"By this shall everyone know that you are truly
my disciples, if you have love one for another."
John 13:35
Having and operating a church behind prison walls is a unique and challenging experience...
my disciples, if you have love one for another."
John 13:35
Having and operating a church behind prison walls is a unique and challenging experience...
As men who have been forgiven of our all our sins and have since committed our lives to serving the Lord Jesus, we should now live in such a manner that represents Him in a good way. Our bad behaviors must end, while a new life of integrity and virtue has come to replace our former way of doing what we knew to be sinful and unlawful.
But transformation is a continuous process that spans years. While salvation, however, and the forgiveness of one's sins happens in an instant once a repentant individual places his faith in the Lord. Thus, his maturing into a steadfast disciple may take a lifetime.
Yet it is here inside prison where the process of personal growth begins. By its very nature, prison is designed to punish criminal offenders. But for men like myself, it has now become a training ground to learn righteousness. It is here, behind the concrete walls and gun towers, where the development of godly character starts.
In addition, we also learn how to work together as one unified body of like-minded believers. For we are all members of what the Bible calls the "family of faith." And being that we are a family, albeit a spiritual one, we are likewise learning how to encourage and admonish each other. We are our brother's keeper.
This is the church inside prisons. Men who've committed crimes and broke the law, but have come to recognize that what they did was wrong and are truly remorseful, have made their peace with God. Individuals who once ran amok in the streets have now settled into a disciplined life of prayer and praise, and Bible study.
The church of the incarcerated consists of men from differing levels of education, backgrounds, races and colors, all of us united by faith in a loving Savior who has redeemed us with His own sinless blood.
It is here in captivity where the church shines brightly by extending brotherly love among its members. For in doing so we're demonstrating the reality of our faith. We are showing our neighbors that we are truly Christ's disciples, and all are welcome to join us.
D.B.
But transformation is a continuous process that spans years. While salvation, however, and the forgiveness of one's sins happens in an instant once a repentant individual places his faith in the Lord. Thus, his maturing into a steadfast disciple may take a lifetime.
Yet it is here inside prison where the process of personal growth begins. By its very nature, prison is designed to punish criminal offenders. But for men like myself, it has now become a training ground to learn righteousness. It is here, behind the concrete walls and gun towers, where the development of godly character starts.
In addition, we also learn how to work together as one unified body of like-minded believers. For we are all members of what the Bible calls the "family of faith." And being that we are a family, albeit a spiritual one, we are likewise learning how to encourage and admonish each other. We are our brother's keeper.
This is the church inside prisons. Men who've committed crimes and broke the law, but have come to recognize that what they did was wrong and are truly remorseful, have made their peace with God. Individuals who once ran amok in the streets have now settled into a disciplined life of prayer and praise, and Bible study.
The church of the incarcerated consists of men from differing levels of education, backgrounds, races and colors, all of us united by faith in a loving Savior who has redeemed us with His own sinless blood.
It is here in captivity where the church shines brightly by extending brotherly love among its members. For in doing so we're demonstrating the reality of our faith. We are showing our neighbors that we are truly Christ's disciples, and all are welcome to join us.
D.B.
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