Prison Ministry -     The following is a brief synopsis of a recent Prison Fellowship event held at
  Orleans Correctional in Albion NY. The event is to be a three day event that
  has been in the planning stages for several months. We will be doing the second
  half of a video presentation. The material is from John Eldrige entitled  Fathered by God. It deals with six stages of the masculine journey   from beloved son to sage. The primary focus is on allowing God to father  men in ways our earthly fathers never did or never could. For many of these men  this information will be life changing. 
    Can something like this just  happen unopposed? Can something like this just happen without dedicated  volunteers who are committed to the cause and refuse to be dismayed? Absolutely
not. After all we have been doing this a long time. Should be easy by now,
right? 
    First attack. A long time  volunteer’s name is mysteriously omitted from the gate clearance list. The  officer will not allow her in. Her name was submitted for this event weeks
earlier but now can not be found. 
   Second attack. Permission to take  in DVD’s was granted for this seminar. The officer can’t find them on his list.  Remember this is a video based curriculum.  The DVD’s are the heart of this
seminar. After a discussion with the officer of the watch permission is granted.
The DVD.s can go in.
   Third attack. After winning the  battle to get the DVD’s in we now find out that the DVD player to be supplied by  the facility is locked up in the Chaplain’s office. She is not in the facility
and will not be with us until tomorrow morning. There will no video presentation
this evening. 
    We have learned to expect  this opposition in Prison Ministry. The Holy Spirit meets us in a gymnasium that  is now a sanctuary for the next three days. Over forty men have turned out for a  time of encounter with the Living God. The hearts of many are touched.
Discouragement and darkness flees. Joy and strength in God are restored. This is
why we have come. God’s plan will not be  undone.
    Fourth attack. After a great  evening we finally arrive at the gate to leave. These are electric doors that  can only be opened by an officer from inside. The first door will not open if
the second was not properly closed. Usually we hear one loud click and then the
door can be opened. This evening we just hear a strange series of repeated
clicks. The door will not open. We can not leave. This goes on for several
minutes. Finally an officer comes out and closes the first door. With great
relief we now hear the loud click and our freedom is granted. Behind us though
are many men who will not know freedom this night. After a time of prayer
outside the facility we go our separate ways for the evening. Tomorrow will be
another day to serve. God will meet us again. He does not disappoint. Forty one men
will hear the Word of God. Lives have been changed.
     I write this not to  discourage those who might consider being involved with Prison Fellowship. I  write it as an encouragement. The rewards far outweigh the cost. We need to
remain determined. We need to remain committed to the Gospel. This ministry will
go on. God will be glorified if we do not give  up.