Do you watch the television reality show Shark Tank? The show is about budding entrepreneurs who have an idea and need funding from one of the “sharks” who are millionaire or billionaire entrepreneurs who once had an idea as they had. One of the most frequently asked questions of the budding entrepreneurs is: “Do you have proof of concept?”

As we’ve shared in our update about Freedom Lake, finding the actual property is still in process. However, if people are wondering if the Freedom Lake property has proof of concept, the answer is an emphatic yes.

But the evidence is not based on a building or physical space but in the tools utilized to change lives. 

The spirit-growing 3Thirds discipleship tools we use inside the prison system are tools that are used around the world. The evidence is in 890 groups in 20 countries as of the date of this article. 

Inside the prison facility in which we serve as missionaries with Team Expansion, we have – with help from the director, and the owners of the facility – a dedicated dorm for those who we minister and disciple to who want to continue their spiritual growth in a “safe space”. 

We can show anyone who wants proof of concept how this dorm has an impact on those who reside there and the long-term benefits upon their re-entry to society. It is in this dorm that we have been able to show how the results could be replicated with greater effects and benefits outside the prison system. 

Men having a dedicated space for spiritual growth forming good habits surrounded by godly influences makes all the difference between a life forever in mainstream society and a return to incarceration.

The ones who have been successful once released from prison go beyond those who are not on drugs or back in jail; however, these men are not in environments where they can spiritually grow. Success is beyond a job or staying clean and sober but one who seeks the will of God. 

Putting distance between themselves and the old habits/environments/people is vital in achieving peace and tranquility rather than chaos and unrest.

Freedom Lake’s first objective is to provide an environment to deepen their relationship with God. 

The second objective of Freedom Lake is to reduce the recidivism rate which is also a goal of the DOC, our politicians, law enforcement, and communities. This is where a faith-based initiative and a secular system can intersect due to a common goal.

However, the drawback of the system currently in place is that when someone is paroled – or released from the 6-month program – these men usually go back to the city, neighborhood, the environment they lived in prior to their incarceration which puts them in the middle of influences and circumstances that led to them being incarcerated.

The third objective of the Freedom Lake property is to provide a true home environment that allows them to grow in spirit with true spiritual guidance and avoid the “trap houses” that put them on a path to return to the place no one wants them to return – prison.

Freedom Lake will be a refuge in the outside world that surrounds paroled men with good influences, with the proper environment, and with the prospects of potential job training that puts them on a path that does not include re-incarceration. However, Freedom Lake will not be for all of the men. 

The residents of Freedom Lake will be for the hand-selected men who stepped into leadership roles within the discipleship training and who also applied to be in the dorm while incarcerated. There is a strict, purposeful process for those who are committed to growing in their walk with God and want to continue to be disciple makers once paroled.

Freedom Lake will be a place where we can help men continue forming the habits that allow them to grow spiritually with God-led aftercare that is missing in any other environment.

The Movement

Sometimes the word “ministry” is used so often for a variety of God-led initiatives that it becomes so generic as to become meaningless and without impact. So, let’s talk about The Movement.

When I use the word “movement” something specific comes to your mind, right?  Good. Then let me share a bit about a “movement” that the men are a part of that connects them to something bigger than just staying sober, getting a job, and getting back to their families. 

While these things are incredibly important, the most important thing is for these men to grow strong in their personal relationship with Christ by learning the essential discipleship tools of how to deal with convictions, how to share their testimony, how to share the gospel, how to pray for an hour, how to defend the gospel, and how to truly grow as a disciple who multiples. It’s known as a DMM, Disciple Making Movement.

What exactly is the movement we know as DMM?  

DMM is an acronym for Disciple Making Movement and it’s the fastest growing missions strategy in the world right now. 

The easiest way to describe DMM is for you to think of small groups that meet in someone’s home that are mostly led by people who are everyday folks like you and me who have the desire to want to learn more about how to disciple others. This movement acts like the domino effect. 

You start with one group that encourages and trains its members to each start and lead another group and, as the groups continue to multiply, the movement begins to take off. The meetings are simple, requiring almost no resources and, thanks to the internet, the meetings can literally be held and attended all over the world. 

The mindset is very different in a movement.

The success of this movement we’ve witnessed firsthand inside the facility gives us confidence that the Lord is with us and He has just begun to work! As of the date of this article, we have ministered to over 900 men since September 22, 2018, and been blessed to be a part of over 280 baptisms that go to the 5th generation. God is working to radically transform the lives of the men we minister to inside the prison system!!

The proof of concept is already proven. We only need God to show us where He wants Freedom Lake to be built so we can welcome home the men who will be part of their next journey with God – whether that is as disciple makers in ministries here or around the world, or as disciple makers as heads of households in the areas in which they live.

While we were momentarily disappointed by the Freedom Lake property we had initially thought was “the one”, we are encouraged because it provides us with more opportunities to show prison officials, DOC, our community leaders, and our community members that we have proof of concept.

And, as with Shark Tank, once you show proof of concept, you have buy-in from those who you want to partner with to help fund your idea. God has more than shown evidence that proves His method, His model works, no matter where it is shared.

Next month you’ll learn about one of the job training opportunities that will be available to the men who call Freedom Lake home. 

One of the job training opportunities offered at Freedom Lake is how training dogs can teach these men about behavior changes. Plus, because we know nearly everyone loves dogs, they are wonderful conversation starters, which provides socialization opportunities for Freedom Lake residents. Partnering with Freedom Lake is a beneficial way for businesses of all sizes who would be interested in hiring felons a chance to spread awareness of the Disciple Making Movement and to be part of the solution to recidivism.