Don't Leave Jesus in the Driveway

Not much difference between prison ministry and (youth) camp ministry...

Didn't recognize that until a few years ago...I often tell the guys, "Whether you make it on the street or not will be determined in the first couple hours after you walk out of prison..."

As far as professing Christian inmates go, the word is "Don't leave Jesus at the gate."

And this morning week one at SuperC (Midland Ministries camp in Polo, MO) comes to a close...and around 11am teens will head back to the "real" world.

In an hour I'll challenge them to "not leave Jesus in the driveway" as they pull out of camp. For those who made "decisions" for Christ I'll tell them, "Whether you follow through on your alleged commitment to read the Bible more, pray more, tell your friends about Christ, obey your parents habitually etc etc etc...how you act in the coming few hours will determine whether it 'sticks.'"

Scripture says "do not despise the day of small beginnings."

Would you join me in praying these teens cling to Jesus as many of them return to horrific "homes." The very place that should be a dress rehearsal for heaven is, in far too many cases, a portrayal of the alternative...

And pray as I begin the drive west...tomorrow (Sunday) I'll speak three times behind the walls and wire of the Sterling Penitentiary...Colorado's largest state prison. The next morning I begin a week at Camp Machasay.

Amazed I get to do what I get to do...

Superb Day

Yesterday (Monday) was a fantastic day for me.

Actually, every day is fantastic; some are just fantasticker (just for my friends who love the English language :)

 Jacob and I spend Sunday night at the camp our ministry owns and operates in Polo, Mo. Monday I got up and traveled to Cameron and Crossroads Correctional, a maximum security prison.

On the 3rd and 4th Mondays of each month I speak to what is called the "Reformed Bible Study." Yesterday there was about 20 men in attendance. I preached from Psalm 103, and we simply had a God-touched time. Every time the Word is proclaimed there is victory; sometimes seen, sometimes not.

But yesterday morning was "strangely warm" as God's Spirit ministered. Can't adequately put it in written words, but it was a holy hush of reverence.

Last night I spoke at WRDCC in St Joseph. About 70 men came to chapel. It was rainy and cold and thus the yard didn't look all that attractive, so we picked up a few more men than usual.

The prison band did well, and, again, there was a tangible sense of God uniquely working. Again I took off from Psalm 103.1 (I've been camped there for a couple weeks in my personal time). These guys are usually very attentive, but there was an "extraness" to it that, again, I can't explain.

I'm always amazed I get to do what I get to do. I also recognize God could use a donkey to do what I do (and there may be some similarities). But as I drove away from the second prison I was almost tearful in gratitude...first to God for calling, enabling, and equipping; and second to those folks who feel the work is important enough to support in both finance and prayer.

As Jane and I serve as home missionaries through Midland Ministries we receive no salary save that which comes in from people, and a few churches, who give to see our work continue. I've lived that way since 1978, and Jane and I married in 1982. We've not had to worry about where to invest our surplus money; but God, as He promises, has met our every need, and thrown in a few wants.

I frequently (too frequently?) tell our supporters - their gifts make the work possible; while their prayers make the work powerful.

So....I guess all that happened yesterday is their 'fault'.

And I'm grateful beyond measure.

What's Prison Ministry Like? Well...

I have no answer to the question in the title.

One person may minister one way, another another, etc.

But I can tell you what the ministry the Lord has opened for me looked like today.

This morning I traveled to Cameron, Mo to speak at "Christian General" in Crossroads Correctional Center. Crossroads houses 1,400 inmates...excuse me, we are not supposed to call them "inmates," they are "offenders." I'm sure there is a carefully thought out reason for this...It is a maximum security prison.

I speak to this particular group only once a month (on the second Wednesday). Crossroads has no programming on weekends, so all "religious" activities take place during week days. I also visit Crossroads on the 3rd and 4th Monday of each month.

Anyway, today there were about 80 inmate/offenders in attendance. About ten of them were white (no agenda here, just pointing out).

We have a ninety minute slot, so the first half hour or so was singing, with a "choir" of six or so inmates. It is like most any gathering on the streets...some in the audience sing, some don't, some talk...and, yes, a couple sleep.

Then I spoke on God's forgiveness. The men, as always by His grace, were very attentive. With my style, even the sleepers awoke.

As I finished the inmate coordinator opened it up to testimonies...one guy shared, another man was about to when a CO (Corrections Officer) popped in and shouted, "Code Six, line up outside."

I think it was a drill, but a code six implies someone is missing, everyone cells in and the CO's count noses to find out if, in fact, someone has vanished.

After the inmates had been dismissed to their cells, the CO said I could leave. I walked down to the Control Room and was told to go back (I'm glad I spent four years in the Army as well as a few years in prison; prepared me for stuff like this).

An hour or so later the place was still locked down but a white-shirt (officer) told me I could leave; went through the control room, down the stairs, and opened the exit door. Outside were several Cameron police officers, a couple SWAT type looking guys. They asked for my ID, and then let me through to my vehicle.

I drove to where the prison driveway met the main road to see a few more cars and automatic weapon carrying officers. They checked my id. had me pop the trunk (I drive a small Ford Focus...), and let me proceed.

So it was a normal day punctuated by an un-normal code six.

I never ask inmates why they are locked up, and if they begin to tell me I ask them not to tell me. Why? I don't want to run the risk of losing my objectivity.

But I did, during the code six, look at the sign in sheet and, on a whim, wrote down seven numbers.

When I (finally) got back to my office, I fired up the prison locator to see what the chosen seven were doing time for...

And this is what I discovered:

1) Armed robbery, 85 years
2) 1st Degree Murder, Life without parole
3) Rape, 101 years
4) Trafficking drugs, 41 years
5) Robbery/Assault, double life
6) 1st Degree Murder, Statutory Rape, Life without parole
7) Distributing/Manufacturing Controlled Substance, 24 years.


But you know what? I'm convinced that we've made two huge mistakes regarding ministry in North America:

1) We've perverted the ministry into a profession rather than a calling

2) We've carved out niches and specialties and thus confuse the issue

What do I mean? The first is patently obvious to anyone with eyes to see.

The second is perhaps a bit more dim...but we have "youth ministry," "senior ministry," "military ministry," "prison ministry," etc etc etc.

But...at its core..ministry is ministry...whether "vocational" (full time) or all-of-us: Love God, love people.

That's it.

Sure, augment it with awareness of your audience etc, but there isn't one gospel for teens and another for convicts and still another for military personnel.

People are people.

Love them, love God.

The very best definition of ministry I've ever read comes from Warren Wiersbe: 

"Ministry takes place

 when divine resources

 meet human needs

 through loving channels 

 to the glory of God."

What Did You Do Last Week?

Prison ministry is not a universal calling. Though Jesus talked about visiting those in prison; others are gifted in nursing home ministry, hospital visitation, youth, etc.

But I've been privileged to be involved in ministry behind the walls ever since I was released on parole.

Last Friday I spent the day in the Ellsworth (Ks) Correctional Facility, and on Saturday I was privileged to minister at Hutchinson.

I was able to share my story to the entire group; and had some one-on-one times with several prisoners.

One young man was passionate about his commitment to Christ, and seemed genuinely repentant of his sins...both legal and illegal. The earliest...the earliest...he will get out of prison is June 4, 2058. That is not a typo...2058.

Another offender is comparatively "short," he may get out in 2036.

Of course most of the men I work with regularly at Crossroads Correctional in Cameron, Mo will never get out. As in never.

I won't argue the prison system or the legal system.

But it is important to remember these men are created in the image of God...and precious in His sight.

Many are lost, but no more lost that you were/are.

Some of the Christian inmates were Christians when they committed their crimes. Some sins are legal; some illegal.

I'm grateful someone reached out to me when I was incarcerated.

I'm grateful beyond words that my support team makes it possible for me to work in the ripe fields of youth and prison ministry full-time.

And I rejoice in hope. (NOTE - the pics with helicopter are of Ellsworth during a training exercise for the reaction teams; the other two are of Hutchinson. The chapel at Ellsworth is the most fantastic chapel I've seen in 35 plus years of ministry...all paid for by donations from the outside. The chaplains there are fantastic.

I can't recommend enough that you consider spending some time behind the walls with Bill Glass's prison ministry. Check it out by CLICKING HERE

Hollow Eyes

As I was leaving prison this afternoon I was delayed as a group of 20 or so "new guys" came through one of the locked doors. Dressed in orange jumpsuits they ranged in age from probably 17 or 18 to 50+.

I tried to look each one in the eye (yes, most prison officials and the majority of inmates will tell you not to do this; but I try to make even a moment's human contact whenever possible...it has never caused a problem) and silently voice a quick prayer for them.

Some of the eyes reflected terror.

Too many reflected nothing.

The former had probably never been locked up before in a prison (certainly they had done at least some jail time before sentencing).

The latter are probably doing "life-on-the-installment-plan."

As I observed the hardened eyes an oldy moldy Petra song came to mind.

"Hollow Eyes."

The Petra song dealt with starving people.

But the "Hollow Eyes", at least in my mind, applies to the guys who see prison as a revolving door part of their life.

And that is sad.

And it is one reason why I go in whenever I can to try to share the good news of freedom....in Christ.

Here's the song:

Tough Day in Prison

Yesterday I had the distinct privilege of attending a Victims' Rights Recognition event at Western Reception,Diagnostic, Treatment here in Saint Joseph. This is three prisons behind one set of walls...

Over one hundred inmates and over fifty staff (first time I met the warden...) attended. Many of the inmates had to attend; several attended on their own initiative.

I was asked to open in prayer; an inmate-band played a number, and then a man who works in the maintenance department of the prison (not an inmate) spoke.

First a video of his 17 year old daughter was shown. He was in an adjacent hallway. I went out and asked if I could pray with him; he gratefully said "yes." I had read his story before. He has never seen the video...

After the screening of the video, which showed a vibrant, beautiful young lady enjoying life with friends and family, he came in and spoke....mostly monotone...took him quite a while to gain composure to speak...and he then told the audience of the murder of his 17 year old daughter in 1997 here in St Joseph.

The details are horrific, not "only" in her multiple-stabbing slaughter, but in the fact that her then 13-year-old brother discovered her body...

His point was that though the murder viciously ended his precious daughter's life, the dreadful act dramatically and permanently impacted the brother, the parents, the friends.

Like all sin, criminal acts are not done in a vacuum.

He did share, at the end, how God had brought him to a point of forgiveness.

This was a "non-religous" event..

Then a woman spoke about the shooting death of her 21 year old son. Innocent bystander gunned down in a crossfire between two carloads of punks. Happened four years ago, no arrests made to date.

She said she wanted justice, an eye-for-an-eye, and she wasn't ready to forgive.

The program had already gone much longer than planned; the leader cut out a few things and gave me a few moments to close it out.

Throughout the event the proverbial pin-drop would not have been heard...

I prayed as I approached the podium, and then took just a few minutes to remind the inmates that though the event was focused on "victims," that the prisoners themselves were not victims.

They had done the crime; they had to do the time.

Sure, there may have been contributing factors, but "The fool has dug a pit, and fallen into the pit which he has dug."

Personal responsibility...

Ceasing to use the greatest obscenity in our land, "It's not my fault."

A few glared at me; many nodded in agreement.

I expressed my condolences to the parents of the murder victims, and reminded the woman that forgiveness does not mean the repercussions of the act are erased. Forgiveness and justice can go hand-in-hand.

And I wrapped it up by speaking of the One who obediently volunteered to become the Ultimate "Victim" by wrapping Himself in our sins to pay the price that we should have paid.

It was a hard, amazing afternoon.

Prison and Christian Camp

I was captured by Christ while in jail awaiting a prison sentence. I now work in both youth ministry and prison ministry.

I'm struck by the similarities...it is relatively easy to make "decisions" for Christ in prison and in Christian camps.

It is a different story to live out those decisions when returning to the real world...whether from a Christian camp or a prison sentence.

As the inmates are always told just before they get out, "Don't leave Jesus at the gate." The same thing applies to students leaving Christian camps.

Of course a week of summer camp doesn't compare in most ways to a 3, 5, 10 or more year prison sentence.

But the fact remains - going back to the "real" world is where the decision must be lived out in dependence on God, in discipline, in accountability, and in community.

My Story of His Invasion

I am now involved in Kairos Prison Ministry.

Is it Baptist? Pentencostal? Methodist? etc.

Yes, and no.

It is designed to be focused on the essentials of the Christian faith, and thus I spent the weekend with a bunch of men with whom I could debate a lot of secondary theological issues.

But I don't have time for that.

Neither does Kairos.

The goal is to demonstrate and share Jesus with inmates in an intense, strategic, focused four-day-weekend.

As I shared my story of Christ's invasion into my life (I wasn't looking for Him, but I'm grateful He looked for me) it reminded me of an editorial I wrote for "The Family Life Journal" in 1997.

Oddly, I still have it, so I republish it here (with no changes....


Having just celebrated my 23rd spiritual birthday, I reflect on the goodness of God that first drew me to Himself and has more than sustained me since conversion.

Very often Christians speak of “when I found Christ.” The intent is good, the theology is not. Christ finds us! I certainly was not looking for Him, or for salvation, or even for hope in 1973. I had just been arrested and was awaiting extradition. Drugs were found in our cell, the Texas authorities removed everything except the religious material. After a few days of boredom I picked up a paperback book simply because it had the word “Prison” in the title.

As a 26-year old college-educated, alcoholic, drug selling Vietnam Vet I was introduced to the love of God as demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. No human being was directly involved; I simply read the book. I had no idea there even was a Holy Spirit, but He was doing His work of conviction and drawing. I knew nothing of a trinity, nothing of the “infallibility of Scripture,” zero about predestination, and “secondary separation” would have sounded like a terrible body wound. (Which, on reflection, it is if one capitalizes the “b” in Body). All I know is that on January 30, 1974, I confessed my sins, and turned to God. Though I did not break out in a cold sweat, nor had any outward manifestation, nor tears, I simply knew that Jesus was real, that I was His, and that He was truth.

Subsequently, I was sentenced to prison, did my time, got out and went to Bible school. On this journey, I became painfully familiar with the fact many Christians seem to exist for one purpose…to argue with other Christians.

In the two decades plus of striving to walk with Christ, I’ve not seen any improvement in the infighting. I am known to be opinionated and vocal. Too often I spill my thoughts before I think them through1 but as I reflect, I am sure there are only a few things for which I’ll go to the proverbial wall.

Paramount is the deity of Jesus. He was, is, and always has been God. You don’t believe that , I don’t call upon you for silent prayer, much less have religious fellowship with you. The fact that the death for Christ has paid in full for my redemption is non-negotiable. The physical resurrection of Jesus can not be denied.

The necessity of repentance and faith in the completed work of Jesus for salvation is etched in stone (Acts 26:17-18; 26:20). The reality of heaven and hell are based on the clear words of Christ (Matt. 25:46). The return of Christ is not only a glorious hope, but part and parcel to the gospel.

Well, what about 24 hour days of creation? Are you pre-post-a millennial? What about tongues? Can you lose it? What about Christian rock? Which version is trustworthy?

Folks, when the Vietcong were trying to kill me, I didn’t care a bit about the muzzle velocity of my M16 or 50 caliber, nor did I care about the relative merits of each. I just kept my head down and shot at the enemy. I sure didn’t shoot at another GI who preferred to use a captured AK! I just wanted to stay alive and negatively impact the enemy. Maybe that’s an apropos parallel to spiritual warfare?

What spawned this thought process? I am blessed to have a perpetual calendar of Max Lucado’s writings, and the one I just read is from this book, Six Hours One Friday. I have placed it on my desk and on my bathroom mirror to be a vital reminder:

Seek the simple faith. Major on the majors. Focus on the critical. Long for God.

Though too wordy for a Lucadoism, I add, “Although you may not always see eye to eye, walk hand in hand with others saved by grace.”