BP Partners

Executive Archive: 2000

BP Note:

By the end of 2000, I felt it necessary to consider ways in which churches could be prepared to handle Basic Progress participants as they were released from the criminal justice system. I conceived of a reintroduction phase to BP called 'Project Home' that would assist caring people in the local churches provide continued spiritual nurture for their newly released brethren. My goal was for Basic Progress to be an agent for connecting and a venue for counsel regarding relational boundaries and Christian support. A rather unfortunate event in December of 2000 changed everything: the escape of the seven inmates from the Connally unit in Kenedy Texas. Immediately, the entire volunteer system was temporarily shut down. BP was one of the few programs allowed to continue, but security was strict and our time on the units was limited to one hour. It signaled the end to the Prison Intervention period of development for Basic Progress. At the time of this writing (2006), we do not have any sessions planned in a prison setting.

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General Letter from the founder of Basic Progress Ministries
Fall 2000

To the Board of Directors, Officers, Staff, Volunteers and Friends of Basic Progress Ministries,

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God's grace and peace be with you.

BP is a deliberate effort to restore the fallen, to convert the lost, and to teach personal responsibility to the troubled. The BP curriculum is a full year of classes, instruction, and discussion -- a year that will change direction and potential for all involved. In our first two years, 180 people have accepted Christ. You are invited to join me as this ministry expands to, not only in the prison system in Texas, but to the internet, to court ordered faith-based recovery, parole and probation mandates and to places I cannot yet foresee.

Most of the people I engage through Basic Progress have had significant issues God. The sad fact is that socially inept individuals have a warped view of the nature, character and will of God. Self focus and self dependency is the primary cause. They often define their failure as the inability gain the proper "things," convince the "right people" and/or develop the "perfect environment." If the people, places, and things of life were in the proper order; if they could only get the right break or make the well timed compromise or show a great profit loss statement; then, and only then, would if have the ideal life. More often than not, they do not even consider God to be an alternative to the solutions of their lives. They are badly in need of a spiritual paradigm shift that empowers them to progress rather than their status quo which engenders their continued stagnation in unbelief.

Basic Progress Ministries provides the resources for them to arrive at the decisive moment of repentance and conversion. We believe that 'Now' is the time to accept and acknowledge the absolute sovereignty, power, grace and love of God. God knows and is concerned with what is going on and wants to actively participate in our lives. Basic Progress Ministries reintroduces Biblical Christianity with a determined effort to avoid tradition, pressure, fear, or sectarianism. For those who make it through the rigors of the activities and discussions on the Basic Progress classroom, they are awakened to a new Christ, a new Church, and a new hope of God's acceptance.

On the other hand, these people to whom I minister are in a fortunate position of isolation from the routine pressures from every day life. Certainly, there is plenty of stress in prison, but it is a manageable challenge that does not compare to bills, rent, insurance, food, and raising children. I stress the importance of using this time to get faith issues sorted out and implemented before they return to the rigors of dealing with freedom and the world at large. The paradox is that although it seems that the worst crisis possible is at the time of their incarceration, their real crisis is when they are released again to a new beginning. Unless a relationship with God is firmly in place and functional, they will eventually return to old ways, old habits and old friends. Of course, unhealthy lifestyles will exasperate relationships with everybody and everything once again. They will need the support of the local churches to bring this restoration to a successful conclusion.

Destination HOME is the final phase of this ministry. This will engage the local churches as the formative entity that will ensure permanence and stability. Our role in this endeavor is to tell our story and ask for their support. In the end it is the church that must take the lead in his or her development. This is no easy task, but there are three main points that need to be addressed. First, the collective growth of the church is dependent upon the deliberate activity of "raising" new converts in the truth. For most stagnant churches, this is the absent ingredient. Secondly, the enhanced relationship with God, for both the students and teachers, is attained through the praying and meditation that intensive regular study requires. This will geometrically enhance the function and growth of the church within its own community. Last, it is only through this nurturing process that the commitment to Christ is permanently embedded. Passing on the legacy of being a child of God is therapeutic. Old notions and misconceptions are replaced with stable and reliable principles; unhealthy and nonproductive relationships are replaced with a bond that is seated with the mutual strivings to overcoming self-defeating sins; and the newcomer becomes identified with God's family in worship and lifestyle. It is a win / win situation for all. Thank you for your continued support.

May the God of Peace be with you.

James Holland, Jr.

Founder and Executive Director

Basic Progress Ministries, Inc.