How this seed got planted....
2012 --- Present
In 2012, Rochelle started writing to a family friend who spent time in prison. This friend lived with a dozen or so roommates; after sending them Christmas cards, soon she was writing to 12 inmates. She decided to start a monthly free newsletter and pen pal ministry. Her newsletters included Bible studies, puzzles, jokes, Church history, testimonials, and even writings from inmates themselves. As people would get discharged or moved to new facilities, the seed continued to grow by word of mouth. Recently Rochelle was given a slew of female prisoners who requested a pen pal from a local prison Chaplain. She has written hundreds of newsletters thus far and sent thousands of letters to men and women in the past years. She also has shut-ins and some elderly in nursing homes on her list.
God growing the seedFirst off, Rochelle never set out to start a ministry. She just wanted to encourage one friend. God grew that one into hundreds of people, and God gave her a heart for those who are trying to grow in Christ in such a dark place. Without asking, God rose up people in her church to support her and pray for the needs that she received in the letters. God even provided stamps, bookmarks, cash, and envelopes at just the right time when she needed it. As ministry is just doing God's work over and over, He has graciously used Rochelle to be a voice of encouragement, Biblical truth, and a Christian friend to so many who love God but have little Christian light each day. She is deeply humbled in this work.
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Rochelle's BackgroundRochelle has been in church ministry for over 30 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, children's worker, VBS leader, Music Director, women's ministry leader and accompanist. She attended Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, and Grand Valley State University, Michigan, earning degrees in Church Music and Music Theory/Composition. She has written/taught several Bible Studies, including "Ecclesiateas: At Study of Tea and Wisdom", "Sevens in the Bible", "Emmaus: Luke 24", and others. Rochelle has been a church musician, accompanist, vocalist, and music director. She has led workshops on hymn-writing and worship leadership. She earned a 2-year certificate of liturgical music studies from the Lutheran/Episcopal program called Music Leadership for Musicians. She also served on their board for 2 years. She was the Assistant Director and accompanist for the Spostylvanians Community Chorus in Virginia. She also served as music director at an Episcopal Church for 15 years in Fredericksburg, VA. She uses her love for the Bible and her love of writing to encourage men and women behind bars. Every prisoner is prayed for as each stamp is applied to the envelope. She and husband, Darren, recently moved to Marshall, Michigan. She is supported by her husband, Darren, who gives her space to write and answer letters. He is a superb help-mate. Her son, Jimmy, serves in the US Army, having served in Afghanistan and in Japan. She loves gardening, tea parties, all things Royal, and her 5 cats. |
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