Basic Progress: It Works!


Coach's Note:

Basic Progress was developed over a six year period in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The format and flow was determined by what the participants wanted to hear about next. I would go home, do my research and reflection, put it together for a group and return the next week with raw material. The inmates served to check out its scriptural and logical legitimacy. Over time, the progression in the workbook became obvious. It is a natural spiritual flow that was put together by asking seekers what they were thinking about next. This letter was written by a prisoner in the Texas penal system.

It is an honor and privilege to write a letter of commendation and a plea to you for financial support for a radically effective ministry called Basic Progress. Its founder and author, Coach James Holland, has finally created a program that gets right down to the "basics." Having been incarcerated four times over four decades, I have seen and participated in just about every program offered. The fact that I am now enduring my fourth fall speaks to the effectiveness of those programs. The amazing mix of a personal God, Coach and interaction with peers along with open mindedness, honesty and a receptive heart are the essential ingredients of recovery and healing. The spiritual growth I've experienced in BP is hard to define or explain in words. The best way would be to just say that I smile a lot more now, I laugh more now and I sleep much better than before.

I've confronted some harsh truths about myself. After a good closet-cleaning, I'm relieved of some excess baggage that has hampered my spiritual growth and distorted my view of God. Everything I have done, good or bad, was for self-gain. I was waging a futile and hopeless war against society and its laws. I was surprised to find that this war was being waged within me as well -with the same pitiful results. Having realized that I am destroying my own life, one miserable day at a time, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot manage my life. BP has introduced me to a personal God that will.

I now know that God has forgiven me. Now, I can accept myself or else I'm saying that I'm bigger than God and know better than God. I now have a relationship with a God I can talk to one-on-one. He is not so far off that He can't hear me. Basically, God is not a authoritarian or totalitarian ruler standing over me with a whip ready to crack it across my back at every failure. Instead, I now know a loving God who is beside me, guiding me with a compassionate hand. That'll put a smile on anyone's face!

The fellowship of BP participants with the other believers is a great help with the everyday problems of a Christian. I need the input from others who are in the program, I also need their comfort when I do make the wrong choices. The people in the program are not in it for self glory or material rewards. We had come to the realization that something was wrong with the way our lives were going and we are seeking to straighten them out through spiritual growth. Basic Progress has given us structure and tools to become productive citizens and good husbands and fathers in the world. I am confident of that. Without Basic Progress, I would have never realized any of this. I thank God, every day, for my peace of mind, my salvation and the Basic Progress course.

I recommend this program for everybody.

©2006 Basic Progress