Pen-pal writers

Did you know that the heart can take you to places our feet can not travel? In the Gospel of Matthew 25: 35-40, Jesus clearly tells us that we are to visit those who are in prison. It is with fervent prayers and hope that you will feel the call to do exactly that as you search through your heart. I am in search of volunteers to become pen-pals to many of our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated in our prison systems. People who are willing to provide Christian friendship and encouragement to those behind bars who need a prayer, a compassionate heart, a listening ear, an encouraging word, a true friend. The Hispanic community is growing rapidly and we desperately need volunteers who can read and write in Spanish.

With no intent to belittle our prison system, nor the men and women who work hard and put themselves at risk day in and day out, I think it is safe to say that real and true restoration and reformation can only begin from within. From the inside. It begins with an acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to start those changes. Due to the continuous hard work of those already working as Chaplains in our Correctional Facilities, there are many who have made a commitment to living for our Savior. But they still need a friend to encourage them in their studies and daily walk. No different than those of us who are living on the outside of those prison walls. There are yet many others who are still searching for Him and His love. Those who are on the very fringe of making that decision and only need the gentle urging of a friend. A simple act of kindness is sometimes all it takes. Jesus tells us to visit those who are in prison. I strongly believe, as a Christian community, we need to call upon His strength and ask to be filled with an urgency and a tenacity to get the task done. An urgency and tenacity that will be stronger than those used by religions other than Christianity. Religions that are rising in numbers each and every day. I don't know about you, my brothers and sisters, but I don't want to be someone standing before the Lord trying to explain how I just dropped the ball when I had the opportunity of sharing the message of Salvation and Redemption. 

Jesus knew what he was talking about when he told us to visit those who are in prison. Because most people who are in prison are forgotten people. Most often times deserted by family, friends, and former loved ones. They have become the least, the lost, and the lonely. Sadly, I know that there are many who wouldn't consider a prison to be a "vineyard" because it is full of criminals or full of sinners.  But, whatever the sin, is it any less forgiveable than the ones we ourselves have?  I believe that the 9th chapter of Matthew's Gospel has two verses that speaks directly to this.  Verse 13 says, "For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  Then verses 36-37 says, "When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."   Remember my brothers and sisters, Jesus did not come to start religion...religion was already with us in the Sadducees and Pharisees.  Jesus came to show us what faith is.  I am asking and will continue to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into this harvest field. I believe we need to move, even into the darkest of places, to bring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to ALL people. "Salvation through Christ is not a religion; Salvation through Christ is a relationship" and there are plenty of people living behind those prison walls who need that relationship. Won't you consider being a messanger to help show the way? The scriptures tell us that all of heaven rejoices at the repentence of one sinner. (Luke 15:7) Join us in the task of making heaven rejoice.