VL - Issue 15 - February 2015

MINISTRY UPDATE
Update from Linda Cubbedge,
Prison Correspondence Director
The Story Behind Victorious Living…
Piercing the Hearts of Captives
For 18 years, I was a world champion waterskier
and world record holder, but who could have
imagined the plan God was orchestrating for my life?
God had given me an international platform, and I
knew I had a responsibility to use my talents for His
glory and to share His love.
It only seemed natural to launch out into the deep
with God and start a water-sports ministry called In
His Wakes. The mission of IHW is to introduce people
to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through
water sports. Since 2003, IHW has touched the lives
of thousands of at-risk youth. You can learn more
about this exciting nonprofit organization and how
you can become a partner at www.inhiswakes.com.
You can also hear from the heart of the IHW Director,
Nate Miller, on page 24.
And then, in August 2013, God opened new doors
for me to walk through—the doors of a prison. Going
to prison was most certainly not on my agenda; in fact,
it wasn’t even on my radar. God, however, had other
plans, and He used a former professional boat driver
who is doing time in the Miami Federal Prison to draw
me into a world that would soon rock my own.
During a visit with my friend, Bill Doyle, God began
to reveal to me His heart for the incarcerated. In that
revelation, He broke me. He opened my eyes to see
what He sees and tenderized my heart to feel what
He feels.
To God, the men in that prison weren’t murderers,
rapist, thieves, sexual offenders, abusers, or drug
dealers. They were people. They were fathers and
sons and husbands. They were people with great
talents who once had great dreams but had lost their
way. They were more than mere numbers in bland
jumpsuits—they were lives worth the very life of
the King. And more than anything, God wanted to
redeem their lives and use them for His glory.
When I left, I wept. “Okay, God, I see. Now what
do You want me do?”
He began to answer this prayer. Within months,
unsought invitations began arriving for me to speak
as a platform guest with top national prison ministries.
Behind the wire, I received the warmest welcome
from inmates whose hearts were obviously tender
and ready to receive God’s message of love and hope.
Then, the heads of the chaplaincy department of the
Florida Correctional System requested copies of this
magazine, Victorious Living, to be distributed within
every Florida prison.
The distribution of Victorious Living into the prison
system almost immediately spawned a flood of
letters, which led to the development of our prison
correspondence ministry headed by Linda Cubbedge.
(See her story here and on page 26.) This ministry
is currently discipling hundreds of inmates through
personal letters from our writing team, monthly
devotionals, and this quarterly publication. Every
day we receive powerful testimonies of how God is
using Victorious Living to literally save and transform
lives. Many inmates are fasting and praying, and even
financially supporting this outreach!
The mission of Victorious Living is to pierce the
hearts of captives in every prison in America. With
your partnership, this goal is possible. And you
know what is interesting? A little Victorious Living
goes a long way! We estimate the readership of the
magazine to be between seven and ten inmates per
issue. This issue alone has the potential to reach over
100,000 inmates.
Will you help us extend our reach? Your
donation of $20 or more will enable us
to send an inmate on our list a personal
subscription to Victorious Living for one
year. As a gift, you will receive your
own subscription as well. Furthermore,
your donation will help us send extra
copies to the chaplaincy department
to be distributed to inmates in solitary
confinement.
Lives will be changed! The prison system is fertile
ground for God’s love to take root and transform
minds. I’m so very honored to be a part of what God
is doing. Consider partnering with us today and help
an inmate find Victorious Living.
Thank you!
Kristi Overton Johnson
The Lord has provided three more godly
individuals to join our Prison Correspondence
Outreach Team. We now have 10 faithful
members writing on a weekly basis. In just this
month alone, they have responded to over 200
letters!
Our team receives so much encouragement
from the inmates’ letters. Many have a strong
faith in Jesus Christ, and they love sharing
what He has done for them. Many are praying,
and some even fast for us!
The top prayer request of the inmates is
for salvation, healing, and provision for their
family members. Some ask for prayer on behalf
of other inmates who are struggling with
depression or anger. I am amazed at the tender
hearts many have for their fellow prisoners and
correctional officers.
We as a team are very excited about what
the Spirit of God is doing behind prison walls
and in our hearts as well. Please pray for our
writing ministry. We are averaging about 10
new inmates a week. Upon receipt of their
letters, we reply with a welcome letter from
Kristi, an inspiring bookmark, and Kristi’s most
recent monthly devotion. Their names are
then given to our correspondence team, who
diligently prays for the inmates and responds
to their letters under the leading of the Holy
Spirit. Currently, nearly 400 inmates are
being discipled on a consistent basis. And this
number is growing daily! V
Kristi (center) meets with the Florida KOJM
Prison Correspondence Team. Thank you, ladies,
for your faithful service to the Lord and His
people. Thank you also to our Georgia Prison
Correspondence Team. Please pray for our
writers and for the inmates to whom they write.
30 www.kojministries.org