Leola Hoekstra, wife of the late Chaplain Ray, went home to be with her Lord on January 10, 2009 in Plano, Texas.  Leola Hoekstra was born September 27, 1919 in Roe, Arkansas. She was married to Chaplain Ray Hoekstra who founded International Prison Ministry in 1972.  Chaplain Ray continued as IPM Director until he went home to be with the Lord on November 20, 1997, at the age of 84.  For decades Chaplain Ray and Leola made thousands of ministry visits into prisons across America and the former Soviet Union. They also distributed free Bibles, life-changing testimony books and Christian study books to prisoners who requested them. Today IPM, under the leadership of Chaplain Ray's son, Bob, continues to carry on the ministry to which Ray and Leola dedicated their lives.

We praise the Lord for Leola - - for her life and love - - for her fruitful service unto Christ - - for her testimony and example. Our next IPM Ministry Letter (for February) will be dedicated to her faithful servanthood to the Lord. This letter will be posted on this site.        
We appreciate your prayers for Leola's loved ones and for all of the IPM Team.

 Visit the "Monthly Ministry Letters" link and read the February 2009 edition devoted to Leola.