MID-AMERICA’S ARKANSAS PRISON INITIATIVE INAUGURAL GRADUATING CLASS
Executive Vice President and College Dean, Dr. Brad
Established in 2019, Mid-America’s first prison
tailored to equip them to minister to other inmates.
program, the Arkansas Prison Initiative at the Varner
As Mid-America students, the exact academic
Supermax Unit in Gould, Arkansas, was pleased to
expectations and moral standards of Mid-America
present its inaugural commencement exercises
apply. Upon graduation, the department of corrections
on May 12, 2023. Eighteen inmate graduates were
invites eligible inmates to participate as field ministers
Thompson, Director of the Varner Prison Initiative, A number of Arkansas dignitaries and prison administrators also attended. Inmates who participate receive an education
awarded a fully
in the prison system.
accredited Bachelor
Tasked with various
of Arts in Christian
assignments, the
Studies from The
department of
College at Mid-
corrections uses
America.
these field ministers
The event was
to help promote moral
attended by Mid-
rehabilitation within
America President,
the prison they serve.
Dr. Mike Spradlin,
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND PORTRAYING THE GOSPEL, MID-AMERICA PASSION PLAY WITNESSES 41 SALVATIONS BY DR. JAMES D. WHITMIRE
INSTRUCTOR EMERITUS, MUSIC AND WORSHIP It was an absolute joy to be a part of the Mid America Passion Play, presented in the Mid-America Chapel, March 30–April 2. From the first tryouts through all the rehearsals, things went so well that God’s provision and protection were evident. God the Father watched over the whole production, “enthroned on His praise”. God the Holy Spirit “kissed it” with His blessing as Jesus, God the Son, was magnified through all that was done on stage. We had the largest cast and crew we have had. The “pit choir” and orchestra were beautiful! All the tickets were sold with extra seats put out on the last performance. We had 41 people saved with 55 rededications. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). We felt this freedom and liberty at every rehearsal and all five performances! I had fun directing it, and the audience enjoyed it. We felt God’s liberty and freedom every night.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Mark Thompson, and other Mid-America faculty.