You’ve heard the old adage “life begins at forty,” well, for me, I was almost sixty when life really took on a glow. It was at that time that the Lord led me through the doors of a prison and I was astounded by the opportunities that await God’s people who dare to enter there. That was nine years ago, and since then the impression that was dropped upon me that day has only intensified. These men are truly trophies of God’s grace.
One of the wonderful men that I have met on the “inside” was Michael. Thirty-two years of age and a badly backslidden believer, he had been in the jail for three days, just long enough for the Spirit of God to begin an effective work on him. The night before our meeting he approached another inmate who was lying on his bunk reading the Scriptures. It took less than an hour for this man, the most spiritually mature man in the tank, to lead Michael back to the foot of the cross. When I met Michael the next afternoon his eyes were still red. He had spent the whole night reading the Scriptures and crying out to God. It was the best example I have ever seen of godly repentance. That was four years ago. Since then Michael has continued to grow and to serve the Lord with his considerable talents and gifts. He attends one of the largest evangelical churches in this state and recently the leadership there asked him to lead a ministry to inmates and their families. Michael is pursuing his degree in web design, he will be married in October and his future wife wants to do what she can to help those caught in human trafficking. This man is truly a trophy of God’s grace.
There are so many men, women, and youth in that system that are waiting for a word of truth, of life and of hope. Maybe the Holy Spirit will lay it on your heart to answer their unspoken cry. You couldn’t possibly be more blessed in the process than I have been. Nothing beats watching God make trophies of grace.
If you would like to learn more about Calvary Fellowship’s work with prisoners, send an email to info@calvaryfellowship.org
