Turning Point Prison Ministry
Missouri church proclaims Gospel in a half-dozen prisons across three states
In the Bible accounts may be found of the Lord miraculously freeing preachers from prisons. However, several members of a Missouri church are experiencing an opposite phenomenon as they find themselves being put into prisons by the power of God.
As with most any step of faith, there was some of the normal fear and trepidation when Wilson Creek Baptist Church near Springfield, Mo. first stepped her toes into the murky waters of prison ministry in 1999. Today, what began as the pastor and one of his men occasionally preaching in a single prison has been expanded to 15 church members proclaiming the Gospel to thousands of inmates in a half-dozen prisons in three states. They call it "Turning Point Prison Ministries."
When encountered with the testimonies of Pastor Randall Moody and Associate Pastor Rick Jaquess related to Turning Point it quickly becomes obvious that the Lord is incredibly empowering the ministry. For instance, the more than $5,000 annual expenses associated with the ministry are always covered by unsolicited donations, most of which are given by people from around the U.S. who are strangers to the church.
The power of God is also evident in how the church has been able to get into so many correctional facilities. Ministry teams from Wilson Creek proclaim the Gospel at prisons located Fordland, Fulton, Jefferson City and Springfield, Mo.; Newport, Ark.; and McLoud, Okla. The Lord has enabled the church to develop contacts in several prisons with officials in leadership roles, but Moody and Jaquess have also maintained persistence in knocking on doors to be allowed in. Nothing to do with prison ministry seems to mix with timidity.
Another way the Lord has manifested his omnipotence in Turning Point is in raising up fervently dedicated members within the church to join the ministry. Ministering in the prisons requires eight hours of annual training, drug and medical testing, often long hours of travel, handling what can be an intimidating and stressful environment, and, for some, taking vacation days from work. While it must be fun to see the look on the boss's face the first time one requests a vacation day to go to prison, folks who are willing to generate the faith and make the sacrifices necessary to engage in prison ministry don't grow on trees anywhere.
Some ladies of the church also participate in Turning Point, ministering at the women's prison in McLoud.
"We can drive four hours to a prison and not be allowed in because they're having a lockdown," Moody revealed. "Fortunately, that's a rare thing, but we have been in prisons when lockdowns occur causing us to have to be confined to day rooms for several hours."
Among the numerous sweet fruits from God produced through the ministry is the spiritual growth infused into the hearts and lives of participating church members. This, in turn, creates a stronger and more blessed church.
Of course, the most dramatic and terrific manifestation of God's power through Turning Point are the souls saved through the time and efforts. Although those who participate in the ministry are fully aware of the potential for false professions, there's evidence of scores of genuine salvation decisions every year.
"We know that some only come to the services because it gets them some extra time out of their cells," Moody commented. "Some are using the system, but we go to do God's will."
Moody and Jaquess have had numerous inmates tell them that they thank God for being in prison because of getting saved through the services. There's really no hope of carnal gain for them in saying such things. Indeed, several who have given such testimonies will never be released from prison.
"In prison many people realize they have a need and are looking for answers," Jaquess related. "We're able to show them those answers from the Bible."
Moody remembers asking an inmate, "Is it difficult being a Christian in prison?"
"No," the inmate replied, "Unless you're a hypocrite."
The prisoner went on to explain that professing Christians who genuinely strive to obey God and live by the Bible are typically not harassed by other inmates; however, those claiming Christianity who engage in sinfulness become targets.
As far as any peril associated with prison ministry, both Moody and Jaquess are quick to point out that no one participating has felt threatened.
"We are always in teams of three or four in dealing with people," Moody said. "Through our training and experience we've learned how to keep out of shaky situations."
Moody explained that such situations can be more the result of naiveté on the part of those ministering than anything else. The typical church member isn't used to dealing with individuals possessing the mindsets and methods of much of the prison population. For instance, few independent Baptists will ever encounter someone of the same sex who is interested in them romantically, yet those who minister in prisons must be on the alert for such overtures.
Interestingly, in this era when dress and appearance are becoming increasingly casual and decreasingly modest in churches, all the prisons where Wilson Creek ministers require a stricter dress code for inmates when they attend services.
"Generally, there's a good response to the preaching," Moody reported.
One of his most exciting preaching opportunities occurs during "Friday Movie Night" at the facility in Fulton. Moody is in the room by himself with the inmates and is required to wear a body alarm. There are 16 security cameras throughout the room. Before the Christian film is played he preaches on the required theme of "What Went Wrong?"
"A Baptist preacher has no trouble at all preaching on that theme," Moody laughed. "I've preached a lot of different messages now using that same theme."
One of Moody's desires is to see more independent Baptist churches become involved in jail and prison ministries. While fundamental prison evangelism ministries exist, there are many more correctional facilities than such evangelists. Hundreds of New Testament Churches throughout the U.S. are located near prisons and other correctional facilities which have no outreach to this section of their Jerusalem.
"It has to be something you want to do," he stated. "There must be a willing spirit. It requires determination and dedication."
It also requires the power of God.
Remember, the same Almighty God Who freed preachers from prisons can also get them into prisons.
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