by Christy Hoagland
We have the great opportunity to see many offenders come to faith in Christ and receive this Gospel we bring to them – salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Since we do weekly services, we get to see these new lives grow – and sometimes, we get a glimpse of the precious work and effect of the Holy Spirit in one life used to change another inside and outside the razor wire. Here are just a few of the sweet and mighty things the Lord is doing.
Just this week a young man in one of our services told me that an offender that had left prison a few months ago started serving in a church, his wife alongside him, they then visited the girlfriend of this young man and got her involved in their church and she is now teaching Sunday School in this church!
We had the honor to do an event for Alcoholics Victorious in Rolla, MO last month. After the service, a couple told us that their son was incarcerated and had a 25 year sentence, that he found Jesus in jail and is holding Bible Studies and more in prison. Not only that…but their son led both of them (his parents) to faith in Jesus while incarcerated! Glory! This couple, having just buried their daughter last year due to a heroin overdose, is serving the Lord and reaching out to others with the Gospel.
Offenders are telling their loved ones at home that they are praying and that others are praying and then they are seeing those prayers answered – faith increased!
A man we met at a Celebrate Recovery service in Monett joined our prayer team, he prays fervently for these men and their needs and has testified that his relationship with the Lord and his prayer life has been strengthened through praying for the incarcerated.
This is only the tip of the iceberg…in the last week alone we witnessed 26 or more men’s lives changed through the power of the Gospel – and we wait in anticipation to witness the continual sanctification of each one.
Chains of bondage broken, lives made new, families restored, the Gospel proclaimed, more souls Heaven bound, communities changed…and so much more – what are you waiting for? Share the Gospel with someone today – the outcome is more glorious than you can imagine.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
“And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:32
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:16
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8
Christy Hoagland 