Seattle, Angola, And Home

I have been home about an hour from a prison ministry trip to Angola. This follows a return from Seattle WA on Tuesday. It hit me this morning how polar opposite those two places are.

My heart is full. I have read four books, the Bible, portions of other books, and several articles. I have finished preparations for two messages tomorrow. I begin two series: One on Marriage ABC's and another creative presentation based on "Mythbusters." We will cover some myths and legends of the Bible. I am so looking forward to both.

I have done much thinking on preaching, ministry, church life, evangelism, and prison ministry.

Because this post could go on forever, I now focus on one topic because it is more immediate. It is based on some questions asked of me about our Angola prison ministry trip this weekend. (For those of you "demanding" more blog entries, feast your eyes:)

This event we attended is an annual event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. We conducted revival services adn visited on one in the dorms, yards, and in other areas. This was the first visit for myself and a few other men, though some of our men went last year. There are other similar events planned by the Convention for later this year, among them a ministry event at a ladies facility.

Angola Prison has gone from one of the bloodiest prisons in America to one of the safest. I was curious about the changes there, so I inquired of a few inmates. To a man, they give the power of the Lord and Warden Burl Cain the credit. One does not often hear inmates praising the warden. The atmosphere there is different because he believes in faith based education and rehabilitation. New Orleans Seminary has a campus there. I was taken on rounds of the prison by one of the inmate ministers who is pastor of one of the churches. He has been there 27 years, but his heart is alive with the power of Jesus.

One thing we are asked to do on behalf of the ward, the inmates, and the chaplains, is to exert influence in the LA legislature over parole laws. Many of the men at Angola have no chance for parole. They'd like to at least get a shot at a hearing. That's all. To do this, the law must be changed. Some Legislators feel to advocate change would make them look soft on crime. Isn't part of prison supposed to be rehabilitation? What of a man who gets his life right, learns a trade or skill, and learns to behave himself? Should he not at least get a chance to be considered to be a productive member of society. I'll say more about this in later blog posts. I am thinking of a William Wilberforce type stance I may need to take on this issue. (Historical note: William Wilberforce was tireless, lone voice for the abolition of slavery before the English Parliament. He eventually won his case.)

I have challenged our men to consider prison ministry at a facility that is near our hometown. We go across the state to minister; we can go across the Parish as well.

Finally, as I noted elsewhere, I felt such a freedom and power in worship with the inmates and volunteers. It is ironic there is so much freedom behind bars. Would that this freedom be found in all churches, and mine as well!