Testimony Books

After being released from prison, where he had given his life to Christ and while living in Napanee, Ontario, in 1981, Monty and Lynda Lewis, with the help of prison chaplains, started his book ministry by sending new testaments into the prisons. As the demand grew Monty and his wife, Lynda, started stamping the books with his address and telephone number. It soon became apparent that there was an obvious need for testimony books about cons and ex-cons who had given their lives to Christ, and whose stories would encourage men still in prison.

This led to an affiliation with Chaplain Ray Hoekstra of International Prison Ministries, in Dallas, Texas, which saw Monty become his associate for books distributed in Canada. Monty was sending more and more books into the prisons, and getting friends involved, stamping and packaging the books. At the same time, he was becoming involved in other types of ministry and still holding down a full time job, but it was the book ministry that was dearest to his heart. He and Lynda formed Cons For Christ, and on the advice of a friend, James Long, got a post office box and started a mailing list, sending letters to friends and supporters to keep them up to date on the ministry. The newsletter started with only thirty-five names, and has increased to over two thousand.

Monty felt God calling him to full time ministry, specifically to one in Fredericton, New Brunswick. When he mentioned it to Lynda she told him God had already spoken to her, and she said, 'When do we go?' In August 1985 Monty quit his job, they sold the house, and moved to Fredericton, where they attended Smythe Street Cathedral. Pastor Mart Vahi offered Monty a room at the church in which to continue his work.

In 1992 Monty's life story, 'The Caper', was published, and with the benefit of radio broadcasts with Chaplain Ray, the ministry really took off. Translations of some of the books have been published in French and Spanish, and books are now shipped all over the world. The ministry now includes videos, audios, and greeting cards, and is a division of Bridges of Canada (163 St. John Street, in Fredericton).

"The Caper" is available at the following locations:

Bridges of Canada Inc.
163 St. John Street
Frederiton, NB
(506)443-9960 ext.221
bridges@bridgesofcanada.com

Lighthouse Family Resource Center
60 Bishop Drive
Fredericton, NB
(506)453-1010