I'm going to Jail!

[seagullplayer]

Just got a call from our Senior Pastor, I have been asked to help with a local Jail ministry tonight. The guys that normally go are out of town, looks like I'm on deck. The Lord has been speaking to me about this for sometime, guess he was serious. I spoke with the Pastor that I'm going with, I was not sure what my "part" would be, he asked if I wanted to use his guitar or bring my own. Guess I know what I'm doing tonight.
Praise God!

Prayers are welcome!

[kewlpack]

Good luck and blessings!!!

I did some jail ministry up in Nebraska for awhile. It was both cool and intimidating at the same time.

I pray you'll find some sincerely open hearts there.

[Tim Kelly]

Seagull Player,

I have been volunteering to do mission work in Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the past four years. We normally spend one week in each country. Every year since I have been going, I have been asked to go the local prison. I had never done this before in my life. It was not until the first trip to the prison that I discovered we would be ministering to gypsies.

I thouht to myself “Not only do they not speak English, but these are some of the most cunning people in the world. Lord, why are you sending me here?”

When we arrived, they had free reign of the prison. I was scared. After we all gathered in the cafeteria, I saw how the local volunteers ministered to the gypsies. These men ministered with love and understanding. I knew why I was there.

Recently I too have been asked if I want to help with prison ministry. There is a new team being put together. A group of guys from different backgrounds and Christian faiths. What else could I say but, yes.

One piece of advice, pray and read the scriptures. Chances are you may be asked to share the Word. What you read prior to going is probably what the Spirit wants you to discuss.

God bless you in your endeavor. Let us know how it went.


Tim

[lockingnut]

You'll do fine. My outreach band's first gig was at the Canon City prison in Colorado, and it turned out pretty good. Even met a couple guitar playing buds I knew from a few years ago, they were in the other band playing with us. Had been meaning to look them up, so it was very cool. There were rules we had to follow, and had to be careful around the inmates, and there were all kinds. Some sat up front clapping, hooting & hollering, others couldn't care less. <like a regular gig>

[kewlpack]

I don't know why - but lockingnut reminded me of a gig I did back in '90 with the heavy metal band I was in (lead singer)... it was the wildest thing...

We played at an all-girl state penitentiary! :shock :shock Boy was that a show. Long haired hard rockers, in spandex, in front of an all-girl audience with NO barriers between us and the stage... then they rushed the stage so that they were maybe a foot away from us. Talk about crazy gigs... Whoa. :crazy

Wish people would get THAT excited when they hear the Gospel! Knowwhaddimean?

God bless u!

[seagullplayer]

Thanks guys, both services went great, mens and woman. Alot of tears and prayers. The Pastor that heads this up is a great man of God. He has been at this for years, he is commented to making sure they have somekind of Service every Thursday night at the Jail. His "regular" help was out of town due to a death in the family. I hope to get to help out on a somewhat regular basis. There are normally four of them that goto the jail each week. We are not sure about bring more than that, the Jail has been very good to the group, don't want to push our luck. They just started this ministry last November, so far it has went very well.
I'm kind of "on call" to help when needed, the Pastor even asked me if I would speak in his place sometime. A very humbling experience.
Glory be to God.

[Teleguy]

Great to hear.

I've been involved in Jail ministries off and on for about 25 years.
Ministering to the "doubly imprisoned" is rewarding.

[MrMike]

I'm kinda bummed. I'm on the board for a local homeless shelter/soup kitchen and have been allowed to go into the jail one Sunday a month to help lead a worship service in that capacity. My work schedule has prevented me from going for the last few months. We just got a new jail administrator (his predecessor was/is a very strong believer) who has implemented a new rule by which all visitors for Sunday services will have to be ordained pastors. :hissyfit

[Crunchyriff]

We just got a new jail administrator (his predecessor was/is a very strong believer) who has implemented a new rule by which all visitors for Sunday services will have to be ordained pastors.

aw, nevermind. sounds like a pretty subversive type to me.

[seagullplayer]

I'm kinda bummed. I'm on the board for a local homeless shelter/soup kitchen and have been allowed to go into the jail one Sunday a month to help lead a worship service in that capacity. My work schedule has prevented me from going for the last few months. We just got a new jail administrator (his predecessor was/is a very strong believer) who has implemented a new rule by which all visitors for Sunday services will have to be ordained pastors. :hissyfit

I have heard of that alot. I think it is a pretty common rule in larger jails. A friend of mine told me the leader of their group had to be an ordained minister. I am working on ordainiation, but it will be sometime before it is complete.