind her she can do anything!
My mom & dad had a great marriage. They completely loved each other and always spoke highly of each other and no matter what our family went through we knew that mom & dad were a team.
He was also a great Grandpa. Somehow the grandkids got away with a lot more than us kids did. In the middle of June this year one of my sisters, her kids, my kids and I spent a few days in Edgeley with my folks. Dad taught the grandkids how to safely operate a riding lawn mower, how to get a rocket out of a tree (you use a 70 John Deere tractor with a loader on the front) and that it is possible to suck Jell-O up through a straw making lots of noise and then blow it out at someone. (Thank you so much Dad!)
My dad taught me to work hard and no matter what life throws at you to hang on to God - tight. The last morning of his life he was helping the crew shingling his roof on the house. He collapsed while picking up shingle staples that had fallen off the roof.
His death leaves a big hole in our lives but the lessons he taught us and the example he lived will stay with us forever.
Susan Pauling Larson
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Notes from Pastor Curt: “April 9th was a big step”
Mike Sonju began working for this ministry full time April 9th. This is the 4th month of having a full time employee. The support for all the chaplains comes from friends like you that believe in what we are doing.
The Jail Administration has made Chaplain Mike part of the team. Everyday Mike is working along side the correctional officers and administration that do a very difficult job. Mike became a certified chaplain by attending school in Grand Rapids, Michigan in July.
A new pod will open soon and the daily population will grow close to 300. Sheriff Laney is very aggressive about lending his support as the mission field grows larger. This ministry is a seed planting ministry. The Chaplains often tell stories of inmates that have never heard the gospel, never opened a Bible or attended a church. Thanks to your support, eleven former inmates are in ND Teen Challenge.
We have a captive audience. Thank you for making this possible,
Pastor Curt
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Board Notes:
Over the course of the last year and a half, the board has had the privilege to work diligently with and for all of our partners and Pastor Curt..
Many lives have been touched, changed and continue to be positively impacted through God’s grace, your support and prayers, countless hours of Chaplain work and Pastor Curt’s leadership.
This newsletter, we take a pause and celebrate new life in another way!
On July 17th, "Abbigail Joy" became Pastor Curt and Kathy’s 4th Grandchild.
Congratulations Pastor and family!
Blessings from the Board of Directors!
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Summer 2007
Testimony: Chaplain Mike Sonju
I was born the 7th of eight children. When my mother was pregnant with my youngest sister, my father passed away. She remarried, and we moved from our North Dakota farm to a farm in Ottertail County, Minnesota. My stepfather was a selfish man and a poor father. I would not want anyone to have a father like him. My mother was the one who loved and nurtured the children.
Our family attended a small Baptist country church. It was at this church that I heard, and rejected, the Gospel. I didn’t want God controlling my life and “messing it up.” I became a rebellious teenager who lived to party and get drunk. I soon found out that Satan opens many doors when one chooses a destructive path.
As I moved farther away from God, my mother drew closer to God. Her relationship with Jesus Christ was the most important thing in her life. The next most important thing was her children. At 17, when my 21 year old brother committed suicide, my life came crashing down. I was devastated. However, I saw that God was real as He brought my mother comfort and peace. Even though I could see God’s grace bestowed on my mother, I still rejected Him.
I continued life as an alcoholic and finally hit bottom. At this point in time, I came to Jesus Christ and surrendered my life to Him. As I gave my life to Jesus, I realized that when you delight yourself in Him, God truly gives you the desires of your heart. After my conversion, God directed me to First Assembly of God in Fargo. I moved to Fargo and became active in church ministry. After God led me to study and obtain a ministers license, I became involved in ministry at the Cass County Jail.
I have worked in the jail ministry for seven years and have had the opportunity to share the Gospel to hundreds, if not thousands, of inmates. I never get tired of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, because I know that the same Jesus who saved a wretch like me can save and change anyone. As chaplains, we go to the jail to lead church, conduct Bible studies and individually minister to inmates. Even though inmate circumstances are remarkably different, we always have the same answer for everyone. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
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Notes from Pastor Curt: Chaplains are not counselors
During the past 30 years I have heard the stories of countless inmates; stories of failure, abuse, addictions, and destruction. If I didn’t know my own inability and weakness to solve problems I might think I was a counselor and could fix the inmates problems.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” In Romans 1:16 Paul wrote from his own personal experience, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”
Chaplains ministering in Cass County Jail are not counselors. Our responsibility is to point the inmates to the power of Jesus, the One and Only. Jesus alone can heal, save and restore the broken. Like Paul, we have experienced the power of the gospel.
Pastor Curt
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Thank You’s
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Kerry and Deelia Baldwin for their donation to the Peace Officers / Jail Chaplains Association in memory of Gerald Wadeson
THANKS! to the Fargo Forum for their recent front page article about the Peace Officers / Jail Chaplains Association entitled, “Caring for the incarcerated”, which was published in the Monday, May 14 issue of the Forum!
THANK YOU to Sheriff Paul Laney for his support of the Peace Officers / Jail Chaplains Association and participation in our recent Dessert Social!
What is there about this organization that I wouldn't support?"
Sheriff Paul Laney
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Board Notes: Leonard Sliowski
It was about a year and a half ago that Pastor Curt called and asked if I would be willing to serve on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization that would minister to Cass County Jail inmates and law enforcement officers. My initial thoughts revolved around being too busy and that startup organizations are questionable and time consuming. These thoughts quickly turned to thankfulness for being able to use my gifted areas in ministry.
I have been an accounting professional/business consultant for 30 years. The Lord has gifted me with certain organizational and business talents that have developed over this time period. I believe having a venue to use developed gifts in a meaningful manner is a privilege. It is extremely frustrating to have something to give but nowhere and no one to give it to.
When I visited the Cass County Jail with Pastor Curt it was a strange experience. Besides the uncomfortableness associated with this odd environment and the feeling of sorrow for the inmates, I just kept thinking but for the grace of God this could be me. Now, one and a half years later, God’s plan and provision for the jail ministry are evident. Also, the fact that I was to be a part of his plan and provision is also evident. I thank the Lord for this opportunity and encourage others to pray for and be attentive to the Lord’s calling in gifted areas.
Blessings!
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Winter 2007
Chaplain Jack Deschene (A Testimony)
August 2, 2007 will be our 10th year anniversary to the Fargo Moorhead area. We moved here not out of desire but of necessity.
We were raising our two granddaughters and felt is was important they have closer contact with their extended family. Before moving to Hawley I had been retired for one year having worked eighteen years in the court system and five years in corrections.
As a Christian I looked at my profession as a calling. Many times I had opportunity to witness to those I worked with. Both coworkers and clients. God had prepared me in many ways for what I was doing. From both life’s experiences and education.
I admit that in the back of my mind I was aware of the mixing of church and state conflict but God never allowed me to get in trouble over this.
When Pastor Curt approached me about becoming one of the chaplains I was very excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a witness for our Lord in such a needy place. I am grateful for the kindness of both the staff and inmates.
In the jail there are so many needs; spiritual, emotional, physical, material, and broken relationships, and only God can meet these needs. I have been able to pray with the inmates, lead them to Christ laugh with them, cry with them, have Bible studies sharing Scripture, and try to let them know God loves them and He knows their needs.
In closing God is a God of mercy. Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.’
Chaplain Jack
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‘The rest of the story’ (Chaplain jack DesChene)
Chaplain DesChene is legally blind and can not drive. Jack’s family brings him to the jail several times a week to minister to the inmates.
Chaplain DesChene leads a weekly Bible study and primarily ministers to inmates that are in lock down. Chaplain DesChene is a favorite of the inmates and the administration.
Notes from Pastor Curt:
I do really work four days a week at Maranatha Free Lutheran Church in Glyndon and Ulen. This picture proves my point!
Well, at least I sit at my desk and smile most of the time.
The reason I am smiling is because the Lord has been so good to give the POJCA so many good supporters. We are within $23,000 of making the goal of $100,000. Soon a full-time chaplain will be doing many of things I have done for almost 30 years.
I also love being on a Lutheran staff with Pastor Dale Finstrom. Pastor Dale Wolff at Atonement Lutheran said, "it was about time you got saved!"
Thank you so much,
Pastor Curt
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Board Notes:
If one's thinking does not change can we expect one's actions to change?
It's been close to a year since Pastor Curt asked a number of us to help him form the Peace Officer Jail Chaplains Association (POJCA). The year has gone by very quickly. The Lord has blessed us with willing and talented Chaplains, terrific support from the Cass County Sherriff's office and awesome financial and spiritual support from people like you who care about making a difference in the lives of other people you may not know. People who maybe made some poor choices and really do want a way out.
What would happen if organizations like the POJCA were not working in the jails? Who would these people turn to? Who starts to change their thinking and thus help to change their actions?
God has given many of us talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and we have attempted to use them in a manner that honors Him and fulfills the mission of the POJCA. Your contributions and support of this ministry help us to help people change their thinking and then their lives. Talents leveraged and used to help others recognize their talents. People helping and healing people. It's what God wants us all to do.
Thanks you so much for your support. You make a difference.
God's blessings to you all.
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