Semi-annual update, Winter, 2012

Dear Friends:

It is so good to finally be over the holidays hump! What a wonderful time of fellowship we had with our family and friends. This Christmas was especially good for us as we were able to not only take part in yet another amazing party at the Largo Road Prison, but also to give much-needed pajamas to the girls at the Gulf and Lake Academy – a co-ed juvenile detention center for felonious offenders.

 Well, unfortunately, along with the good news about how God was able to use us to minister to others during this Christmas season, there is a bit of bad news as well. The correctional institution in Belle Glades, FL has officially closed and all of the inmates have been scattered throughout the state. Please continue to pray for them and their families, as well as for the chaplaincy staff and the officers who now must seek other employment. One big positive that did come from this, however, was that the Spirit of God moved mightily in our last service there – what a great parting gift!

 2011 was also a year when we saw a powerful move of God in all of our services. It is definitely apparent that we are nearing the last days and God truly is preparing the fields for harvest! At Marion C.I. for instance, the Spirit’s presence was so heavy in the chapel that it literally left us breathless – truly a life-changing experience for everyone in attendance.

If that’s not enough, what God did at Cross City was nothing short of a miracle. To start out, we couldn’t help but notice that the officers kept taking turns coming into the service. Then, once we’d finished, one of them came over to us and thanked us for coming; even going so far as to say that what we were doing was actually making a difference. He said that after our services, the men were calmer – not unlike getting a visit from a family member. He then thanked us again; saying that what we do actually helps make their jobs easier. Wow! What a powerful testimony!

 Of course, it’s always important to remember what our main objective is – spreading the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through songs and testimonies. It’s hard to realize, but we may be the only Jesus that some of these men will ever meet during their time behind bars. What an awesome responsibility! That is why we try to never take for granted any opportunity we have to share the love of Christ with them before they are released. In many cases, just knowing that someone is thinking about them, praying for them, and telling them that they are loved can do wonders for these all-too-often neglected men and women.

Another area of concern we have is in regards to the chaplains and officers that are currently in the process of losing their jobs due to state-wide budget cuts and further facility shut downs.

Now, you might think that the prisons closing would be a good thing – meaning less serious offenders. When in reality the remaining facilities are very quickly finding themselves overcrowded and understaffed. Please, please, please pray for those men and women who have devoted so much of their lives to serving in our great state’s correctional institutions.

 Another great blessing that we received this past year was the newest addition to our family – Mikayla Grace McCleary born June 30^th, 2011.

 As you can see, she is such a beautiful little angel and, as her name implies, she really is just full of God’s amazing grace!

 We’d also like to give a heartfelt thanks to all who filled in while Phyllis was out with the baby. You were all amazing and we love you all so much! Thank you.

 In closing, we would also like to thank each and every one of you for your continued prayers and financial support. It may sound cliché, but without the much-needed funds we receive from dear friends such as you, we simply would not be able to do what is so desperately needed – spreading the light of God’s love into the darkness of the Florida state prison system through inspirational music and our testimonies.

 Oh, and one more thing, we are planning a fund-raising banquet in May. Please pray and ask God what you can do to really bless this ministry. Also, if you know of a church (especially yours!) that would be willing to allow us to come and share about the wonderful things that God is doing through our ministry, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to do so.

 Again, thank you all so much for partnering with us. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Your faithful servants in Christ,
Frankie Johnson
Michael & Phyllis McCleary

PO Box 6075
Clearwater, FL
727-518-5906 / 727-531-6576