Discipleship Unlimited: Past and Present

Linda Strom gave me permission to quote her from her recent newsletter.

Linda and Dallas’s whole life could be summed up in the words, Discipleship and Discipleship Unlimited!

I met Linda and Dallas back in the early 70’s. Probably 1971 at Christ Lutheran Church in Mequon Wisconsin on one of my visits.

During this time of pain and unrest in our world, the hot summer of 1972 comes to mind. Campus Crusade’s Explo 72 was in Dallas, Texas. It was an explosion of God’s power impacting over 75,000 in attendance, mostly young people. My husband Dallas and I were teaching evangelism seminars in the mornings and taking teams door-to-door to share Jesus in the afternoons. The closing night was held at the Cotton Bowl, and the final song was a favorite: “Pass It On.” We each held an unlit candle as the lights went down. Then, one-by-one, a small flame was passed. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going!” I passed on my flame to Big D and watched the stadium be transformed from darkness to light. I felt God affirming His love and amazing grace and I wanted everyone to know of His redeeming love. That same passion for God and desire to see Him work is still being released among us now. But there is an even greater urgency. Though prisons have been locked down since March, except to our essential workers, the ministry inside continues. Our inmate mentors are equipped. Dallas and Linda in 1972

Vanessa – Murray Alumni and student at Wheaton College – Vanessa is a facilitator and leader for Healing the Wounded Heart! They have inspired us with their desire to pray and share Jesus with their fellow inmates. Prayer vigils and devotions are part of their routine as they include us in their prayers. One of our Faith Dorm women volunteered to clean the housing unit where the Covid-19 patients are housed. She wanted to pray. She then tested positive and is living in that unit. Our women being released from prison are entering a world of new challenges. Jobs are scarce and relationships are strained because there have been no visits since lockdown. Some of our women have lost family members and others have little support. These months have been extremely stressful for inmates and officers alike. We are in the process of training our volunteers to facilitate “Healing the Wounded Heart” weekends. This material is written by the American Bible Society. The Word brings healing and being in community with our team is essential. We are praying for a pathway to freedom. And your prayers are greatly appreciated. God has called us to light up our world. Psalm 68:6: “God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoner free and gives them joy!”

Linda’s Bio

Linda co-founded Discipleship Unlimited with her late husband, Dallas, in 1974. She continues to serve as President by ministering in prisons and speaking across the globe, sharing her passion that those Jesus has set free are free indeed. They are now ministering in prison and in reentry as well. Discipleship Unlimited received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award in 2017.

Linda was introduced to death row inmate Karla Faye Tucker in 1987. They were friends for 11 years, and Karla was a vital participant in the ministry of Discipleship Unlimited. When Karla received her execution date, she asked Linda to walk alongside her on her journey. Linda wrote a book about this adventure entitled Karla Faye Tucker Set Free that is now published in French, German, Spanish, and English.

Linda and her late husband Dallas co-founded Discipleship Unlimited in 1974. They served in Milwaukee WI till 2003. Then they moved to Central Texas to minister to the 11,000 women incarcerated in that region. In March 2008 Dallas died after a five-year battle with cancer. He had a powerful ministry during his illness. He often spoke in the prison chapel services and was prayed for by the men and women in white. His desire was for us to continue to serve the 11,000 female inmates in Central Texas. Today we have seven faith-based dorms. We also have several hundred former offenders- Faith Dorm alumni- who are released and are working alongside us. We have developed Reentry curriculum which is endorsed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Our Faith Dorm alumni are returning to prison to encourage and strengthen their sisters. Our staff and volunteer team disciple women when they are released from prison.  Discipleship Unlimited received the Governor’s Service award in 2017.

Graduation at Mountain View Prison. Every 18 months.

Dallas and Linda Strom at the beginning of their ministry of Discipleship Unlimited.

Linda spoke about attending Explo 72 in Dallas

Young people from Milwaukee who had attended Explo 72 in Dallas came back and had a vision for having a local event of the same type. The emphasis would be and was Discipleship! I was new in the faith at that time. A few of my more mature friends had attended Dallas Explo and invited me to help with the Milwaukee event. The rest is history! Thanks Linda and Dallas!

Milwaukee Campus Crusade Explo 72

Linda’s prison ministry: Discipleship Unlimited It’s all about Discipleship.

Linda’s Blog

On our Journey with Jesus.

Discipleship in the dorms. Mike+Edrena Smith Murray Faith Based Dorm Coordinators Tammy Inmate Mentor Murray “Most of us are us are dealing with Covid-19 symptoms. But I am still believing God is doing a new thing. God is always good and He is changing lives. He is at work in this prison.”

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14