The LOCK Ministry: Newsletter Issue 13
The LOCK Ministry: Newsletter Issue 13 (7/5/2025)
The LOCK Ministry
POWER OF THE WORD
The P1 Project began in November 2019 with a very simple intention: to provide a small amount of commissary money to inmates who handwrite the Bible. What started with this humble idea has, over time, grown into a powerful and blessed ministry where lives are being transformed through the power of God’s Word. As Hebrews 4:12 declares, “the Word of God is living and active... it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Inside this issue
P1 PROJECT..................................2
Overflowing Gratitude..........................2
Mentor Volunteers.............................2
P1 PROJECT Graduates...........................3
The LOCK Ministry News......................4
Board Meeting............................4
Samuel JDSN Graduation.....................4
Danny's Wedding.......................4
Potter's Hands Project.................5
Embroidery Business.....................5
World Cross Mission.....................6
At first, we paid $1 for every handwritten chapter of the Bible. Some participants began with the Gospel of John, while others started with the Psalms. Our only hope was that they would draw near to God’s Word and become like the blessed person described in Psalm 1—one who meditates on the Word day and night.
As time went on, we encouraged participants not only to write the Scripture but also to include their reflections and personal applications. Through this, many began to encounter the living God in a personal way. The Bible became more than just ink on paper—it became the voice of God piercing hearts and transforming lives. Their stories remind us of people like St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and William Wilberforce, whose lives were forever changed by the power of the Word.
Today, more than 1,400 inmates are actively participating in the P1 Project, representing all 34 California state prisons and six federal facilities. While this remarkable growth is a testimony to God’s blessing, it has also brought new challenges—most urgently, a shortage of volunteer mentors. More than 150 applicants remain on a waiting list, but we lack enough mentors and administrative volunteers to support them effectively.
Although we have financial needs, our greater need is for mentor volunteers—faithful people who are willing to read inmate reflections, correspond by mail, and pray for them.
We also urgently need support volunteers who can come to our office one or two days a week to help manage communications with the mentors.
Yet even in our limitations, God continues to provide abundantly. Over the past six years, we have witnessed countless lives transformed. Men and women once bound by addiction, violence, and hopelessness have found new life in Christ through the Word. They are no longer merely inmates—they are becoming disciples of Jesus.
Still, this is only the beginning. We pray that God will open more doors so that the P1 Project can expand beyond California, into other states and more federal prisons. We long to see more mentors and more prayer partners rise up to join this work.
Let us pray together that “the Word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored” (2 Thessalonians 3:1), and that the Lord will supply everything needed for The LOCK Ministry to continue this mission.
P1 PROJECT
OVERFLOWING GRATITUDE
Since October 2023, Sister Dusty has been faithfully participating in the P1 Project, consistently handwriting the Bible and sending in heartfelt and deeply thoughtful reflections and applications (R&A). Her spiritual growth is evident in every submission. Her pages are always neat and filled with sincere prayers and meaningful insights. As of now, she has completed writing up to the book of Esther, and her genuine reflections leave a deep impression on all who read them.
But Dusty’s story goes far beyond simply copying Scripture. From the very beginning, she has practiced tithing 10% of the earnings she receives from the P1 Project. She mailed in these tithes as checks issued by the United States Treasury, as an expression of her gratitude to God and her heart of obedience. That alone was already precious—but something even more remarkable happened recently.
Over the past month, we received two checks from her—one for $76 and another for $70, totaling $146. The amount exceeded what she could have earned through the P1 Project alone, so we looked into it and discovered that these checks were not from her project earnings. They were, in fact, tithes from her wages earned by working in UNICOR, a federal prison industry program.
UNICOR is known to pay significantly more than the typical wages in California state prison jobs, which usually range from 30 to 60 cents per hour. Despite being incarcerated, Dusty is working diligently and voluntarily sending a tithe from her earnings to support our ministry—not because we asked her to, and not because she was obligated to, but simply because her heart wanted to give to God.
Dusty is the first P1 Project participant to tithe from income earned outside of the project. Over the years, we’ve had a few participants sending offerings or donations after their release, and some have even asked us to deduct their tithe directly from their P1 Project earnings. But Dusty’s case is completely different. Her obedience and the authenticity of her faith go beyond inspiration—they are a deep challenge and encouragement to all of us.
Most of all, her reflections and applications continue to deepen and come alive with every submission. Whenever I read her work, I can sense her sincerity and the presence of God. Dusty’s life is living proof of the transformation that happens when someone receives the Word of God with reverence, and it is also a powerful testimony to how your prayers, support, and mentoring are bearing precious fruit.
But Dusty’s story goes far beyond simply copying Scripture. From the very beginning, she has practiced tithing 10% of the earnings she receives from the P1 Project. She mailed in these tithes as checks issued by the United States Treasury, as an expression of her gratitude to God and her heart of obedience. That alone was already precious—but something even more remarkable happened recently.
Over the past month, we received two checks from her—one for $76 and another for $70, totaling $146. The amount exceeded what she could have earned through the P1 Project alone, so we looked into it and discovered that these checks were not from her project earnings. They were, in fact, tithes from her wages earned by working in UNICOR, a federal prison industry program.
UNICOR is known to pay significantly more than the typical wages in California state prison jobs, which usually range from 30 to 60 cents per hour. Despite being incarcerated, Dusty is working diligently and voluntarily sending a tithe from her earnings to support our ministry—not because we asked her to, and not because she was obligated to, but simply because her heart wanted to give to God.
Dusty is the first P1 Project participant to tithe from income earned outside of the project. Over the years, we’ve had a few participants sending offerings or donations after their release, and some have even asked us to deduct their tithe directly from their P1 Project earnings. But Dusty’s case is completely different. Her obedience and the authenticity of her faith go beyond inspiration—they are a deep challenge and encouragement to all of us.
Most of all, her reflections and applications continue to deepen and come alive with every submission. Whenever I read her work, I can sense her sincerity and the presence of God. Dusty’s life is living proof of the transformation that happens when someone receives the Word of God with reverence, and it is also a powerful testimony to how your prayers, support, and mentoring are bearing precious fruit.
P1 PROJECT
MENTOR VOLUNTEERS
The most essential element for the healthy growth and expansion of the P1 PROJECT is our mentor volunteers. As of now, 51 dedicated mentors are generously giving their time and energy to this ministry. Most start by mentoring just one participant, but as they grow more familiar with the work and as time permits, many go on to mentor four or even five individuals at once.
One area where we face a significant challenge is in mentoring Spanish-speaking participants. We are incredibly grateful to Elder Pablo Kim, who is currently mentoring more than 10 Spanish-speaking P1 PROJECT participants all by himself. Only those who have served as mentors while working full-time jobs can truly understand how demanding this role can be. And yet, our mentors continue to serve with joy and commitment. We offer our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to each of you.
Recently, a new wave of encouragement has come from Church of Southland. Originally based in Anaheim, this church planted a new campus in Chino about two and a half years ago, and by God’s special grace, they are experiencing tremendous revival and growth. Deeply committed to missions and serving the marginalized, Church of Southland has recently shown great interest in the P1 PROJECT. As a result, we were able to hold two mentor training sessions, and six members joined as new mentors.
Including those from Church of Southland, we are delighted to introduce the new mentor volunteers who joined us over the past six months: Jason Brown, Jennifer Chuang, Aimee Han, Leslie Kang, Semin Kim, Jessy Lee, Alice Pyo, Rev. Seong Jin Park, and Susan Turner. Your faithful service is bearing tangible fruit, as lives are being transformed through the power of God’s Word.
Thank you for being part of this beautiful work.
P1 PROJECT GRADUATES
In January, Sister Jennifer became the 14th graduate of the P1 PROJECT. She is 42 years old and was recently released from the federal prison in Aliceville, Alabama. She will remain in a residential reentry center until July, when she will fully reenter society.
On May 10, Jennifer visited our office and spent a joyful time with us celebrating her graduation and release. She now has a job, goes to work daily, and has purchased a car—living a life not much different from any ordinary citizen.
Jennifer holds a special place in P1 PROJECT history. She began writing Scripture in February 2021 while at the federal detention center in Santa Ana. Although P1 PROJECT was not permitted in jails at this time, her commitment and consistency allowed her to continue after her transfer to federal prison.
She became the first female federal inmate to both participate in and complete the P1 PROJECT. Even more remarkable, 167 female inmates have joined the P1 PROJECT through Jennifer’s influence. Today, participants are writing Scripture in six federal women’s prisons across the country. We look forward to the day Jennifer serves as a mentor herself.
In the past six months, five new graduates have completed the program: #14 Jennifer, #15 Thomas Norton, #16 Benjamin Shettell, #17 Beau Glave, and #18 Gabriel Bradway. Jennifer, Thomas, and Benjamin have already been released from prison. Beau is expected to be released in November of this year. Gabriel, however, is serving life without parole (LWOP). He entered prison in 2001 at age 29 and has now served 24 years.
Once a builder caught in addiction to alcohol and drugs, he now lives a transformed life in Christ. He says prison became a blessing because it was there he met Jesus and discovered God’s plan for his life through the P1 PROJECT.
We sincerely thank the mentors who walked alongside these graduates: Sydney KSN, Samuel Choi JDSN, Pastor David Park, Pastor Key Han, and Brother Chad Kurashige. Special thanks also go to those who supported the program financially: Deacon Yongshin Cho, Deacon Jaekwon Kim & Youngah Lee JDSN, Sydney KSN & Deacon Kenny.
tHE lock mINISTRY nEWS
board meeting
On April 26, The LOCK Ministry held its regular Board of Directors meeting. During this important gathering, we reviewed our ministry and financial reports for 2024, and had the special privilege of welcoming a new board member.
We are pleased to introduce Pastor Charles Yi, who has joined the board this year. Pastor Charles has long been committed to expanding God’s Kingdom through his work in the business world. Since 1989, he has successfully led numerous real estate development projects both domestically and internationally. He currently serves as the CEO of EXP Development, a real estate development firm, and also leads a nonprofit organization called Relaunch Church & Land. Pastor Charles prefers the term “BIM (Business is Mission)” over the more commonly used “BAM (Business As Mission),” and his life and work philosophy truly reflect that belief—he lives out the mission of God through business itself. We are confident that his wealth of experience and leadership will bring fresh direction to the Potter’s Hands Project, and play a significant role in the ongoing growth and expansion of The LOCK Ministry.
SAMUEL CHOI JDSN’S GRADUATION
On June 13, Sam JDSN received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Bethesda University. Since September 10, 2023, he has been serving as a full-time volunteer at The LOCK Ministry office, mentoring over 30 P1 PROJECT participants to date.
Over the past two years, he has faithfully walked with some of the most marginalized and hurting individuals in prison—sharing the love and hope of Christ through the Word. Now, fully equipped as a minister of the gospel, we pray that God will lead him into the next season of fruitful ministry.
DANNY’S WEDDING
Brother Danny, who has been a faithful member of the LOCK Community and a partner in ministry since 2018, was married on March 7.
He currently works online managing cargo operations for merchant ships traveling to and from the port of Montreal, Canada. Together with his wife, he has established a new home in Chino Hills, grounded in the gospel. We pray that God’s abundant grace and blessing will continually fill their lives and home.
POTTER’S HANDS PROJECT
However, after four years of operation, we have encountered several practical limitations and challenges:
•Labor costs continue regardless of sales volume, making sustainability difficult during slow periods.
•Due to the technical nature of the work, we are limited to training no more than two individuals at a time, which restricts broader impact.
•The DTG printer requires regular use; if not operated for several days, the ink hardens, often requiring costly print head replacements. Without steady orders, the business quickly becomes a financial loss.
For these reasons, the Potter’s Hands Project has decided to close its T-shirt printing operation as of May 2025. We will continue the embroidery business on a smaller scale, offering training within a manageable capacity.
For the past several years, The LOCK Ministry has operated the Potter’s Hands Project as a vocational training initiative through computerized embroidery and T-shirt printing businesses. The project is designed to equip formerly incarcerated individuals or those recovering from addiction — especially those with limited technical skills—with hands-on training that can lead to future self-sufficiency.
In February 2021, we launched our embroidery business using a Ricoma MT1502 machine, and in early 2022, we added a Direct-To-Garment (DTG) T-shirt printing business using an Epson F2100 printer.
The program operated on a model where trainees received paid, full-time training, which meant that even when orders were low, fixed labor costs remained a financial burden. Nevertheless, we were able to train multiple individuals through customer orders and, more importantly, share the love of Christ and witness genuine life transformation during the process.
EMBROIDERY BUSINESS
One of our key embroidery clients has been LA Insurance, headquartered in Houston, Texas, who has partnered with us since we launched our embroidery business in 2021. All uniforms for their staff and managers have been produced by our team. Most recently, we fulfilled an order of 220 uniforms, which was successfully delivered on June 4, 2025.
WORLD CROSS MISSION
Located in Yeoju, South Korea, the World Cross Mission is a Christian rehabilitation community that ministers to individuals struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, and homelessness, helping them rebuild their lives through the love and power of Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1989 by Pastor Ilkwon Ahn, the center has helped countless individuals experience freedom and restoration through Christ over the past few decades. Notably, the ministry has raised and sent out more than 35 pastors and missionaries over the past 35 years.
According to current U.S. immigration law, non-citizens who receive a sentence of one year or more are subject to mandatory deportation after completing their prison term. Each year, many individuals are deported to South Korea, but after spending much of their lives in the U.S., many face tremendous difficulty adjusting and settling into Korean society.
In April of this year, Brother Y was deported to Korea. Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, he was greeted by members of the World Cross Mission, where he is now staying, receiving spiritual formation and rehabilitation.
We first visited the center in 2019, beginning our relationship with Pastor Ahn and his ministry team. Since then, several brothers deported to Korea have received critical support and care through the Mission, helping them restart their lives with dignity and hope. Brother Y, who had no family or connections in Korea, was also able to receive a warm welcome and meaningful guidance for resettlement, thanks to the Mission's faithful ministry.
On June 1, we had the joy of reconnecting with Pastor Ahn during his visit to the U.S., as he shared a powerful testimony sermon at Southern California Fellowship Church in Pomona. It was a time of deep encouragement and fellowship. Please continue to pray for our ongoing partnership with the World Cross Mission Center, as we work together to bring healing, restoration, and hope to the broken..
Prayer Requests
1. That enough volunteer mentors may be raised up for the P1 PROJECT.
2. That many volunteers may be raised up to support the P1 PROJECT mentors.
3. That the P1 PROJECT Fund may be abundantly filled.
4. That many participants’ lives may be transformed through God’s divine intervention.
5. That we may discover a new direction for the Potter’s Hands Project.
6. That we may secure a Potter’s House.
The LOCK Ministry
2903 Saturn Street, Unit B
Brea, CA 92822
P.O. Box 9693
Brea, CA 92822
(657) 275-9070
thelockministry@gmail.com
www.thelockministry.org
www.pottershandsproject.com
