Notes;
If there is a step that the Lord has used to restore your life, job, or relationships and you would like to share your story, we are presently working on the AC big book. Please send your testimonies to the AC office. No less than 250 words and no more than 500.
Please remember that if you send a personal check/money order for the group’s contribution, please, please say on the memo line of the check that it is for the group, or include a note saying that it is for the group and not your personal contribution. We want to be sure to give you and your group the proper credit for contributions sent to the office.

The Good Samaritan

God has been moving in such a powerful way in the Jail and Prison Ministries of Alcoholics for Christ. We are seeing both Men and Women accepting the Lord and becoming born again and we are watching their lives restored and changed through the AC 12—Step Jail and Prison Ministries Program. As God’s laborers obey His call to take the 12 Steps into multiple facilities, God’s word clearly says in Matthew 25:40 “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me.” Read Matthew 25: 36-46

I would like to share a very special experience where God abundantly poured out his Mercy and Grace at the Oakland County Jail. Just recently, I was asked by a precious mother named Rose D. who has been attending AC meetings for a number of years. Rose asked me to visit her son Joe who was in Oakland County Jail. I had visited him on other occasions, but really didn’t think Joe was ready to surrender. But this visit was different and this time I felt Joe had come to the end of himself. I believe this to be a direct result of his mother Rose’s prayers and her faith as she kept believing God for her son’s salvation.

As I shared with Joe, “the passion of the Christ” and the scripture in Isaiah 53:1-6 and all of Jesus Suffering and death was done for him personally to be his ransom for his personal salvation , healing, and restoration. I won’t forget how Joe looked me right in my eyes and said “ I’m ready to receive Jesus as my Lord and Manager of my life.” After we prayed together, his total countenance changed instantly, and Joe said “ WOW! I feel better already.”

This young man Joe DeAngelis was released from Oakland County Jail a short time later. In the process of helping a friend that was being beaten, Joe was shot and killed. Joe’s precious life ended at 24 years of age. God’s word says in John 15:13

“ Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I had the ultimate privilege to preach at Joe’s funeral and had such an inner peace knowing that Joe was absent from his body, but was present with his Lord.
11 Corinthians 5:8

Yours in the Master’s Service, Jim Bridges—AC Jail and Prison Ministries
Joseph G. DeAngelis March 12, 1980—March 22, 2004

Please keep Joe’s mother Rose in your prayers!

Praise God

I want to thank everyone for all the help with the Saturday March 20, workshop. We were so blessed to see the way the people came together. I thank God for Pastor Bill for making Living Hope church available to us for this workshop. Pastor Bob has been so supportive of AC he has given us our own AC office within the church. Chet and I are deeply grateful. I want to thank Don for working on the sound system, Terri and Laurie for leading the Adult Child workshop, Rodney , Cornelius, and Chet for leading the substance workshop, Ola for leading the Family workshop. Joe and Jeff did a wonderful job with the question and answer session. The Amazing Grace Band was great and many people were very blessed by their musical talents. Terry, Karen, Marie and Sharon were also a big help in organizing this workshop. Thank each and everyone that came and for all those that helped. A great big Thank you to all! I am very grateful you made it easy to do the workshop. May our Lord Bless you all, I love you! Betty– AC Pontiac Group

Please note;
There are tapes available from this Women’s Retreat upon request at the AC Office for $4.00 each plus shipping.

The AC office has several resources available to assist you in your walk in Recovery.

If you would like to share in the next newsletter please send your Praise Reports to the
AC office Attention: Laurie/NL







“CATARACTS”

Definition for Cataracts: Clouding of the lens by clumping protein blurs clear vision

During break time at the Women’s Retreat. I went over to greet Mrs. Armstrong. After speaking to her, she began to share how happy she is since she head her cataracts removed. Carol joined us and began asking Mrs. Armstrong about the symptoms of having cataracts. Carol began to ask her if “flexing” of the eye is a symptom or not? Mrs. Armstrong said the “flexing” meant that the cataract was trying to find a place to hatch. How profound!!!
Immediately, the Holy Ghost brought to mind that this is what happens to us when we have been offended or hurt in some way. The offence “flexes” around until it finds an unguarded place in our hearts to hatch or take root and spring up into bitterness, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, etc. When offences come, we need to resolve them as soon as possible to avoid them “hatching” and blurring our vision of God. It could even lead to hardening of our heart
Days after the Women’s Retreat, I began to reflect on how the Holy Ghost is speaking and I asked Him what to do after “ emotional cataract” has hatched. He immediately said Simply, “forgive”. Forgive? How awesome!!! What a simple answer; God’s answer. But it is going to involve hard work.
Wow!!! I thought, the answer was already given to us in “Step 8” presentation by our dynamic speaker, Carol Congemi. Amazing!!! The answer came before the question. Awesome how God works.
Forgive and our emotional cataracts will drop off and no longer impair our vision to see and hear from God more clearly. On the road to recovery, Caroline-Monday Night-Detroit Group

Ann Arbor Shares

We would like to thank you for allowing us to be apart of your wonderful ministry of Alcoholics for Christ. We have had many clear signs that our part in this program is definitely from God. I have enclosed a check for our third week offering, which, I’m sorry isn’t much, but we are rejoicing because we are finally getting attendance and God willing our offering and ministry will continue to grow. I have been keeping a journal of our steps to get the word out of this Ministry, we have advertised in the Ann Arbor News, Unfortunately only one day cost $26.60 per/day. I am praying we will continue with growth and will be able to advertise more in the paper. I am checking on other advertising means. We have talked with a person in charge of a homeless shelter and I am planning on faxing and delivering flyers to local churches and other organizations such as the woman’s shelter. At this time our goal is to reach people with the love and healing through Jesus Christ. We have already seen Jesus working in one of our members life. My prayer is that others can see the love that is in our group and healing can begin and bring forth some awesome testimonies. At our church Ann Arbor Church of Christ I learned of a man who is experienced in the Prison Ministry. I told him about Alcoholics for Christ and he seemed very interested. God willing he may attend our Saturday night meeting next week. It is amazing to me how beautifully this is coming together and I pray I am able to share many successful testimonies in the future. Your brother and sister in Christ, Les & Michele

Hi Everyone,
I’m Writing for a couple reasons, to introduce myself to all of you and let you know how our group is doing, and hopefully to get some spiritual support. We started our charter here in Knoxville, TN. At the first of this year. It has been a slow start, as I suspected. Of the first 4 meetings (we meet every Saturday 10:00 AM) since 1-31-04 one meeting has been a no show and the others have had three or less attending including myself! But , I have been an active AA member since 1984, and have been involved in the start up of several of 12 step meetings. I’m “OK” with low attendance and no show meetings. My passion for this “Twelve Step” work goes beyond this temporary disappointing hold up.
I was confronted by an avid AA member who was disturbed to see the sign on my church (Grace Lutheran) , advertising our 12 step meeting. She seemed to think that AA somehow owned the term “ 12 step meeting” ! But, after a short, loving and, patient conversation with her I was able to reassure her that we were not an AA meeting. Therefore, we were not obligated to the 12 traditions, which clearly state NO advertising or affiliations. I even invited her to the meeting, I got the impression that she may be a no show, oh well. You never know , God truly works in mysterious ways.
My church has been a wonderful resource of support and encouragement. Along with the sign which is quite prominent and sits on a very busy byway, they are actively participating in the promotion of this critical ministry. As our church has just recently adopted a million dollar budget, it is exciting to know that they are including our meeting in; TV, radio, and newspaper adds. WOW! It’s good to be apart of such a wonderfully “Holy Spirit” body of Christ. I have to say that Pastor Richard E. Elseroad has been a huge motivating force behind this Support Ministry. I have never known a more evangical Lutheran Minister! His heart is definitely with ours and his vision is of a unified body in Christ is truly inspiring. I am genuinely blessed to be a part of this congregation.
I pray this group will grow and that the chance to give the hope and serenity to the suffering alcoholic and addict will expand my horizons. I pray that the community will embrace this ministry as it is so desperately needed. I pray that the AA society will accept this 12 step program and see it as a help to the recovery outreach. I pray In Christ Jesus our savior’s name and give Him all the glory and honor. Humble Servant—Graig—Knoxville TN Group