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A Message from Executive Director, Anthony Wood
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Anthony Wood, AKA "Pops" or "Dad" to many of our young men
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Dear Friends of Carmen Ministries,
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in helping Carmen Ministries throughout 2015. It was a challenging year but with the help of volunteers from local churches and the ever present support of my family, we were able to continue to spread His word to so many young men looking for guidance.
God has given us countless blessings to keep us going, and He continues to pour out His great love upon our ministry. May God bless us all and keep our hearts always open to His plan. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Yours in Christ, Anthony Wood
CEO and Founder, Carmen Ministries
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
1 Peter 5:2-3
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Featured Story - Meet David
David is one of the young men mentored by Tony Wood and Carmen Ministries. His story is one of success.
As I was growing up in Asbury Par
k, NJ in the early '90s, I was one of the few white kids on the streets. This distinction
made me stick out, and I received a lot of attention for it. I was picked on and bullied for being the poor, white kid. I wanted to be accepted. Being bullied brought out the anger and bitterness in me; I be
gan to use alcohol and drugs as a way to be accepted. The anger I felt was only fueled by my drinking; I became more aggressive and my behavior was uncontrollable. This downward progression landed me in prison, which became a pivotal point in my life. [Read more.]
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Daily Devotion
The following is an excerpt from a daily devotional written by Pastor Jerry Scott of Faith Discovery Church in Washington, NJ.
Tony's ministry is to men in prison and those recently released from incarceration. He is fondly called "Dad" by dozens of these guys. When we talk about the choices (usually involving illegal drugs) that got them tangled up with the legal system, there is another factor common to many, if not most, of these young men - the man who impregnated their mother failed to be a father. They grew up without guidance, without male affection, without the discipline that a loving Dad provides. [
Read more.]
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Tru-Motivation Tour
In September 2015 the residents of the Voorhees Residential Group Home were blessed with a visit from Tru-Motivation Tour. The evening was filled with dancing, drama and singing. The following is an excerpt from a note received from one of the performers, Jewel Dean.
"I just wanted to thank you for opening up your home to us during the Tru-Motivation Tour visit. It is so evident that you have a passion for people and you are giving them the tools to forgive, free themselves and move forward. I thoroughly enjoyed ministering to the youth, and it probably did more for me than it did for them. It's my prayer that your ministry continues to thrive and favor goes before you in all your endeavors. All God's best!" -
Jewel Dean
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A Letter From Robert
The following comes from a letter Tony received from one of the young men he mentors.
My dear friend, brother and confidant, Thank you greatly and from the bottom of my heart for all your love, support and encouragement. I received the Bible study lesson from the past week. I also received the copy of The Rhythm of Life, and it is EXACTLY what I needed and at precisely the right time! I was caught up in my emotions, and I could not put together a clear thought to save my life. I was in mourning over the loss of a relationship and the loss of my freedom. [Read more.]
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Mentoring for Success
We count many of the young men we mentor as our successes. While we sometimes lose contact with individuals, we pray for their continued success. We were pleased to hear from one man who reached out to us via social media after seeing one of our updates.
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Shaun, a former mentee, and his family
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Shaun
Shaun was one of the young men formerly mentored by Tony. There had been no contact for 14 years. After finding Tony on Facebook through the Carmen Ministries page, Shaun contacted Tony to say thank you. Not only did Shaun say "Thank you," but he brought his wife and son to New Jersey to visit Tony and his family in June 2015. Shaun has a good job and a beautiful family. God bless you, Shaun, and your family. We wish you continued success.
Lonzo
We also heard from another young man Lonzo, who is currently working and going to school, studying the culinary arts. In August, he began an internship. Lonzo is also volunteering in his church as a chef. He is focused on moving forward and staying out of trouble. God bless you Lonzo; we pray for many blessings in the years ahead.
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Excerpts from Letters from Our Young Men
Carmen Ministries mentors and touches the lives of so many young men though its teachings about Christ. These men look to Carmen Ministries for spiritual, emotional and physical support. Below is a representative sampling of the
continuous
outpouring of pleas for love and thankfulness Carmen Ministries has received.
There is no growth without change; no change without fear or loss; and no loss without pain. I've learned that great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet. [Read more.]
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Support the Ministry
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Please consider supporting Carmen Ministries through the Amazon Smile Program.
Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your purchases to Carmen Ministries. Simply select Carmen Ministries in Hackettstown, NJ as your charity.
Carmen Ministries is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.
Any donation to Carmen Ministries is fully deductible to the extent allowable by law.
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Ministry Sponsor: Hunterdon Business Services, LLC
Please patronize our ministry sponsor, Hunterdon Business Services, LLC. To contact Hunterdon Business Services, click here.
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Newsletter Options
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Carmen Ministries is moving towards reducing the cost of printing communications by sending electronic transmissions.
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Tony Named 2015 Volunteer of the Year
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Tony and his wife, Rosetta
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Carmen Ministries founder Tony Wood was selected by the Mountainview Correctional Facility as Volunteer of the Year for the 2015. He was honored at the New Jersey Department of Corrections' annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony, which was held on October 6 at the War Memorial building in Trenton, NJ. It was a true celebration and recognition of Tony's work.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10
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Carmen Ministries Info
PO Box 421
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Tel: (908) 835-7805
Fax: (908) 835-7808
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Board of Directors
Executive Director/President:
Tony Wood
Chairperson:
Daniel R. MIller
Operations Director:
James C. Hoyt
Vice President:
Robert T. Dell Elba
Secretary Emeritus:
Brian Hancock, Esq.
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This is My Father's World
This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget,
And though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world,
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring.
God reigns let the earth be glad.
Public Domain
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Prayer Requests
Our young men pray:
- for me to make it home next month and that I will get into trade school
- to be successful in life, maintain good behavior and become a positive peer [Read more.]
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Our Thanks to You
We would like to give a special thanks to those who contributed to Carmen Ministries this year. Carmen Ministries continues to face administrative challenges and obstacles but in spite of these, we are grateful to God for all He has given us.
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Ephesians 5:20
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Newsletter Note
Names of the incarcerated have been omitted to provide anonymity. Articles, interviews and letters may have been edited and condensed for use in this communication. Every effort has been made to preserve the original intent of the message.
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