January 2026 Newsletter
Verse of the Month
“They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.”
~Jeremiah 1:19 (NLT)
Greetings!
As I reflect on December, I’m overwhelmed by God’s goodness.
On October 22nd, a friend from another prison ministry called me to chat (Paula Jauch, yes, another Paula!). This was going to be a simple conversation of encouragement. It became so much more. Paula was going to Texas in December on a prison tour, to speak at six prisons in three days. She stopped mid-sentence and said, “Would you like to go with me?” Without hesitating, I said YES!
We flew out of Grand Rapids together on December 6th and met nine other volunteers in Austin. I was there (along with other volunteers) to offer prayer at the prisons with those who came forward at the end of Paula’s message. I had such a hard time putting into words the impact praying with those inmates had on me! When I arrived home, I wrote down how I felt as I prayed with one woman in particular. These are the only words I had to explain it:
“Three days, six prisons in Texas. I am forever grateful. As I prayed with this woman, her tears kept dropping down onto my hand. I felt her pain with each drop that touched me; each tear heavier than the last. It was then that I realized Jesus feels my tears in the same way. Each tear releases pain. Pain that only God can heal. This woman was healed as those tears fell. Life-changing tears.”
Paula kindly allowed me to offer our Cards For Prisoners program to the inmates at the end of each service. This has resulted in many letters from men and women sharing their stories and asking for a pen pal.
I’m so thankful Paula stepped out in faith, asking me to join her team for this trip.
If you would like more information Paula Jauch’s ministry Walking Into Freedom with Paula Jauch, visit her website at https://paulajauch.com/
With a thankful heart,
Paula Creswell
Executive Director
Tangible Hope Ministries
Video: Walking Into Freedom prison tour with Paula Jauch
Living Forward with Tangible Hope
Our Living Forward classes for 2025 wrapped up with a Christmas party on December 23rd. Eighteen returned citizens joined us for our last cohort of the year. The class has grown substantially since we began in September!
We celebrated powerful wins with our participants, including job interviews and placements, gratitude expressed, and forgiveness pursued by writing notes to people in our past, financial growth, and new beginnings. The morning was filled with laughter, pizza, fun games with prizes, and thoughtful conversations about what to leave behind and what to take going forward. And of course, our graduation celebration, complete with diplomas and gift bags donated by Tangible Hope Churches!
Your partnership makes Living Forward possible. Click the link below to donate and help create pathways to hope, healing, and new beginnings.
Tangible Hope Ministries would like to extend our sincere thanks to Crossroads Bible Church for being one of our supporting partners. Crossroads supports Tangible Hope Ministries by generously allowing us to use space in their facility to teach our Living Forward program.
Crossroads Bible Church is located at 800 Scribner NW in downtown Grand Rapids.
Use the link to discover more about Crossroads Bible Church.
Your congregation can join us and become a Tangible Hope Church —walking alongside those often neglected and forgotten in our society. E-mail paulac@tangiblehopeministries.org for information on how your church can become involved.
pen pals on the inside
“Thank you for all the cards and standing with me in my dark days and helping me see the good in things.”
-Fredrick, Inmate at Handlon CF 12/18/25
women on the inside requesting pen pals!
Rarely have we had female inmates on our pen pal list. We have several available now if you are a woman and would prefer to correspond with a woman.
Tangible Hope Ministries Mission:
Motivated by the teachings of Jesus, Tangible Hope Ministries endeavors to show unconditional love to people overlooked by society, to inspire hope, dignity, and a path to restoration with family and community.
Tangible Hope Ministries Vision:
Tangible Hope Ministries envisions a world where no life is defined by its darkest moment. We partner with local churches and organizations to offer second chances, build community, and share the power of tangible hope.
