Last Thursday I flew up to Atlanta Georgia to join 224 other volunteers for a Bill Glass prison ministry event to go into 8 correctional facilities. It began early Friday morning and ended on Saturday. I gave my testimony at a very large facility in Gwinnett Co. Georgia. I spoke at different cell blocks, (5 times on Friday and 2 times on Saturday morning).
Then I flew down to Orlando that afternoon to preach at the Orlando 1st Baptist Church. I preached all three services which began with their Saturday night service and then two services on Sunday morning. Altogether I would estimate that over 10,000 people were in attendance, (and it was televised and streamed over the Internet).
It was interesting to observe the difference when speaking to the unsmiling, tough-looking, mostly tattooed inmates in their blue, orange, or green jumpsuits in their foreboding and austere setting complete with concrete, steel bars, and razor wire. It contrasted quite dramatically with the services held at one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in the country with its huge beautiful sanctuary.
The Saturday night service at 1st Baptist consisted of smiling people wearing blue jean attire and being treated to contemporary music in a somewhat casual setting. The first service Sunday morning was mostly smiling dignified folks wearing traditional suits and ties, lots of silver and blue hair, large orchestra and massive choir, and old time Gospel songs that I could sing from memory. The second Sunday morning service was a mixture of smiling young to middle aged folks wearing suits and ties and business-casual dress, great music with praise team, and a terrific band. (It will be online on their website in about a week if you wish to view it.)
The weekend results were incredible! At the 2 day Bill Glass event there were 2323 decisions made for Christ, and 1000 of those first time decisions. As for my part, something inconceivable happened; all 7 times that I spoke literally every inmate that heard my story came forward to find out how Jesus Christ could change their lives too. Many had tears streaming down their faces as they came forward. I was stunned and flabbergasted that 100% came forward.
As would be expected at a church, not all came forward during the invitation, but many folks did. The type of service didn’t seem to matter because at the conclusion of all 3 services folks also came forward and the same thing occurred as in the prisons with several people coming down the aisles with tears streaming down their faces as they publically took their stand for Christ. (Note: Smiles of joy replaced those tears and lit up their faces when they felt the power of the Holy Spirit touch their lives.)
Whew! I ended up giving my testimony 10 times in three days . . .
Last night my legs cramped all night long and this morning my ankles are swollen and I’m talking with a raspier than normal tone to my voice, but I feel great! What a wonderful weekend with many fond memories of things that happened, including the many hundreds of one-on-one conversations with various individuals who came up to me after I spoke each time. I wish I could share each of them with you.
So, what did you do this weekend?
Is your heart filled with joy and fond memories of seeing the power of God change lives this morning? Or do you still have a slight hangover and maybe a little better golf game?
This morning I received the following comment from one of my readers: “In the past two weeks, radical Islamists have murdered hundreds of Christians around the world. Entire families, including children, are being slaughtered in their homes, churches and public gatherings . . .”
Yikes! I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ openly without getting killed for so doing. I’ll take the swollen ankles thank you very much.
People are suffering, are discouraged, have serious, seemingly insurmountable problems, and have lost all hope for any kind of future. God can change all of that for them, but they need to hear the word of God to understand that concept and you could be a part of that. There are millions of ministries from which to choose and one or more will undoubtedly fit you perfectly.
If you just would . . .
Yes, there may be some people who think you’ve lost your sanity, ridicule, or even get mad at you for wanting to go to a prison ministry event or similar happening instead of going partying with them, but the Lord will bless you beyond your comprehension as He did me this weekend. Join His all-volunteer army.
God wants you!
The hours are long and working conditions, including prison food 🙂 are sometimes not all that great, but the pay and benefits are awesome . . .
Luke 10:1
Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves” . . .
October 7, 2013 – Click here to listen