Our First Marriage Seminar in a Texas Prison

In early 1995, WVIW held our first Marriage Seminar in a Texas prison, in the Hughes Unit in Gatesville. 

We had about 25 couples and about 20 volunteers.  It was a great success.  Immediately, prisons across Texas were asking for a Marriage Seminar.  As a result, we have held over 100 seminars in over 30 prisons and hosted over 2500 couples.

These Marriage Seminars are now a major part of this prison ministry and we stay booked over two years in advance. 

If you would like to be part of this wonderful ministry to the lives of hurting couples, just go to our web-site, www.wviw.com. and sign up on the "Volunteers" page.  

Less than 3% of marriages will survive prison, but WVIW Marriage Seminars are changing that in Texas. 

Come join us.

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It is time to Repent

Often on my many out-of- town trips, I would drive down the wrong road by mistake.  After a few miles I would realize the signposts no longer matched my directions.  Or the map clearly showed I was headed away from my destination, not toward it.

I could keep driving the wrong way, stubbornly insisting I would get there somehow.  Or I could backtrack---whining the whole time---until I reached the spot where I made a wrong turn and make the right one.  At that point I would be so relieved, so happy to be going in the correct direction, the whining ended and rejoicing would begin.

When we come to our senses, when we see our mistakes---our failures, our sins, our spiritual bloopers---for what they are, it is time not only to confess but also turn around and go back to where we know in our hearts we need to be.

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:15

We will not drive this road alone.  God (our heavenly GPS) will never turn His back on you.  Patiently, lovingly, the Lord waits for each one of us to stop and face Him once more.  He will not say, “I told you so,” but rather, “I love you so.”

“He is patient with you,

Not wanting any to perish,

But everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

“Everyone.”  I guess that means, well, every one of us.  No matter what we have done.  No matter how deliberately.  All it takes: a change of heart.  And then a shift in direction.  If we are sorry yet keep on sinning, we are driving farther down the road that gets us no place we truly want to go.

To repent means to quit sinning, turn around, and walk back into God’s embrace…

“realizing that God’s kindness

Leads you toward repentance.”

Romans 2:4

Here’s the thing: this is a well-traveled road.  You are, no doubt, going to stumble along this route again someday, repenting afresh.  Rest assured, God’s patience will outlast your obstinacy.  He will still be there for you.

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Building Systems of Evangelism

It is almost midnight and I have just finished grading some assignments from my students at Christ for the Nations.

I teach a class there each Spring to 3rd-year students called "Building Systems of Evangelism". These are amazing young people. They are from all over the world, Africa, South America, India, Central America, and even the USA.

CFNI Evangelism Class

Johnny Moffitt pictured with his 2017 Spring Class from CFNI - 

I can tell you the church is in good hands.

These students will carry the Gospel where ever they go. Millions of people will choose to follow Christ through the ministry of those being trained in Bible schools like CFNI today. I am truly blessed to be part of it and see the hearts of these young Christians.

I am very proud of CFNI and proud to say "these are my students."

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Why Marriage Seminars?

This is why what we do is so important. After many years in prison, this beautiful couple came to one of the WVIW Marriage seminars.

Virgil has now been free for 2 years and the are going back in with us to share Christ, show other couples they can make a wonderful marriage through Jesus. 

Thank all of you who make this possible through your gifts and support.

-Johnny

Virgil and I served on our FIRST marriage seminar together at the Hutchins Unit...another dream come true! What a...

Posted by Shyrolon Wilson on Tuesday, April 25, 2017

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WVIW Marriage Seminar

 Below is a sweet note we received from a wife from a recent marriage seminar. This is the reason we do what we have done since 1978.

"Betty,  Just a note to say thanks to you, Johnny and the entire volunteer staff.  It was even more exciting and informational then I had expected.  I honestly thought it would be dull, boring, school text info, but it was nothing but exciting, powerful and extremely informative.  The volunteers told awesome testimonies, and were down to earth, kind and caring.  Every moment from start to finish each and every day held my attention, made me think, and opened my heart. I believe your seminar has truly helped my husband and I to see where we can and will improve our marriage. Spending time loving on him was just an added bonus. Ya'll have been a blessing that I will never forget, and will always have in my heart."

With a lot of love,

L.A.

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Thanks for a Wonderful Golf Tournament

We really appreciate all of your support and participation in this year's golf tournament. Below are the photos taken by our friend Prakash at this year's Golf Tournament.  

Grace with Confidence

 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”Hebrews4:16

A person who embraces grace with both arms, who stops fretting over their sin and begins focusing on their savior, who dries their tears so they see others who are hurting--- this is some kind of person.

God can use us wherever we are.  Brand-new believer, teenage dynamo, thirty-something parent, recommitted midlifer, silver-haired saint.  Whoever, wherever, God has plans for us.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10

The only time a grace-filled person feels completely at peace is when they are being used by God for His glory.  When we keep pouring His Word into our hearts, reading it on our own, hearing it taught, studying it with friends, that truth will begin spilling out.  Thirsty people will be drawn to us, holding out their cups.

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”  Revelation 22:17

This is what I have been teaching to my students at Christ for the Nations this year.  God wants to use us all, but for that to happen we must be certain we keep ourselves filled up and walking in grace, in order for people to be drawn to the life-giving grace that is in us.

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The folks on the sidelines feel obligated to point out our lack of qualifications—we don’t know enough, aren’t perfect enough, or haven’t been believers long enough—we can gently remind them that God has His own agenda and His own timetable.

Whatever experiences reside in our past or present, God can use them to mold a brighter future for others.  You are more than enough.  You have more than enough grace. 

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

Not less than but more than, because of God’s love.  Go and share His grace.

Johnny

Marriage Seminar at Hutchins Unit

Hutchins prison was amazing! 

Our three day Marriage Seminar had several salvations, recommitments and saved marriages.

These seminars are the primary focus of this ministry and has been for 22 years.

Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters for makeing it all possible.

Johnny  

God Will Destroy Your Shame

Very early this morning God woke me up with the words,"Secret addictions."  I immediately thought, what is that all about. 

I think many christians are hindered by one or more "secret addictions."  40 years ago, I was in bondage to a "secret addiction."  I heard a minister say, "If you have a secret, you will have shame."

I found that to be true in my own life.  Thank God we have a God who can deliver.  When my shame began to interfer with my life, ministry, and marriage, I asked for help from Him.  He touched me and delivered me from a very distructive "secret addiction."

He can and will do the same for you.  Face your own "secret addiction".  Ask God to deliver you.  He will and He will destroy the shame.

It just isn't fair

 I know, at least on some level, that God isn’t fair.  He’s just, yes.  But fair?  Thankfully, no, God is not fair.  After all, if He was fair, we would all be doomed.  God is perfect.  He doesn’t just appear to be perfect, He is perfect.  He cannot tolerate imperfection, and believe me, I have plenty of imperfection.

If God were fair, He would require that I pay for my imperfections (i.e., my sins). Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death.  I am glad that, instead of being fair, God is gracious and sent His Son to pay the penalty for my sin (Romans 5:8).

The question is not, “Is God fair?”  But, Is God good?”  We cannot base our belief of God’s goodness on our circumstances.  If we do, we will only view our situation as unfair.  God is good…not because our lives are going well; He is good because He is good.  When we settle in our hearts and minds that God is good, we can trust that He is working in our circumstances for our good.

Trust in the truth of God’s Word…He is good.  He does good.  And He will do it for you.

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Required TDCJ Prison Volunteer Training at Gateway Church

Gateway Church is hosting a training this Saturday, February 25th, if you need to train or retrain live.

We are hosting a Texas Dept of Criminal Justice training at the Gateway Grand Prairie Campus on Saturday, Feb 25 from 9am-1pm.

Invite anyone who is interested in serving in Texas adult prisons.

If you are attending - email confirmation to: outreachgrp@gatewaypeople.com

Gateway Grand Prairie Campus

 

2404 N Carrier Pkwy

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness

15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Monday April 17th, 2017 11:00am 

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Brookhaven Country Club

3333 Golfing Green Dr, Farmers Branch, TX

Registration 11am

Lunch 11:30-12:30pm

Tee Time 1:00pm

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Click Below to Download the Registration Form

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Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness Golf Tournament Registration Form

 

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REGISTER NOW! 

A Letter From Johnny Moffitt Treasurer of COPE

Originally Published in the COPE Newsletter

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Dear Friends, 

2017 looks to be the greatest year for COPE since the early 2000’s. Our new director, Chandra Adams, is proving to be one of the hardest workers for COPE in our history.  She is constantly on the road visiting members, prospective members, and related conferences to encourage, share the benefits, and recruit new members.  We are indeed blessed to have her on staff.
 

As treasurer of COPE, I want to tell you that Chandra watches over the COPE funds with diligence and skill.  We are growing and have many opportunities to be a blessing to prison ministers around the world. Several members of the board of COPE are working around the world, at their own expense, to help prison ministers wherever they may be.  

Brent Bishop from Canada, not only is doing a great job there, he is also in Kenya, East Africa. William Bumphus, of Indianapolis, has been working in Nigeria for many years, as well as across the United States. Our Board President, Bunny Greenwood and her husband, Bobby Greenwood, a board member; myself and my wife and board member, Betty, are not only ministering in America, but Honduras, Mexico, and Cuba. We are building COPE in other nations as well as at home. COPE members are training prison ministers around the world.  Come be part of it!!!

In order to maintain the integrity of the COPE organization and be the blessing to hundreds of ministries God has put us together to serve, we need financial support from you.  Membership dues alone will not cover the expenses.  This fellowship has faithfully served the prison volunteers and ministries for 30 years, all at zero cost to the ones we serve. You will not grow, if you do not give.

I am challenging you as a friend of COPE: if you are not a member—join today.

Whether you are a member or not, give to enable this fellowship to continue to do its work.  Why not give a monthly gift to help us provide for our Director and an office where the prison ministers and officials of the world can contact COPE and get the help they need.  We need each other!!!

Everyone can give something.  Every ministry can do something.  Any amount each month from all our members and friends will enable this fellowship to continue to minister and bless those ministries and prison volunteers who need our help.  You can do something.  Now is the time to do it.  Go to the COPE web site, www.copeconnections.org, right now and make your commitment known. Let’s all pull together and make COPE great.

In His Service,

Johnny 

WVIW Marriage Seminar - Hutchins Unit

Would you like an invitation to help at our next prison marriage seminar? 

 Hutchins Unit March 23-26, Hutchins, TX  

Three times a year we host a Marriage Seminar in a Texas prison.

This is an inexpensive short-term mission trip.

We would love for you to join us.

It will change your life and the life of the couples that your serve.

If you want to join us, please request an invitation.

(In-prison Seminar #1 of 3 this year)

Our time in Cuba was amazing

We are thinking about our great trip to Cuba.

God met the team in a tremendous way.  We were able to teach in three conferences and almost ten churches.  We ministered to several hundred people and I am especially thrilled to have ministered to over 500 prison ministry volunteers.

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Here is part of an email I received from one of our hosts.

"Greetings from the green alligator.

I hope you had made it back safely.

I want to thank you once again for coming down and being obedient to the voice of the holy spirit. We had a wonderful time together!!!  I know this is just the beginning of the many things God is going to do through your ministry down here."

The entire team is excited about going back.  Watch this blog for more reports on the trip. 

Johnny and Betty Moffitt will be in Cuba

This week Betty and I will lead a team to Cuba. This will be my 3rd trip to Cuba. The focus will be on training and encouraging Pastors, Church Leaders, and Volunteers who all serve their fellow Cuban citizens year round. 

Please keep this group in your prayers as they travel November 11-22. 

Our team hope's to update from Cuba if cell service permits, and share with you the details of our travels. 

Thank you for your partnership and prayers. We would not have the ministry we do without you! 

Johnny Moffitt

WVIW Marriage Seminar - Coffield Unit

We are so excited to be headed to the Coffield Unit this Weekend, for our next Marriage Seminar in a Prison! 

We can hardly wait to see all of you precious Wives, and Volunteers. We have many people praying for a wonderful weekend!

If you are attending this weekend's Marriage Seminar, please post about it or tag us on your social media pages.

Use #WVIWMarriageSeminar so we can see all of the responses and comments you post! 

See You Soon! 

Betty & Johnny Moffitt

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Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness is determined to help save marriages, rebuild lives, and keep families together through an effort based on hosting several Marriage Seminars throughout the year. We invite you to become a partner in this effort.

An Indescribable Gift

Here is a verse we often use as a hickory switch, thrashing ourselves whenever we stumble or fall short of God’s best for us.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 3:23

And that’s true, of course.  We have sinned.  We’ve already embraced that reality.  We know we fall short of perfection.  Way short.

But notice something interesting about that familiar verse: it ends in a comma.  Meaning sin is not the whole story.  Check out the rest of the sentence:

“And are justified freely by his grace

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:24

We’re not to stop at sin, then; we’re to move on to grace.  Freely.  No payment on our part is required, because the cost has been paid in full, and we’ve been redeemed.

Grace is a gift from God.  We’ve done nothing to deserve this gift.  We simply hold up our hands and say, “Thank you.” That’s grace in a nutshell.  A gift.  With a tag that reads, “For you.”

Here’s another verse we chop in half and use as a whip:

“For the wages of sin is death.”

Romans 6:23

Our shoulders sag as we nod in agreement.  That’s me.  I’ve sinned.  Now I have to pay for it.  Do you really?  Read the rest of the verse:

“but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

How often we’ve fixated on the first part of that truth and ignored the second.  We hear “sin” and“death” and completely miss “gift” of God” and “eternal life.”  No wonder we find it so hard to forgive ourselves.  We’re thinking punishment.  God is thinking Christmas.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15

WVIW Annual Celebration Banquet

Thank you so much for the support you have shown to WVIW over the last 38 years.

It has been our honor to serve in prisons and churches around the world. Working alongside our volunteers, board members, and partners we have seen many lives changed and we continue to see the fruit of our collective labor flourish year after year. 

Our banquet is a special time because we get to celebrate the great work we've done together. 

Thank You. We Love You! 

Johnny and Betty Moffitt

Update: Johnny Moffitt

Photo via Doug Pitman on Facebook

Tomorrow I am off to Shell Lake Wisconsin and Hayward, Wisconsin for two great mission conferences. I always enjoy being there.
Last night WVIW hosted many of our friends and partners at our 38th Annual Celebration Banquet. It was great!! Thanks to all of you who attended and I hope you will put next year's on your calendar.

Betty and I love you.

-Johnny Mofitt