Reaching the Unreachable
9/6/15
As I woke up this morning, I was greeted with stiffness and some pain, but then a smile slowly came to my face as I remembered the five hours I spent behind the wheel driving to Washington State Prison.
I remembered the new lieutenant that changed the rules and stated I could no longer bring in my own microphone, even though it’s been on my equipment list for 10 years… Having to go through the search twice, just because some one wanted to exert their authority over me. However, this is not why I’m smiling…
You must understand that I got to witness 81 men come into the church service, and a man healed from high blood pressure, and then 57 men came to the alter and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ…
The world may make all its noise (like a roaring lion), but it can’t be louder than my praise! I thank God for what He is doing in the prison system; God’s love is reaching the unreachable, and changing lives forever! Praise His Holy Name.
Are you smiling yet?
Coolness of the Rain
7/6/15
I want to praise God for the blessings and the miracles I’ve seen this past week. Started on Wednesday, I got to Central State Prison a little early so I could bring in treats for the inmates ( I have to go through shakedown to bring in treats).
I’d driven through a lot of rain to get there. It was clouded over and looked and felt like it would rain any second. Got to the gym to set up for service and started praying for God to hold off the rain, (the inmates don’t show when it rains, they have to walk in it). I’ve found out God answers a lot of prayers when you’re reaching for souls. It was also hot and muggy, so I actually did want it to rain so it would cool off, but just maybe later. Just before service was called, the temp dropped so much it felt like the gym was air conditioned! 113 men showed for service and the biggest miracle of all was that 37 men gave their lives over to Jesus Christ that night.
As I was driving away from the prison, I was praising God for what I had just witnessed when I saw something that made me burst out in laughter—I’d only driven half a mile when I found the road was wet, with puddles everywhere; God had made it rain all around the prison yet the prison was dry!
This past Sunday at Washington State Prison, I’d gotten there about 15 minutes late, (construction on 1-20). I was escorted right in, (that never happens), the service was already in motion, and praise and worship was in full swing. It was only 6:45, and the inmates were there and worship was taking place. That is a miracle in itself. In the 16 years I’ve been doing this ministry, it’s only happened twice (this being the second time). I was informed that 83 inmates had shown up for service. The music seemed to be custom-made for the message God had given me. I had time to complete the message, and I gave the alter call, and God brought 56 men to the alter to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Thank you Father for allowing me to see the miracles you worked this past week!
Miracles
6/25/15
I just love it when God works a miracle, so I’ve got to take the time and brag on my Father. Tonight was the night I go to Central State Prison, and needless to say It rained all the way down, very hard… After getting in and to the gym for the set up crew to get ready for service it really started to rain hard. The noise was deafening on the tin roof. Raining like this the men won’t come to service, so I called for prayer so we could pray about it. Asked God to stop the rain when church service was called. The rain stopped, perfectly quiet and then I heard over the radio the call for church service… 83 men showed for service, 17 surrendered to the Lord! My God is not dead!!! and He still works miracles…
A Very Merry Christmas
12/25/14
Tonight my wife and I had a very rare privilege of conducting a Christmas Eve service at Central State Prison in Macon, Georgia. From the very start, things were different than usual. It was shift change for the officers, and they were wishing us a Merry Christmas as they exited the prison. (Normally they ignore us or look at us as though we are wasting their time.) We had an officer that was assigned specifically to us to get things underway for the service. The men were called out at 6:45 pm, and
the service was underway by 7:00 (almost on time, which is also very rare!). Praise and worship was the order of service. Christmas hymns rang out, and smiles started appearing on faces, and hands were being raised. We could feel and see the Spirit of God reaching into the souls of the men. God drew 102 men into the service; 47 wanted prayer, 31 came forward to surrender themselves to Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born to die for us, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate His birth than to have souls surrender to Him! I’m thankful for this experience and the privilege to serve Him!