Herald&Review

‘THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST’ In Decatur, Christian court group offers appeal to the ultimate judge

DECATUR — The American legal system has many judges, but none can claim the 2,000 year history and tantalizing offer of forgiveness promised by the supreme trier of facts represented by Marie Sheets, a Team Leader for Courtside Ministries.

Sheets and her band of Christian volunteers offer easy access for those seeking help with difficult cases: most Tuesday mornings will find the Courtside Ministries evangelists standing outside the Macon County Courthouse ready to pray and share an encouraging word with all who need it.

“The purpose of what we do is to offer hope to people and lift up the name of Jesus Christ in the courthouse,” said Sheets, a constant smile illuminating her bright blue eyes. “And we believe that the highest appeal is not to a court, but to Jesus. We pray for a lot of people and mostly we pray that they have wisdom and that they know they are not alone, God is with them.” see more…

WAND 17 – NBC

Volunteers pray with people going to court

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- Since September, volunteers have gathered outside the Macon County Courthouse, offering to pray with people on their way to-and-from court.

The volunteers are taking part in an initiative called Courtside Ministries that began in Chicago and now includes volunteers praying at courthouses around Illinois and beyond.

“A lot of times when I offer, they say ‘No, I’m in a hurry,’” said volunteer Marie Sheets. “But then after I pray, people are usually thankful. If you’re praying about something that’s heavy in your heart, a lot of times having someone be nice to you kind of makes you cry.” see more…

Chicago Tribune

Prayer group a regular presence outside 26th and Cal courthouse: ‘This is a dark building’

Tom Strening stood in a chilly morning breeze outside Cook County’s busiest criminal courthouse and gestured at the plaza before him.

He pointed at the friends sharing a pack of Newports on the sidewalk, the young men sprinting inside to make their court hearing on time. All kinds of people find their way to the Leighton Criminal Court Building every day: high-heeled attorneys, jaded defendants, nervous jurors and gray-faced bureaucrats.

“The Holy Spirit is pursuing every one of these people,” he said. see more…

Quad-City Times

‘It’s uplifting’: Christian volunteers offer prayers outside Scott County Courthouse

Nerves got the best of Lu Anne Sisk on Monday as she made her way into the Scott County Courthouse.

She was scared and sweating until a group of smiling strangers greeted her near the entrance to the building at 400 W. 4th St., Davenport. They said a simple prayer for her, and a refreshed Sisk continued through the glass doors to handle a traffic-related issue.

“It just blew me away,” she later said. “That made me feel so much better because it felt like I had somebody behind me.” see more…

WGN9 – Chicago News

Where gospel meets gavel: Group prays for those in need at area courthouses

Hundreds of people walk in and out of court houses each day in the Chicago area. Many of them facing a myriad of problems; Legal, financial, family, drugs, jail time, the list goes on. see more…

Daily Sun – Arizona News

Prayers before plea deals

A national group is providing a bit of comfort at the courthouse steps. Courtside Ministries was set up with a table full of Christian pamphlets and offering to pray for anyone walking by the Coconino County Superior Courthouse on Monday. see more…

The Daily Standard – Ohio News

Church members to pray at courthouse

CELINA – Pastor Randy Christian and The Lord’s Church members will gather in front of the Mercer County Courthouse for a few hours each Monday morning to offer prayer to anyone in need. see more…

Chicago Tribune – Chicago News

On steps of county courthouses, Christian volunteers offer prayers and a kind word for all

It didn’t matter how many times Elaine Cornett walked in and out of Leighton Criminal Court Building without saying hello. The volunteers for Courtside Ministries Chicago who prayed outside every day would not give up. see more…

Independent – Colorado News

Courtside Ministries effort chafes local attorney

It’s hard to say it smells like Christ outside the El Paso county court complex. It smells, in fact, like hot dogs, thanks to competing lunch carts on this warm March morning.

But Jim Singleton wears a beatific smile as he talks about how Courtside Ministries is “Bringing the Aroma of Christ to the Courthouse,” as it promises on its brochure. see more…

Goshen News – Indiana News

Need prayer? Group to start offering service outside county courthouse

GOSHEN — A new Christian ministry service could soon be setting up shop on the lawn of the Elkhart County Courthouse.During a meeting of the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners Monday, the commissioners were informed of plans by the local chapter of the Christian Legal Society, a national non-denominational Christian membership association of lawyers, judges and law professionals, to partner with the Valparaiso-based non-profit Courtside Ministries beginning Wednesday with the goal of providing a manned prayer table at the courthouses in Elkhart and Goshen. see more…

Daily Herald – Illinois News

Volunteers give spiritual help at DuPage courthouse

Directly across from the front doors of the DuPage County courthouse, on a park bench, hung a banner asking, “Need prayer?”

“I was going to court to try to change my custody situation so I could travel with my son. So I definitely needed prayer that day,” Zoppe said. “It was like God needed me to see that sign.” see more…

The Daily Advocate – Ohio News

Courtside Ministries offers prayers to people in need

Courtside Ministries, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2008 by Criminal Defense Attorney J. Tyler, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started local and has spread his mission across the country. In 2011, others joined the mission, such as: Directer and President Tom Strening, of Chicago, Tony Cargile, Jason O’Neal and Executive Director Mike Kienapple, all of Indiana. In 2011 it exploded, according to Kienapple. He and Strening travel to launch the interdenominational ministry with different local churches, who eventually sustain the ministry. see more…

Wapakoneta Daily News – Ohio News

Group launches Courthouse Ministries

A group of leaders from local churches decided to step up and launch Courtside Ministries outside the Auglaize County Courthouse Wednesday morning. Courtside Ministries is a national, non-denominational ministry based out of Chicago with a mission to bring Christ’s presence to the courthouse and 48 locations around the U.S., in 10 different states. see more…

iTunes Podcast

Lawyers for Jesus Radio

Prayer at the Courts: The Work of Courtside Ministries
Released Feb 15, 2016

On Lawyers for Jesus Radio, we’ll be talking with Courtside Ministries as we learn about God’s work when believers stand outside courthouses and offer prayer to those entering. see more…

PDF – Harold Times – Indiana News

Outside justice building, an offer of prayer

Prayer at the Courts: The Work of Courtside Ministries
Passers-by have varying responses when the people of prayer stationed outside the Charlotte T. Zietlow Justice Center approach on Tuesday
mornings.

“Good morning,” Don Cross says as two young men walk past. “Can we pray with you?”

“I’ve already prayed this morning, but thank you,” one responds, hurrying by. A sharp-dressed lawyer steers clear, avoiding eye contact as he dashes
up the steps. see more…