Ripple Effect

Throughout our time doing prison ministry, we've seen many men and women come and go. We've known some for only a short time and others for years. God grants us the opportunity each week to go and encourage them. We get to spend time sharing and studying the word together and praying for each other. Their hunger for God's word and desire to live in community is unlike any other I've experienced. Each year, the prison allows us a day to hold a church service and do baptisms. Our pastor comes and speaks with all of them individually on the decision to follow Christ. 

After he baptisms them, he spends time encouraging them on finding a community and church that will walk alongside them as they re-enter society. He always welcomes them into our church should they end up here in St. Louis. I love that he embraces them as his brothers and sisters, longing for them to have a personal relationship with Christ.

This spring, one of the men was released. The following Sunday, he came to church. Everyone at church rejoiced with him and shared in his joy of being free. Not just free from the physical barriers, but free from his past and the things that held him back. He continued to come each Sunday; soon, he joined the men's Bible study and the evangelism group. He had a deep desire to put Christ first and to surround himself with a Godly group of friends. People to hold him accountable, to do life with him, to encourage him, and to pray with him as he walked through the unknown. 

Two week ago, I watched as his wife decided to follow Jesus. What a joy he had when she finally stepped out and made that decision. The ripple effect of Christ at work is incredibly evident. I love getting to be a small part of what God's doing here in this community. It's such a joy to watch someone pursue Christ and to lead others to Christ.  God is definitely at work in the prison in a big way. The men hold daily prayer and worship times. They study the word everyday and really challenge each other to grow in their faith. It doesn't matter that there are only 2 or 3 Bibles in each cell of about 40 people. They make sure that everyone gets to hear the word and study on their own.