Monday, September 7, 2009

1 in 100 living behind bars


It is now reported that 1 in 100 persons in the United States is living in a correctional institute of some kind. When you factor in that each of these has a family in crisis due to the incarceration of their loved one and you begin to get the picture of the need. These people are locked away because society has determined that their sin is so great that they can not live out in society with the rest of us. God has a very different view of sin. He says that we have all sinned and come short of His Glory. When he looks down, he does not see big sin and little sin he only sees sin. Those behind bars are no more needing of a redeemer than the rest of us. We have all fallen short.

There are many ways that you can reach those behind bars with the gospel and start a ripple that will not only change their lives but generations to come. The most direct way is to volunteer, contact your local jail or prison and enquire about opportunities to share the gospel with those living there. Secondly encourage your church to start a jail ministry. Thirdly support an existing ministry, we saw 18 men saved last week in the Osceola County Jail. This is only possible because of the prayers and financial support of people like you. I encourage you to pray and see what part God would have you to take in this important area of outreach.

Pastor Jay McCaig

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