OCTOBER 2026 News

Newsletters

VERSE OF THE MONTH

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” ~Isaiah 61:1 NIV

Paula’s Perspective

Greetings,

I love stories! Telling and hearing them. Hang around me for a while, and you’ll likely hear one of mine!

We all have a different life story. Past, present, and future.

So often we look at a person and see only their past. Maybe it is a mistake they made, a series of choices that brought them to where they are today, a prison sentence they served. That is only part of their story.

God sees the whole story. He sees what we can’t see in others. The struggles, the disappointments, the circumstances, the people who have failed them, and also the hope, potential, and future that still exists.

This is one of the many reasons I love our Living Forward program. We don’t want people to believe they are forever defined by what happened in the past. We want to walk alongside them as they discover what it means to move forward with purpose, and give them tangible hope.

I recently told a man in our class that I believe in him. That he has potential and a purpose, that I see greatness in him, and that I really believe God has a plan for him. He wept! Through his tears, he told me no one has ever said that to him.

As I listened to his story, I was reminded once again that we should never assume we know the whole story by looking at someone’s past.

A conversation. A meal. A job interview. A new friend. A second chance. Someone saying, “You can do this.” That may be all it takes to put a speck of hope in someone. To let them know they matter.

There is always more to the story.

In humbleness,

Paula Creswell
Executive Director
Tangible Hope Ministries

Click here to DONATE
Paula and Troy with a Living Forward Reentry Graduate (face blurred)

Living Forward Reentry
Called. Led. Walking in Victory.

Behind every person who walks through the doors of Living Forward is a story, a past, and the hope for a different future. We are honored to walk alongside our participants as they take those next steps.

One of our graduates recently shared this about his experience:

“Good morning, Mrs. Paula! I’m from the Living Forward class. I just wanted to give you a personalized thank you for all that you do and for all the hours you put into making this program a huge success. I know it’s helped me a lot, and I now have the tools to succeed, and I just want you, Troy, and Lil to know you guys have given me a new hope and a lease on life that I thought I’d never have again. So once again, thank you!”

Church Spotlight: The Local Church

Tangible Hope Ministries would like to extend a huge thank you to The Local Church GR for having 51 faithful pen pals who have been writing to inmates through Cards For Prisoners for the past 3+ years!!

TLC is a casual church focused on building community and relationships with Jesus. No need to dress up, unless you want to!

They typically have a pretty modern worship set. It can get loud! It’s always full of passion, and it’s always for the Lord. You’ll hear a teaching from the Scripture that is authentic, relevant, and challenging. TLC wants to push you closer to God and closer to your community.

Join us as we visit TLC on Sunday, October 18th. You will have the opportunity to hear great preaching, experience the love of believers, and visit with our team at our table in the lobby.

THE LOCAL CHURCH

Services are on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m.
1300 E. Beltline Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI
https://localchurchgr.org/

THANK YOU!
(Whomever you are!)

I want to thank everyone who has helped us fill more Living Forward “Bags of Hope.”

Since our last newsletter, many Amazon packages have arrived without a name attached. So, to those mystery donors—thank you! I wish I knew who you were so I could thank you personally!

Every item donated goes directly toward helping someone who is working hard to rebuild their life after incarceration. These may seem like simple, everyday items, but to someone starting over, they can be a reminder that someone cares, someone believes in them, and they are not walking this journey alone.

We are still in need of items to fill our Bags of Hope for November and December, so if you feel led to help, our Amazon Wish List is still available and updated to reflect our current needs.

AMAZON WISH LIST

PEN PAL PALOOZA

Bring a roll of stamps to be entered into our grand prize drawing

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026

Mars Hill Bible Church
3500 Fairlanes Avenue SW, Grandville, MI

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Snacks & beverages provided by Mars Hill

  • Stop in and leave at your convenience
  • 1,500 holiday cards will be available to be written and addressed to men and women in prison throughout the country!
  • Special guest speaker at noon – you don’t want to miss this!
  • Trivia and prizes every hour
  • Food, fun, and fellowship!
Tangible Hope Ministries / Cards for Prisoners Pen Palooza sign, decorated with yard light style lights

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.

Tangible Hope Ministries | P.O. Box 413 | Grandville, MI 49468 US

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