We Care Prison Ministry

Simple Grace has been privileged to participate in the We Care Prison Crusade every year for the past seven years. Joining with hundreds of other volunteers, we spend four days in Alabama prisons ministering to prison inmates.

Our first prison assignment was Donaldson. This is a security Level VI men's prison, and a last-minute decision by the warden allowed only adults over age 19 to enter. That left our family with Jim, Kathy, Avery and Lucas for a band! We limped a little, but the Lord met us and we were able to minister in spite of being few in number. All we really need is the Lord!

It can be intimidating to drive up to a prison institution. I wanted you to see the fences, razor wire, electric bars and guard towers that meet us on approach.

You may imagine that we totally bless the inmates when we come to minister. In reality, it is we who are blessed! Blessed by incarcerated Christians who stand out in a dark place, willing to be persecuted for their faith, giving a hope in hopeless situations, expressing joy in sad circumstances, and encouraging US in our ministry. It is LOUD in prison! They stand up to applaud! They shout AMEN, and laugh and cry. It is real there. And those who just don't know God for sure hear the truth. A blessing to give and receive. . .

Last night we sang at Holman Prison. There was an inmate execution scheduled for 6:00 pm, while we were there ministering. It was a somber time for all of us. Actually, it was miraculous that the Warden would let a ministry enter the institution at all during a scheduled execution. Our Chaplain had a time of silence in honor of the inmate when we began at 5:30, and we proceeded with our concert. We were told the inmate had surrendered his life to Christ. I must admit, we all watched the clock minute by minute. At 6:00, our family exchanged glances discreetly. It began storming outside; lightening and thunder and wind. There was an intense storm, and before our scheduled ending time, the service was stopped and the inmates put into lock-down because of the severe weather. We were told after the inmates left that the execution was stayed by the Governor. The reality of matters of life and death is forefront in prison. Physical and spiritual life and death. Very sobering.

"Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."

(Psalm 139:16)

We carried our equipment out of Holman during the peak of that storm. Some said they had never seen rain like that in their life! We had precious help from the volunteers, but the boys got drenched!! Above is Sterling emptying the equipment cart.

I took this photo out the window of the bus as the guys finished packing up! It was raining so hard, they could hardly keep their eyes open. Hope we can get their suits dry for the upcoming concert!

Next week we will participate in South Carolina's Prison Crusade. Please pray for health and safety for our family. We have had some health issues affecting our voices. We are weary from a busy week, but we don't wish to rest in any diesel shop!! (Thy Will be done, Lord.)

Thank you for sharing in our adventure with the Lord!