The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection "Men's Ministry" for May 2014
Greetings Men of the Church of the Resurrection,
Last night I had the great joy of visiting and teaching on the Holy Spirit at Leavenworth Federal Prison. I always love teaching there. The men are so gracious, kind and appreciative of our visits. I cannot help but be inspired by their sincere spiritual hunger and desire to learn and grow in their faith. What is equally impressive to me is the large number of men and women who make the nearly 100 mile return trip each week to either Lansing State or Leavenworth prisons. I go only occasionally, but these true saints go every week. I want you to meet Rick Bobbitt in my interview just below. Rick is a man with a mission. I am thankful for Rick and the dozens of volunteers who go each week to minister to those behind bars. “Remember the prisoners, as those in prison with them” writes the New Testament author of Hebrews. If you have not yet found your place of meaningful service you should visit our prison ministry. What a joyful experience!In Christ,
Jeff Kirby
Interview with Rick Bobbitt
Rick, tell us about yourself. What is your vocation?
I own two companies, both began in 1991: a Kansas City area real estate appraisal firm and a real estate appraisal school. I appraise and review appraisals of single family residences. We are authorized to teach in both MO and KS to:• Offer pre-license education in order to get a license.
• Offer continuing education to meet the annual
requirement to renew and maintain a license.
Prior to 1991, I was in banking. Prior to that, after college in 1971, I was in and out of the US Army through the Army Reserves. I completed 10 years enlisted and 17 years commissioned officer time for a total of 27 years; I am now retired as a Major branched Civil Affairs Officer (military government).
Tell us a bit about your journey of faith. Did you grow up in the faith or was that something that happened later in life?
Growing up in Lebanon MO, I was baptized at the age of 10. I doubt that I knew what it meant, it was just that the other guys were doing it and so I did too. It wasn't until I was married that I was born again by confessing my faith in Jesus Christ at a Promise Keepers conference in 1992. After I returned from Desert Storm I experienced bouts with PTSD, both parents passed away, as did my wife. Prayer and prayer healing/counseling have seen me through that strife. I raised my daughters with Christian principles, which remain with them today. I’ve been married to my current wife for 6 years. We are equally yoked and she wholeheartedly supports my prison ministry.
You have been serving in the prison ministry. Tell us about how that came about and what has that meant to you?
I initially was an Alpha leader at my former church. I left that church due to a painful personal experience and floated for years until I landed at Church of the Resurrection. It was here I again volunteered to lead Alpha. I didn't realize at the time that I was volunteering to lead in Lansing State Prison! I felt the calling by God to go ahead and volunteer. Initially I was apprehensive, but after I became acquainted with the inmates, I realized this was the challenge God had for me—this was the sea that needed parting. I felt like this was where I needed to be. This was where I could make a difference, where I could devote my energy and talents, and reap a reward for Him!
I participated in three Alpha cycles per year for five years at Lansing and was asked to lead the program at Leavenworth Federal prison. Here the prison population seemed to be different. No longer was I listening to Kansans, but now I was listening to men of all the spectrum of life. But they had one thing in common; they were thirsty to hear about God. They read the Bible incessantly and studied both in groups and independently.
Everyone in the Alpha Program is serious about learning more and following Christ daily. Leading Alpha in Prison ministry has rewarded me 100 fold. I feel a sense of accomplishment in giving to my brothers, despite their background. I have learned to see past their indiscretions and hope I am seeing them just like Jesus would. I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in their prayers, singing, and discussions of the nightly Alpha video. God has definitely blessed me through the Alpha ministry. Alpha has become a part of my life. I look forward to driving to Leavenworth every week and dread having to say goodbye at graduation. It is truly an awesome, spirit-filled, rewarding way to serve God.
Sports and Recreation
please contact Pete Sawyer at
sawyer46@aol.com or 913-681-8729.
Adult Summer Coed Outdoor Sand Volleyball
Summer league starts Sunday, June 8 and runs 7 weeks. Games are played at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex
(137th & Antioch). Cost is $35.00 per player. Game times run between 5:00-8:00pm. Register individually or as a team.
Sign-up deadline is 5/18/14. Contact Pete Sawyer at sawyer46@aol.com.
Adult Summer Coed Kickball
Summer season starts Sunday, June 1 and runs for 5 weeks.Games are played at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex
(137th & Antioch). Cost is $21.00 per player. Game times run between 2:00-10:00pm. Register individually or as a team.
Sign-up deadline is 5/9/14. Contact Pete Sawyer at sawyer46@aol.com
Car Show
July 12, 2014
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224 United States
(913)897-0120
www.cor.org
Next Study:
Galatians—The Epistle of Freedom
Tuesday Evenings
4 weeks
May 6—May 27
7:00—8:30pm
Student Center
For more information or to register, click here
If you would like to receive email notifications of future TBS sessions, click here
Making Sense of the Bible:
A Conversation with Adam Hamilton
Were Adam and Eve real People? Is Jesus the only way to salvation? How does God view Homosexual people?
Join us as Pastor Adam talks about these questions and more from his new book:
Making Sense of the Bible
Monday, May 12th
7—9 pm
Sanctuary, Leawood Campus
The Fellowship
Join Anytime!
Current Book Study:
Galatians—The Epistle of Freedom
Tuesday Mornings
6:45—7:45am
Room C144 (E-220)
Click here for details
No registration necessary
First Tuesdays for Late Night Dads formerly Band of Brothers
May 6
8:30—10:00 pm
Room C144 (E-220)
Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for group discussion
and fellowship with other Dads.
Dads of all ages welcome
No registration needed
Contact Jon Edlin with any questions.
New Day Prison Ministry:
Help restore hope for those currently incarcerated and recently released offenders and their families through personal visits, Bible Study, mentoring relationships and acts of service. Click here for details or contact
Gerry Lewis for more information.
A Night at the
Ball Park!
Royals vs.Yankees
We will be selling tickets to the June 6th
Yankees vs. Royals game at Kauffman Stadium. The game starts at 6:10 and will be followed by the Hy-Vee Fireworks Show.
Tickets will be available in the Narthex following worship the weekends of May 17 and 24. Cash, credit or check will be accepted.
Support the Honduran Methodist Mission
Honduran coffee (whole and ground) is for sale in the Spring.
All proceeds go toward the Methodist Mission in Honduras.
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