Four years ago today I had this post on Facebook: Spent the day in jail... But then they made me leave.... Probably 'fraid I'd take the place over...
But hey, if you are a church, ministry or Christian in Southcentral
Alaska, there is plenty of ministry opportunities at Goose Creek. And
the guys I met today in the Faith Wing are some of the most solid
believers I've ever met...
And here's the update for today:
Four years ago today I stepped into Goose Creek Correctional Center for the very first time. Since then I have led 10 rounds of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University attended by almost 200 men total. I also was part of the launch and now lead the God Behind Bars ministry with 150 - 170 (we've broke the 200 mark a couple of times) men coming out each week for service. James Saxon comes out with me on Friday and then goes back into the Special Management Unit (SMU) on Saturday to share the service with another 35-45 men. The highlight of our GBB ministry was last February when Central Church sent Drew Bodine, G-BLEST and the rest of the Central Live worship team and over 400 people packed out the gym for a worship service.
I've also led a couple of rounds of John Bevere's
Bait of Satan bible study but had to drop it due to time constraints.
Additionally I've attended multiple baptism services (we've seen almost
200 men take the dunk) and preached a couple of Sundays services.
I've had some incredibly high times and a few low times, just like any other endeavor; but it's been worth it.
I would like to see the churches of the MatSu Valley support and
participate in ministry to these 1,500 inmates more. While we have some
incredibly dedicated volunteers, there's still so many more
opportunities to have an impact. But I suppose every para-church leader
and missionary has that same thought about whatever it is they are
doing. And most churches and Pastors already feel pulled a hundred
different directions...
The administration and staff of the Alaska Department of Corrections at GCCC are incredibly accommodating when they can be and I always appreciate their hospitality.
Because we all come and go at different times, I rarely see the other
volunteers that also come in through out the week. But I'm thankful for
their dedication and service. All of us who minister at GCCC do so as
volunteers, including our facility chaplains who are out there almost
full time. And of course there's our Statewide Chaplaincy Coordinator JD Duncan who tirelessly works behind the scenes to make it all happen.
