The LOCK Ministry: Newsletter Issue 15
The LOCK Ministry: Newsletter Issue 15 (July 2026)
The LOCK Ministry
One Person, One Soul at a Time
Seven years ago, when we launched the P1 PROJECT, we had no idea what God would do through it.
We simply believed one thing: if men and women in prison would spend time personally copying Scripture by hand, reflecting on God's Word, and applying it to their daily lives, God would accomplish His purposes through His Word.
Today, we are witnessing that transformation again and again. Recently, we produced a new video introducing the P1 PROJECT. Featured in the video are Duane and Dusty, two individuals whose lives have taken very different paths. Yet they share one remarkable accomplishment: both completed one of the most challenging journeys offered through the P1 PROJECT.
They hand-copied all 66 books of the Bible—a total of 1,189 chapters—and wrote personal Reflections and Applications throughout the process. To date, 26 participants have completed this journey.
Their accomplishment represents far more than perseverance. It is evidence of thousands of hours spent in the presence of God's Word. Day after day, chapter after chapter, they read, wrote, reflected, and allowed Scripture to shape their hearts and minds.
Inside this issue
P1 PROJECT ................................ 2
Mature Gratitude ....................... 2
P1 PROJECT Graduates ............... 3
P1 PROJECT Funds ...................... 3
P1 PROJECT Mentors .................. 3
Jail and Prison Visits ................... 4
The LOCK Ministry Update ......... 4
Retreat ....................................... 4
Board Meeting............................ 5
Potter’s Hands Project ................ 5
Potter’s House ............................ 6
For many people, prison is a place where hope disappears. For us, it has become a place where we repeatedly witness the transforming grace of God.
Every week we receive letters from participants. They tell us they are learning to forgive. They share stories of broken relationships being restored. They speak of overcoming addiction, discovering purpose, and growing in their faith. These changes do not happen overnight, nor are they perfect. Yet as participants continue writing God's Word one page at a time, God continues His work in their lives.
The stories of Duane and Dusty are not exceptions. They are simply two examples of what God is doing through more than 1,600 active participants currently studying and writing Scripture in correctional facilities across the nation.
As you read this newsletter, you will encounter stories of transformed lives, faithful mentors, and the vision God continues to unfold before us. Most importantly, you will see evidence that God's Word is still accomplishing exactly what He promised it would do. "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Thank you for partnering with The LOCK Ministry. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support help bring God's Word to people who are often forgotten by society.
One person at a time.
One soul at a time.
One transformed life at a time.
P1 PROJECT
Mature Gratitude
Sister Heather is a 51-year-old partici-pant currently incarcerated at the Federal Correc-tional Institution in Waseca, Minnesota. She began the P1 PROJECT in January of this year and has already completed the Book of 2 Corinthians. Mrs. Yong of Glory Church of Jesus Christ serves as her mentor.
For participants in federal prisons, we typically send rewards through U.S. Postal Service money orders. When Heather completed the Gospel of Matthew, we sent her the standard reward of $48, which includes the starting bonus.
A few days later, we experienced something unexpected. We received a check from Heather for $100.
Many P1 PROJECT participants tell us that financial rewards are not their primary motivation for joining the program. Nevertheless, for many incarcerated men and women, the financial rewards are still a meaningful incentive. It is not uncommon for participants to ask that 10% of their reward be donated back to the ministry as a tithe.
Heather did something different.
After receiving $48, she sent back $100 as an expression of gratitude.
What makes this gift especially meaningful is that Heather is not financially comfortable. She earned that money while working in UNICOR, the federal prison work program, where many inmates earn less than one dollar per hour.
Her gift reminded us that the true value of the P1 PROJECT is not found in the financial reward, but in the transforming power of God's Word. Heather clearly treasures the spiritual growth and encouragement she has received through Scripture far more than any monetary benefit.
More valuable than the amount itself was the grateful heart behind it.
Heather did something different.
After receiving $48, she sent back $100 as an expression of gratitude.
What makes this gift especially meaningful is that Heather is not financially comfortable. She earned that money while working in UNICOR, the federal prison work program, where many inmates earn less than one dollar per hour.
Her gift reminded us that the true value of the P1 PROJECT is not found in the financial reward, but in the transforming power of God's Word. Heather clearly treasures the spiritual growth and encouragement she has received through Scripture far more than any monetary benefit. More valuable than the amount itself was the grateful heart behind it.
The following excerpt comes from a recent letter Heather sent to us: "It's Memorial Day weekend. In prison, holiday meals are amazing. With that said, I'm looking forward to an exceptional meal tomorrow. Will you be spending the day with family? As the years pass, I cherish some memories of family BBQs. At this point, it's more the days of being with them than it is a specific setting or memory that I long for. So many years have passed. My entire family dynamic has changed. I was 32 when I came to prison. My daughter was 13. She will be 32 next month. I have three grandsons. My Dad passed away. My Mom has a boyfriend and mild dementia. I am not the same person I was in 2007, and neither are they. Nothing will be the same except the love I have for my family. But even that has improved with Christ in my life. Today I am grateful for good food, friends, faith, and your ministry. God bless you this Memorial Day weekend.
Your Sister in Christ,
Heather"
Heather's gift was deeply appreciated, but even more encouraging was the evidence of God's work in her life. Her letter reflects a heart shaped by gratitude, faith, and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Stories like Heather's remind us why the P1 PROJECT exists—not simply to help people copy Scripture, but to help them encounter the God who changes lives through His Word.
P1 PROJECT GRADUATES
As of June 2026, more than 1,600 participants have enrolled in the P1 PROJECT. The program is now active in all 31 California State Prisons and in 12 Federal Women's Prisons across the United States. Female participation continues to grow rapidly, with more than 260 women currently enrolled.
During the past six months, five additional participants completed the entire P1 PROJECT, bringing the total number of graduates to 26. Completing the program requires hand-copying all 66 books of the Bible (1,189 chapters) and submitting Reflections and Applications throughout the journey.
Graduate #22 – Maurillo Gonzalez
Maurillo became the second participant to complete the entire P1 PROJECT in Spanish. Mentored by Ariel Song and sponsored by Pastor Peter Choi and Mrs. Choi, he hopes to return to Mexico after his release in 2028, pursue medical training, and share the Gospel with others.
Graduate #23 – Ryan Gyurkovitz
Ryan faithfully persevered for two and a half years to complete the P1 PROJECT. He was mentored by Hyunhee Jun and sponsored by Pastor Samuel Choi. His journey is a testimony to endurance and spiritual growth.
Graduate #24 – Spencer Purdy
Spencer is currently incarcerated at Valley State Prison and is scheduled for release this September. Raised as the son of a Presbyterian pastor, he later struggled with addiction and lost many years of his life. Today, he is preparing for a new beginning and is actively participating in P1 PROJECT Prime. He was mentored by Pastor Key Han and sponsored by Dr. Jinyoon Cho.
Graduate #25 – Bennie Williams
Bennie completed the P1 PROJECT in just eighteen months. He was mentored by Pastor Key Han and sponsored by Pastor Samuel Choi.
Graduate #26 – Robert Lee
Robert completed the P1 PROJECT in one year and eight months. He was mentored by Pastor Key Han and sponsored by Chris Han.
P1 PROJECT FUNDS
The average cost of helping one participant complete the P1 PROJECT is $1,339, including Scripture-copying rewards and completion bonuses. Through the P1 PRO-JECT Fund, a contribution of $1,200 covers most of that cost. To date, 84 P1 PRO-JECT Fund accounts have been established—an increase of 17 during the past six months. We are deeply grateful for every donor who partners with us in this ministry.
P1 PROJECT MENTORS
Mentors remain one of the most important parts of the P1 PROJECT. God's love is often communicated through caring relationships. After much prayer, the Lord has provided a growing number of volunteers. We now have 77 active mentors, an increase of 16 over the past six months. We thank God for each one of them.
The LOCK Ministry News
JAIL AND PRISON VISITS
Brother K
Two months after our first meeting, we had the opportunity to visit Brother K again at the Orange County TLF Jail.
Although he continues to face significant challenges, we noticed something different in his eyes—a sense of hope that was not there before. Brother K is incarcerated because of alcohol- and drug-related offenses and continues to struggle with withdrawal symptoms and depression. Yet during our previous visit, he acknowledged his mistakes, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and expressed a desire to change the direction of his life.
I still remember placing my hand against the glass and hearing him say, "When I get out, I'm going to church."
During this visit, we talked about his upcoming release in July and the importance of building a different future. We reflected on how old habits had damaged his life and discussed practical steps he could take to avoid returning to the same path.
Together, we read 1 John 2:17 and talked about living with an eternal perspective.
Brother K shared an interest in construction and architectural design. We encouraged him to develop the gifts God has given him and begin preparing for a new chapter in life. We also promised to reconnect after his release to continue discussing both his career goals and his faith journey.
Please pray that God will strengthen Brother K and help him build a new life in Christ.
Brother P
At the Orange County CMJ Jail, we met Brother P, a 57-year-old inmate who came to the United States at a young age and has spent most of his life here.
He shared openly about decades of addiction and criminal activity. The loss of his wife and daughter more than ten years ago left deep wounds that contributed to years of despair and destructive choices.
Yet during our visit, we saw signs of spiritual hunger.
Brother P had been reading the Bible and specifically requested an English Bible so he could continue studying God's Word. As we discussed the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, he responded to the Gospel and expressed a desire to place his faith in Christ.
Soon he will be transferred to another correctional facility. Before leaving, he promised to continue reading Scripture and growing in his faith.
One statement from our conversation stood out: "Just knowing that someone came to visit me and pray for me means a lot."
Please pray that God will heal the wounds of his past and restore the years that have been lost.
RETREAT
Each year our ministry team sets aside time to step away from daily responsibilities and spend several days together in fellowship, prayer, and spiritual renewal. For many years we rented homes in the mountains for our annual retreat. Beginning last year, however, we started using a four-day cruise departing from Long Beach as a retreat setting.
One unexpected advantage is that meals, lodging, and logistics are all handled for us, allowing our team to focus entirely on fellowship, discussion, and spiritual growth.
During this year's retreat, we spent time using “Living Life” for personal devotions and group discussions. Team members shared insights from Scripture and discussed practical ways to apply God's Word in everyday life.
The retreat was especially meaningful because encouraging others to meditate on Scripture and apply it to their lives is at the very heart of the P1 PROJECT. As we practiced those same disciplines ourselves, we were reminded of the joy and transformation that God's Word brings. It was a refreshing reminder that God's Word is not only changing the lives of those we serve—it is also continuing to change us.
Board Meeting
On May 23, 2026, The LOCK Ministry held its Annual Board Meeting at our office in Brea, California. Board members, ministry volunteers, and several special guests gathered to celebrate what God has done during the past year and to seek His direction for the future.
The meeting began with worship and prayer, followed by a devotional message from Board Chairman Pastor Seung Hee Ko based on Jeremiah 18:1–6, titled "From a Broken Vessel to a Vessel of Honor." His message reminded us that God continues to reshape broken lives for His glory—the very heart of The LOCK Ministry.
After approving the previous meeting's minutes, the board viewed our newly produced P1 PROJECT introduction video. We also reviewed ministry reports and financial updates, giving thanks to Jehovah Jireh for faithfully providing the people, resources, and financial support needed throughout the past eight years.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of a new ministry vision by Pastor Charles Yi and Jayson Shone. They shared the possibility of partnering in rebuilding communities damaged by the recent Los Angeles wildfires while creating opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Their vision includes the Benjamin Trade School, where participants would receive vocational training in the construction trades, along with Potter's House, a Christ-centered residential community where they could continue growing spiritually while preparing for independent living.
This vision is about much more than job training. It is about restoring lives, rebuilding hope, and helping men and women become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ while preparing them to become productive members of society.
The meeting concluded with prayer, fellowship, and a shared meal. We left encouraged and grateful for God's faithfulness in the past and excited to see how He will continue leading The LOCK Ministry in the days ahead.
Potter’s Hands Project
The Potter's Hands Project was launched to provide vocational training and new opportunities for men and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Over the past several years, we have explored several business ventures, including computerized embroidery and garment printing, as practical ways to create meaningful employment.
Recently, we completed an order to embroider 160 uniforms for LA Insurance. Although we are not actively expanding this business at the present time, the project served as another reminder that God continues to open doors in His own time and in His own way.
One of the greatest lessons we have learned through the P1 PROJECT over the past seven years is that God's work unfolds according to His timing, not ours.
When we first launched the P1 PROJECT, we could never have imagined what it would become today. Yet step by step, God faithfully provided the people, financial resources, and opportunities needed for the ministry to grow.
That same lesson encourages us as we look toward the future.
During this year's Board Meeting, we shared a more developed vision for Potter's House—a ministry that would provide safe housing, vocational training, and, above all, discipleship for formerly incarcerated individuals. Our desire is not simply to prepare people for a job, but to help restore lives through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Exactly how the Potter's Hands Project will develop remains to be seen. It may involve construction, another business venture, or a completely unexpected opportunity that God has yet to reveal. Our focus is not on building a business, but on faithfully serving the people God has entrusted to us.
Just as a potter shapes clay into a beautiful vessel, God continues to restore broken lives and give people a new purpose. As we wait for Him to open the next door, we pray that the Potter's Hands Project will become another instrument through which His restoring hands bring hope, dignity, and new life.
Potter’s House
For many years, The LOCK Ministry has carried a vision we call Potter's House—a Christ-centered community where formerly incarcerated men and women can rebuild their lives, strengthen their faith, and prepare for a successful return to society.
Over the years, we have envisioned two possible models. One is Potter's House-Rural, designed for those needing intensive recovery from addiction in a quiet, structured environment. The other is Potter's House-Urban, where residents can receive vocational training, maintain employment, and gradually transition back into everyday life. At this time, we are prayerfully exploring the Urban model.
During this year's Board Meeting, Pastor Charles Yi introduced a new possibility. The devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area have created an enormous need for rebuilding homes and communities, and with that comes a growing demand for skilled construction workers.
This vision includes the Benjamin Trade School, where formerly incarcerated individuals would receive hands-on training in the construction trades while preparing for meaningful employment. At the same time, Potter's House would provide much more than housing. It would be a place of discipleship, accountability, and Christian community—a place where lives are rebuilt from the inside out. Yet the most important question is not how to build Potter's House. The most important question is: Who is ready to live in Potter's House?
We believe much of the answer has already been unfolding through the P1 PROJECT.
For the past eight years, we have watched hundreds of participants faithfully copy Scripture, meditate on God's Word, and apply it to their daily lives. Through that process, we have seen who is teachable, who perseveres, who sincerely desires to change, and who is allowing God to transform his or her life.
The P1 PROJECT is far more than a Bible-copying program. In many ways, it is a preparation process. If God opens the door for Potter's House, we can envision graduates of the P1 PROJECT continuing their journey there—receiving discipleship, learning vocational skills through the Benjamin Trade School, securing meaningful employment, and beginning a new chapter of life rooted in Christ.
Many details remain unknown. But over the past eight years, one lesson has become unmistakably clear:
God prepares people before He reveals the plan.
When we launched the P1 PROJECT, we had no idea what it would become. Yet, one person at a time and one soul at a time, God faithfully transformed lives and brought the ministry to where it is today.
We believe He will do the same with Potter's House.
In His perfect time.
In His perfect way.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1)
Prayer Requests
1. God's transforming work in the lives of every P1 PROJECT participant.
2. More volunteers to serve as P1 PROJECT mentors.
3. More volunteers to support and encourage our mentors.
4. Continued provision for the P1 PROJECT Fund.
5. Wisdom and direction for the future of the Potter's Hands Project.
6. God's perfect timing and provision to establish 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
