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Five More Baptisms at the Wapato City Jail!
http://www.reviewindependent.com/articles/1465/1/Five-More-Baptisms-at-the-Wapato-City-Jail/Page1.html
Larry Schoonover
I have fond memories of spending weekends on my grand-father's farm out on Evan's Road where my dad's family grew up. My grandfather had forty acres where he raised a delicious variety of apples and milked cows. Little did I know I would again return to the valley.  
By Larry Schoonover
Published on 01/24/2009
 
In recent months and weeks, many inmates are stepping up to be baptized by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Five More Baptisms at the Wapato City Jail!

Members of the Lighthouse Church in Wapato have commited themselves for ministry to the inmates at the Wapato City Jail.  Each Wednesday Night and Saturday afternoon, Cuco Roa and Tim and Araceli Sanchez leave the comfort of home to spend time giving bible studies and sharing ministry with both the men and women who are incercerated.


In recent months and weeks, many inmates are stepping up to be baptized by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ.  They have learned of their need for baptism through study of the New Testament scriptures pertaining to remission or forgiveness of sins.



Srgt. Bruce Benscoter has been very helpful and understanding when we have requested to bring a tank of water into the building in the back of Cuco Roa's pickup truck.  He has been very supportive and proactive in working with those who sincerely wish to help the inmates at the Wapato Jail. 


Of the 62 water baptisms performed at the Lighthouse this past year, 18 were performed at the jail.  Recently, more men and women from the Lighthouse congregation are expressing their desire to get involved in this ministry. 


My personal involvement in ministry to the incarcerated dates back to 1989-1991 when my wife and I taught classes at the Yakima County Jail and also visited inmates at the Work Release Center on 64th in Yakima.  I served as District Prison Chaplain for the United Pentecostal Church on Washington for five years visiting state institutions such as Walla Walla and McNiel Island.


Now that our children are mostly grown we are able to give more time once again to this needed ministry. 

While Araceli Sanchez teaches Bible Studies to the women on Saturday, each Wednesday night, her husband Tim Sanchez and Cuco Roa teach the men.  Cuco Roa also sits on the city council for Wapato.



Another ministry of the Lighthouse Church which compliments the Jail Ministry is L.I.F.E. (Life In Focus Education).



See Continued...

Life In Focus Education

Continued...

Life In Focus Education provides FREE classes for Anger Management, Parenting Skills, Drug & Alcohol and Employment Development.

Location for classes in Yakima are:

The Intersection Church, 3114 4th Street, Union Gap, WA 98903    (509) 965-4816
http://www.theintersectionchurch.com/

Classes in Wapato are held at The Lighthouse Church, 105  East 4th Street, Wapato, WA  http://www.wapatolighthouse.com/