So some of you may or may not know that my parents run a prison ministry called Revival in Prison Ministry.  My dad worked in the state prison system in Indiana for about 20 years, so he saw first hand the help and encouragement that was needed for these people who are locked up.  Despite their crimes, they are still humans – humans who long for love and belonging just like everyone else.  So my parents give them that.  They show them the unconditional agape love.  They show them the hope they have in life, that they are still loved by their creator and their fellow humans, that they still can have peace, love, and light in their lives.

My parents started getting involved in prison ministries by participating in an organization called Kairos.  Kairos puts on weekend retreats within prisons where the inmates can come and listen to sermons, have small group discussions, and be exposed to the peace and love that comes by having God in your life.

Now, most of you know that I don’t exactly declare to be a Christian anymore.  I was raised in the church, but I left it a few years ago due to a paradigm shift in my own belief system.  I still believe in Jesus and strive to live and love like him every day of my life.  But I could no longer live according to Christian dogma which, in my opinion, did not line up with the true message Jesus brought to this world.  So, you would think that I would be against things like what my parents are doing.  You’d think I’d just chalk it up to evangelical craziness and that they’re spreading an untrue message to these inmates.  But that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Though we may not agree theologically, though I may have my issues with the Christian church and what it’s chosen to represent these days, I am still so, SO proud of what my parents are doing in the prison systems.  I don’t think about the semantics of the message they are sharing with the inmates.  I don’t argue apologetics or feel that they’re leading these people away from the real Truth of how this world works.  I could argue my differences and say what I think they should be telling these inmates, but instead, I choose to focus on what it is they are sharing that we have in common.  My parents are spreading love, light, and hope to people who otherwise would have none, people who are in the deepest and darkest times of their lives, people who may never get out from behind the bars in which they’ve been placed (literally and metaphorically speaking).  And THAT is what matters.  The love and light they are spreading is more important than the semantics behind the message.

I bring all of this up now because as we speak, my father is in Michigan City, Indiana at the Indiana State Prison conducting a Kairos weekend for the male offenders who are on death row.  This is the first time Kairos has taken place on death row, and there was a lot of planning and red tape they had to get around in order for it to take place.  My father along with 25 other men are inside the prison serving 11 inmates who are on death row, in close, cramped, and hot quarters.  They will share Jesus’ message of love and hope.  They will encourage them with the knowledge that hundreds of people are praying for them as they show them the paper prayer chain where each link in the chain represents a person in prayer.  They will give them chocolate chip cookies to demonstrate agape love.  Most importantly, they will encourage them to forgive themselves for their wrongdoings, to learn to love themselves right where they’re at, and to find peace knowing that they are so loved and so worthy.

Do I think these men need to confess their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord of their lives in order for them to achieve eternal bliss in heaven?  No, I don’t.  I believe that heaven is here on earth.  It’s the surroundings we create by our attitudes and outlook on life.  What I DO believe in is the light and love my father and these other men are sharing with these death row offenders.  Giving these men hope and love and something to feel good about in life when their external circumstances are so dire, THAT is heaven on earth.  My father is raising these men’s vibrations.  He is taking them from a low, dark, miserable space, and giving them hope and love which raises them to a higher state of being.

Please keep my dad and these men (volunteers and offenders) in your thoughts and prayers for the remainder of the weekend.  Pray that hearts will be softened and that these men will open themselves up to the love that is surrounding them so that their hearts can heal.  Also, pray for the families of these offenders’ victims.  Pray that they receive healing and peace as well.

If you’d like to keep up with the weekend, you can follow my dad’s Facebook page Revival in Prison Ministry.  It’s truly amazing to see what’s going on behind those walls.  I am so proud of my dad.  Perhaps more proud than I’ve ever been, for it takes great strength, courage, and love to do what he is doing.  These are probably the roughest, toughest, and most closed-off men he’s ever worked with.  I pray that they open themselves up to him and his love.  That they allow him to make them laugh, one of his greatest gifts.  I know he is just showering them with love and joy.  I pray that they feel it and that they welcome it and allow themselves to be changed.  I’m thankful people like my parents and these other volunteers are on this earth.  I’m thankful for their ability to look past what these people have done and see them for what they truly are – beautiful, worthy children of God.