Glad & Sad Jail Ministry
An old fable tells of a man walking alone through
the desert when suddenly he heard a voice say, "Fill
your pockets with pebbles and tomorrow you will be both glad
and sad."
Curiously the man began to pick up pebbles and put them into
his pockets. As soon as he awoke the next morning, the man
reached into his pockets to find the pebbles had turned into
diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Just as he had been told, the
man was both glad and sad. He was glad for the jewels he now
had but sad that he had not collected more pebbles.
As believers we are to gather souls for the Kingdom of God.
Every soul is of great importance; for each one is precious
in the sight of God. Though we may see lost souls as pebbles,
God sees them as precious jewels.
It is true! Those of us working in jail ministry really do
believe every soul is precious to God. Our hearts beat to
pick up every pebble we can possibly reach.
Since we began in early spring of 2001 we have been able
to minister to literally thousands of inmates in the Wapello
County Jail. Many seeds have been planted and many lives are
growing in God. They and their families are being discipled
in the Thursday night "Once Lost
Now Found" group, the "Freedom" Sunday
school class and our Children's
Ministries.
In June of 2002 we began the new "Freedom" Sunday
school Class. Our goal here has been to bring into the church
those from Jail, prison and the "Once
Lost Now Found" class who might not otherwise
be comfortable in the more traditional classes.
We want to thank all of you who have supported us with your
prayers and finances, especially those who have so generously
supplied our need for Bibles. We have been able to freely
give new copies of the "Free On the Inside Bible"
to each new person both in the jail and in the Sunday morning
class. This book includes testimonies written by other prisoners
who have found their freedom in Jesus Christ as well as great
study helps and an explanation of the plan of salvation.
We welcome helpers! Just being a pen pal or furnishing rides
to church could be a wonderful blessing.
Matthew 25:35-40: "For I was hungry and
you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came
to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger
and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit
you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.' "
(Scripture taken from the NIV Study Bible.) |
You may contact us through
the church office. |
