Even behind bars, God’s grace sets hearts free.
I first met Mr. Smith when he attended a Bible class at one of the institutions where I am called to serve. During a private pastoral visit with Mr. Smith, he willingly confessed to me the sin he had committed that resulted in him being sentenced to life behind bars. He knew that we was suffering the consequences for the sinful choices he had made.
However, by God's grace, the Holy Spirit found Mr. Smith behind the walls of prison and gave to him the gift of faith. With a smile on his face, Mr. Smith now confesses Jesus as his one and only Savior. Even though he will spend the rest of his earthly life in prison, Mr. Smith knows that because of Jesus, he is enjoying freedom behind bars.
Galations 5:1 proclaims the Good News that Mr. Smith now believes: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Through our Savior, Jesus Christ, he found freedom behind bars.
There are many walled-in souls like Mr. Smith whom our ministry is privileged to serve. Your loving support of Institutional Ministries makes it possible to share the Good News "that Christ has set us free with people like Mr. Smith.
You may not yet know them, but by the grace of God, you and I will someday be together with them in the perfect freedom of heaven. This fall, please consier partnering with us to share the Good News "that Christ has set us free. It is a freedom that reaches behind bars and beyond to heaven.
-Chaplain Daniel Schmidt