Pray. Please pray that the Lord would work through our team visiting the three local state prison units with the Bill Glass Behind the Walls organization.
The 2023 Day of Champions, postponed from September due to a state-wide prison lock-down, is two week away. On Friday, Dec. 15, about 170 volunteers will gather at North End Baptist Church to prepare, then on Saturday the 16th these volunteers will spend the day at one of three units, sharing the gospel with inmates. While athletes and entertainers share their stories of how Christ has impacted their lives, our volunteers will present the gospel and help launch the discipleship process for those who respond. A few of our teammates will likely visit the segregation units so inmates unable to attend the event might also hear the gospel.
But why is this a priority for GTBN? Let me suggest several reasons.
First, given the Lord’s words in Matthew 25, ministry with those in prison should never be taken lightly. While the call to proclaim Christ extends to all the world, neglect of the stranger, sick, poor, and prisoner is serious. Remember the Lord’s words, “As you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Second, there’s the practical matter of equipping Christians to share their faith. As a matter of full-disclosure, the Bill Glass organization describes themselves as an evangelism training ministry rather than a prison ministry. And there’s no better way to equip Christians for evangelism to bring them into a setting where, with coaching and support, they actually present the gospel. Having shared Christ behind the walls, many begin to do so among their friends and neighbors.
Finally, I can think of no better way to demonstrate our cooperation as a network of churches than to combine our efforts around the gospel. The local prison units represent a ministry challenge our churches share. Most of the offenders will be released some day, many into our own communities. We serve these individuals, as well as our neighbors and one another, when we join forces to make disciples within these units. It’s a great way to show we’re better together!
I look forward to celebrating with you the fruit from the weekend. In the meantime, please pray that the Lord would work through His servants, that His gospel would be clearly spoken, and that He will receive much glory from the response.
And lock in September 27-28, 2024 for the next Beaumont Day of Champions!
Blessings,
Bro. Jim