August 25th Event in Fort WorthJoin us Saturday, August 25th to share your faith with 50 troubled youth. Times are 9 am to 3 pm and all materials are provided. Confirm by email to donsmarto@gmail.com
A Man of FaithRemembering Charles Colson
We first met in Chicago in 1980 when I was a Volunteer Coordinator for Prison Fellowship in DuPage County, Illinois (outside Chicago) I shared a story he never forgot and reminded me about for the next 30 years. I told him I was a Democratic Precinct Captain during Watergatis response: "Did you repent of your sin?" was an ongoing satire. When I supported Reagan, years later, he told me "This is proof of redemption!" It was more than humor as I came to believe his conversation was genuine. Mr. Colson was the most reflective and intelligent Christian I have ever known. I imagine his conversations with C.S. Lewis and William Wilberforce in heaven. As the founding director of the Institute of Prison Ministries in 1983, I met with Chuck formulating how this institute would help ministries. The first two years, we met 12 times (half with Ken Wessner, Chairman of the PF Board). My meetings began in the first warehouse headquarters, then the building beside the mansion, and eventually the current building. Mr. Colson was the Keynote speaker at two national conferences at Wheaton College in 1986 and 1991. I had the privilege of introducing him and hosting the conferences about prison ministry. I was honored to have Charles Colson endorse six of my books. In Justice & Mercy, I said "Mr. Colson elevated prison ministry in America from step-child to respectable among the White, Middle-Class". I was with Mr. Colson in London, Milan, and Nairobi. In Africa, I attended morning devotions with Chuck, Patti, and Cardinal Sin of Manila for a week. Our meetings increased when we created the Colson Scholarship for Ex-Offenders. As the first director, I had the privilege of hearing from him, these words: "I don't want a statue or my name on a building, but a living monument- changed lives!" Each year for 11 years we had a lunch for him and a group photo with the scholars. For 15 years, I attended the National Prayer Breakfast and Chuck would ask for a program update in the hotel. Our meetings were usually in hotel suites to avoid interruptions. Mr. Colson let me know strongly if he disagreed with one of my ideas. Over the years, I got better at "reading his mind" and we worked in harmony. I was with him at the University of Chicago when he received the Templeton Award and escorted him out a side door and across a street to a reception. His comments to me demonstrated his humble spirit. He opened a national prisoner art exhibit at the Billy Graham Center and opened a massive lock and chain around the pillars in 1986. We shared a private humorous event the crowd never knew about. He had a great sense of humor. We laughed about that moment for years. Mr. Colson expressed an interest in my years in a monastery and we often talked about the value of contemplation. As his friends knew, he would discuss many topics, not just prison ministry. One time when speaking in a Dallas hotel ballroom, he spotted me and said some gracious things about me to the crowd. I was most moved by his book Loving God. His message to believers was clear: You can love the church, love ministry, and love being religious but still not love God. He had a great gift as a thinker, was well read, and was perhaps one of the most intelligent leaders of a Christian ministry in recent times. A few times, we talked about the works of Augustine; City of Faith and Confessions. He knew them well. I had the honor of interviewing him for a Chicago television program (In Defense of Justice). My last question was "How do you want to be remembered?" After a short pause, he replied "As a faithful follower of Jesus Christ." He did not mention his Marine Corp. service, White House years, books, or honors. (That interview is in the Archives at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton) He was a man of deep faith. Don to Speak at Dallas Camera Club
He will show and talk about his award winning photos. The meeting will be at Parker College at 7pm. Don To Speak in Colorado
The repeat invitations are encouraging. Don to Speak at DBA Lunch
The noon meeting will be at Lakeside Baptist Church in Dallas. Mart II June 25th DIRECTIONS: Take I 35 South from the Dallas
area to Waco. Turn left onto Us-84 toward Corsicana for 12 miles.
Turn right onto FM 939 for 7 miles. Turn right onto E. Cowan Street
and right onto W. Burleson. The facility address is 116 W. Burleson
Rd., Mart, Texas 76664. Phone 254-297-8200 • Fax 254-297-8392. Don to Speak at Dallas School Don will give a presentation called Overcoming Obstacles
at the
Don to Speak in Pennsylvania For ten days, Don will be speaking in churches,
drug programs, prisons,
March 19th - Gainesville Facility Fifty volunteers are needed for evangelism at the TYC Texas State Facility for Boys at Gainesville. This Saturday event begins with the arrival of volunteers at 9am and a program at 10am in the chapel featuring Lamont Levels, music, and a testimony followed by lunch and sharing in the cottages. Departure at 3:30 pm. Gainesville is located at 1379 FM 678 north of Dallas (75 miles) off Interstate 35. Take the Main Street exit into downtown Gainesville and continue east to facility.
Don to Speak in Florida Don will speak in several juvenile
facilities January 26th - January29th
Don to Speak at Ft. Worth School Don will give two Creative Writing Seminars February
16th at the
Don to Speak at Dallas Baptist University Don will present a new PowerPoint Talk called Restoring
Humanity to
December 4th McFadden Ranch Join us Saturday, December 4th as we share with 50 boys at the TYC facility McFadden Ranch in Roanoke, Texas (west of Grapevine and Southlake) Volunteers should arrive at 9am. There is a 10am program, lunch, and time to share one on one. We will leave at 3pm. Please confirm by December 1st. First time volunteers must fill out application (download from this web) and send no later than November 29th. Training is required and will be at The Oaks Baptist Church on December 2nd at 7pm. Don to Speak at Men's Conference On November 6th, Don will speak at the 20-Ten Men's Conference at Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville. This year's conference theme is Being the Whole Man of God based on Romans 12. Don will explore how the world uses marketing and advertising to convert wants into needs and how the devil's schemes require vigilance, prayer, and accountability. Don To Speak at Dallas Theological Seminary
Don to Preach at Baptist Church Don will speak at the combined services at the Dallas church Primera Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida (New Life) on October 31, 2010 at 10am. It is a bilingual service with an interpreter for those who only speak Spanish. Don's topic will be Thirty-Two Years Working With Troubled Youth (Anos Trabajando con Delincuentes). All are welcome. Don to Speak in Lubbock Schools Due to the popularity of Don's new book, he will present Photography and Creative Writing Seminars in Middle Schools and High Schools in Lubbock, Texas on October 27th. Don has spoken in Lubbock schools for five consecutive years with enthusiastic responses from students and from teachers.
Don will be the speaker Sunday, November 14th at the 10:30 am service at the Stults Baptist Church in Dallas. He will talk about the power of God to change even the worst criminal heart and transform "lost sheep" into disciples of Christ, All are welcome to attend this service of praise and thanksgiving of His grace.
Don will be the featured speaker at a conference on Prisoner Reentry in Flint, Michigan on October 16, 2010. His book Keeping Ex-Offenders Free continues to be used extensively by churches and prison ministries nationwide (see Resources). Don spoke on this subject at a 2007 White House Conference and at the Texas Association of Probation And Parole Officers in Galveston, Texas in 2009.
Don to Speak in Denton County Don to Speak in Florida Don will speak to youth in the Pompano Substance Abuse Program for boys 13-18. Operated by a private foundation, it is part of the Florida Juvenile Justice System. The boys are in this secure facility from 6-9 months. Youth Direct to Host OSL Meeting
Don will be in the Chicago WMBI studio October 19th as the guest of Chris Fabry on the national show Chris Fabry Live! The one hour show at 2pm Central Time includes interaction from callers. Chris was host of the popular Open Line radio show from 1985 - 1997. Don was a guest on Open Line several times. Chris received the "Talk Personality of the Year Award" in 2008 from the National Religious Broadcasters Association. Chris is also a gifted author. To learn more about Chris, go to www.chrisfabry.com. NEW LANYARDS The ministry has new polyester lanyards with IDs for our volunteers. All volunteers may keep them but are encouraged to bring them to events to control ministry expenses. We are grateful to Dr. Tommy & Naomi Sessums for this gift! SCRIPTURE BOOKMARK The ministry has two new resources for our volunteers, a Bible laminated bookmark with MINISTRY STANDARDS on one side and SECURITY GUIDELINES on the reverse side. Also new is the SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION bookmark with important themes for teenagers on the reverse side. Volunteers may keep these valuable resources or purchase additional copies at cost. NEW EXCITING DVD AVAILABLE!
Don Smarto Wins Two Angel Awards
In 2009, Smarto won the ©Angel Award for his book Mended by God. The judges believed "this audio book maintains the quality of the book with a high standard of editing and professionalism. The story of Tony Pack is enhanced by this production and deserves this recognition." The documentary The Youngest Brother "tells a dramatic story of crime without the gratuitous violence seen in media today. The message will inspire people." The ©Angel Award is given by the Excellence in Media organization "honoring works of outstanding moral, ethical, and social impact." Nominated media are judged by members of The Los Angeles Press Club, National Association of Broadcasters, National Association for Community and Family Education, and the Hollywood Press Club. Individual judges are people with "expertise and are outstanding in the media field." Previous ©Angel Award winners have been Tom Hanks, Bill Cosby, Steve Martin, Art Linkletter, Randy Travis, George Burns, and Roy Rogers. Past documentary films awarded the ©Angel Award have included March of the Penguins and An Inconvient Truth. Previous films awarded the ©Angel Award have included Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter And The Goblets of Fire, The Lion King, Forest Gump, and Wall-E. Entries from Russia, Israel, Japan, and Great Britain were considered in addition to the United States. EMI considers small producers as eligible as the major studios. BOOK WINS AWARD!
TARRANT COUNTY SEPTEMBER 18th
Marshall Allen Story
Marshall Allen was a heroic firefighter who in a freak accident became paralyzed in all four limbs. By clicking Resources, you will find those interviews available for purchase. Our programs have had some very dynamic guests and these interviews will inspire and help many. Consider giving a CD on PARENTING, GRIEF, HEALING EMOTIONAL WOUNDS, MARRIAGE, ABUSE, EVANGELISM, and many more topics to a friend or family member going through tough times. Marshall will be speaking in a juvenile facility with Youth Direct in several months. We are confident he will have a great impact on the youth. And you can hear his story by going to Resources and using PayPal.
COSICANNA FACILITY May 22nd 11Th Annual Pennsylvania
Tour April 16th-26th Marzelle Hill March 20th TARRANT COUNTY FEBRUARY 13TH Juvenile Detention in Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas has extended an invitation to Youth Direct. Chaplain Mike Brown is coordinating this event with new staff member Kevin Cook. More information including directions will be available, soon. Mark the date in your calendar. MART JANUARY 23rd Performers will include MELVIN ADAMS and KERON JACKSON. Keron is new to our ministry. He has a powerful voice and a captivating testimony.
The youth will appreciate this program and a visit from our volunteers. If this is your first time, fill out the application (on this web page) and fax to 972 572 8335. CHICAGO YOUTH EVANGELISM
Fifty boys at the TYC facility McFadden Ranch in Roanoke, Texas will have a program and visits from trained volunteers. Arrival time is 9 am. We will leave the facility at 3 pm. Please sign up by November 27th or call 972 572-8336 and leave a call back number. MART SEPTEMBER 19th
RETURN TO COLORADO Don will give three presentations in Colorado juvenile facilities this summer through Kelly Barlow, a dynamic juvenile prison ministry leader who set up the events in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. The minstry had events in Colorado in 2005 and 2008. The Juvenile Justice System of Colorado has always made Youth Direct feel welcome!
8th Visit to Pennsylvania Don will speak in juvenile and adult prisons, churches, at youth rallies and provide training for ministry professionals in over 15 Pennsylvania cities between April 17th - April 28th. This is his eighth evangelistic trip to Pennsylvania. Wayne Benjamin coordinates these events. For exact details check www.yokefellowspa.org. FAITHFUL VOLUNTEER JOINS STAFF
Don Appointed Chairman The committee will recommend evangelism strategies for reaching juveniles, women inmates, minority offenders, and families. Composed of prison ministry leaders from across the country, the committee meets by phone conference each month. OSL is a collaboration of over 20 national ministries including Prison Fellowship, Navigators, International Bible Society, The Billy Graham Organization, and Campus Crusade. Youth Direct is a proud member of Operation Starting Line. For more information about OSL go to the Prison Fellowship web site. The recent photo was taken at the Washington
DC meeting in October with Mark Early (President of PF) presiding.
Don is in the second row (fourth from the left). May 23rd Gainesville Training to be announced the week before at Westside Baptist Church and downtown Dallas. First time volunteers Fax application to 972-572-8335.
Volunteer of the Year In the past, Wayne has joined us in Florida and other states. For the eighth year (April 2009) Don will speak in churches, schools, jails, and juvenile facilities in over 15 towns and cities in Pennsylvania. Each year, Wayne has coordinated these visits and attended every event. The ministry is so grateful to Wayne for his dedication. He also coordinates the Lehigh Valley chapter of Yokefellows Prison Ministry. Wayne is living proof that there is no retirement from Christian service. Wayne inspires all that meet him and work with him. Countless prisoners and juvenile offenders are saved today because of his leadership, volunteer training, and evangelism. We applaud Wayne for all he has done for Youth Direct Ministries. We pray for many more years of partnership. Jacob Hope, Brillant Drummer, Joins Ministry The youth were mesmerized by his skills from Stomp Style on pots & pans to a Buddy Rich style solo on his elaborate drum set. He will play at Crocket and is a welcome addition to our very talented performers. Come hear him in person!
Donation for the Blind Our Chairman, Tony Pack donated 100 sets of the new Mended by God Audio Book to the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. The organization expressed their gratitude and many blind individuals will hear the drama and inspiration of the story. The audio book is now available on Amazon.com and this web site. Corsicana, Saturday, February 28th 45 minutes south of Dallas, this will be a great day of faith sharing and blessings. New volunteers need to mail or FAX the 2009 Application. Training locations will be announced. 75 male & female volunteers are needed. God will bless you for helping a young person find a new direction in life! Blessings at Youth Village As always, Alan Ward mesmerized the youth with his illusions, and new performer Jacob Hope was outstanding with his great percussion skills. Many boys accepted Christ as Savior!
Crockett Over 55 volunteers attended an event at Crockett State School in November. The superintendent and chaplain joined us for a group photo.
CHICAGO REPORT DENVER REPORT Melvin Adams to Perform Melvin's combination of humor and basketball skills are always a hit with youth. Over 55 volunteers joined performers Brandon (Hip Hop Artist), Jacob Hope (Drummer), Alan Dee (Illusionist), and Don Smarto (sharing his family story). The hospitality was great as the superintendent served a lavish meal of grilled chicken, brisket, and sausage to the volunteers. Although several units went into lockdown, many seeds were planted. In December, a program will be presented at McFadden Ranch for 55 boys. White House Supports Faith-Based
Programs
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I
never really counted the number of times I had meetings with Charles
Colson, mostly private, until his passing on April 21st. I was amazed
that it was over ninety times, which for a non-PF employee, was
perhaps a record.
Don
will be the featured speaker May 17th at the Dallas Camera Club.
Don
will speak in two juvenile facilities May 21st & May 22nd in
Colorado Springs and Pueblo. He has spoken in both facilities five
times. 
Don
will be the featured speaker at the Dallas Baptist Association lunch
for pastors and guests on Monday, June 6th. His presentation is
Witness to Roman Catholics.
On
Saturday, June 25th, Youth Direct will present programs at Mart
II near Waco. Volunteers are needed to share the Gospel in the dorm
day rooms. 
Don
to Speak at Stults Baptist Church
Don
to Speak in Michigan
Fifty
national leaders from Prison Fellowship, Navigators, International
Bible Society (Biblica), Billy Graham Association, Awana, Campus
Crusade, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Evangelism Explosion, Billy
Graham Center, Jobs for Life, Good News Jail & Prison Ministry,
Crossroad Bible Institute, One Hope and many more ministries will
come to Dallas October 12th for an all day meeting hosted by Youth
Direct Ministries. Speaker Lamont Levels and Gospel singer Craig
O'Dell will provide inspiration through testimony and music. Youth
Direct has been a proud member of Operation Starting Line since
2002.
National
Radio Appearance
Don
Smarto has presented his testimony with unique visuals to over 100,000
people in churches and schools across America. Now, for the first
time, this dynamic presentation The Youngest Brother is available
on DVD. This digitally mastered program includes sound effects,
music, and 500 photos, some seen for the first time. This is a powerful,
true story that has received critical acclaim. The DVD is a great
companion to the book Family Secrets and the Audio Book, too. Don
is an expert storyteller and delivers this presentation with captivating
facts and Biblical applications. Share this modern day parable with
your teens, in a church group, or in a Christian school. Go to Resources
to get your copy today. The PG Rating advises parents that some
themes and visuals may not be acceptable for small children.
For
the second consecutive year, producer Don Smarto has won the 2010
©Angel Award for two media productions, the documentary film
The Youngest Brother and the audio book, Mended by God.
The
Excellence in Media Award (Angel Award TM) was given to the book
Mended by God; The Tony Pack Story. Accepting the 2009 Silver Angel
honor was the book's author, Don Smarto. 
Saturday,
September 18th, volunteers will share their faith with
A
recent guest on the ministry radio program Parenting Today's Youth
has struck a chord with our listeners. 
Don
will speak in churches, juvenile facilities, schools, jails, and
drug programs in over 18 Pennsylvania cities in April. Coordinated
by Wayne Benjamin (Youth Direct Volunteer of the Year 2009) this
will be his eleventh straight year. In addition to sermons and banquet
messages, Don will present his informative Civil War Presentation
in a Civil War museum, his stimulating Writing Seminar in an alternative
school and juvenile detention center, and his Stress Management
Seminar to prison ministry volunteers and leaders. Don will speak
and train as often as five times a day for the nine days of his
tour. Prayers for safe travel, health, and a strong speaking voice
are requested.
This
was the 9th consecutive year Youth Direct conducted evangelistic
programs in Illinois youth facilities (prisons). 16 volunteers joined
us to share encouragement, Scriptures, prayer, and their faith with
juvenile prisoners. The program included Larry Howard from Georgia
who has recorded 18 albums and performed in 500 prisons. His expert
guitar skills and rich voice blended into a unique style of blues
music that captured their attention. Athletes Yago Williams and
Greg Molchan, members of the Conquerors Strength Team, performed
feats of strength that included tearing phone books, bending a horse
shoe, lifting people holding a bar, and bending a steel bar held
in their teeth. In addition, Yago shared his past which included
being a street fighter, drug dealer, and nightclub bouncer and his
transformation in Christ. Don Smarto shared his testimony and a
new Powerpoint on Making Good Choices. At the end of each program,
Don gave the inmates an opportunity to make a profession of faith
in Jesus and a second prayer to make Jesus the Lord of their life.
In every facility, at each program, a majority of prisoners raised
their hands, for which we praise God! 
MCFADDEN
RANCH DECEMBER 5th
Volunteers
are needed for an event in the TYC facility in Mart, Texas, eastof
Waco. Several hundred boys and girls will attend programs in the
gym. Volunteers will have opportunities to share their faith in
the day rooms. Arrival time is 9 am. At 3:30 pm we will close with
a sharing and prayer time and leave the facility at 4 pm. First
time volunteers are encouraged to attend a training session and
fax a signed application to (972) 572 8335 which can be downloaded
from this web site.
Kevin
Cook, a faithful volunteer and Youth Direct Camp counselor joins
our staff as Director of Event Logistics. His focus is often on
youth with learning disorders and troubled backgrounds. Kevin has
been one of Youth Direct's most active volunteers for over six years
and was a counselor at two Youth Direct summer camps at Eagle Mountain
Lake. He has hit the road running by establishing contact with a
new facility in Fort Worth. See his full background on the 
Wayne
Benjamin is voted our "Most Dedicated Volunteer of 2009".
At age 79, Wayne continues to be active in prison ministry. Last
Fall he drove 2000 miles to be with our team in Chicago.
Jacob,
known as J-DOG to youth, recently played on programs in Oklahoma
in June and the Dallas Youth Village in August. 
After
five exciting days in Chicago area juvenile prisons, with 7 hours
at home, I went directly to Denver to go into three facilities as
part of the Operation Starting Line outreach. OSL is a collaboration
of over 25 ministries working together to bring the Gospel to prisoners
across America. Since 2001, Youth Direct has been a full collaborator
conducting events in 62 juvenile facilities in 9 states. The ministry
was in Colorado in 2005. 
Melvin
Adams captured the attention of the youth at Crockett State School
recently.