Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/89

Contributor - Patty Wagner

Title - Prison Ministry - an Inside View

Topic - Outreach

Editor's Note.- In the September 1989 issue of Pioneer Christian Monthly you read about Christians who were going to jail because of their involvement in "illegal' pro-life activities. We have a one of these people to write an article and speak of her experience, but mostly to focus on the opportunity for ministry to those in our counties prisons. This is her account.

This summer I had a very unique opportunity for prison ministry -- I went to jail! After much prayer and careful thought, I obeyed what I personally considered to be a strong call by the Holy Spirit to "rescue those being led away to death" (Proverbs 24: 11). On April 27, 1989 myself and four others placed our bodies between the unborn and the Every woman's Health (abortion) Clinic in Vancouver, B.C. Our two and a half hour rescue was very peaceful and dignified and we -were well treated by the Vancouver police. As I knew would happen, I spent the majority of the summer in prison, twelve days in a medium security jail and three months in a minimum security correctional centre. I knew that God wanted me to "speak up" for the unborn and for expecting mothers, but I never realized I was entering the mission field of women in prison.

After the initial culture shock and spiritual high "from the rescue and the trial) we found ourselves to be high profile Christians in an anti-Christian atmosphere. It was a relief to be known as "strongly religious" women, but it was also a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week challenge to live worthy of the title "Christi&'. I was most often at peace with my surroundings and my decision to block the clinic. There were also moments of loneliness and insecurity, but even that amount of suffering early increased my faith in God and my love for Him. God was so quick to strengthen me, to provide for my needs and to surround me with His love and comfort -- I'll never forget how good God was and is to me!

At first some women were hostile towards us because of our "active" pro-life position and also because we had invaded their territory. I guess they saw us as a threat to their prison hierarchy and they were afraid we would "shove God down their throats". Imagine the shame and horror of being sent to jail for committing a crime and finding out you have to do your time with a group of "religious fanatics". I often felt that they were more threatened by us than we were by them. However, after a short space of time, these ladies warmed up to us; as we lived and worked together they gradually got to know and trust us. We soon became aware of the fact that these women needed us to listen to them and be their friends. Without this simple yet fundamental step we knew there would be no other opportunities for ministry.

As we befriended these ladies many of them opened up to us, sharing the sad-stories of their pasts and the rejection and abuse they had suffered. I was introduced to a side of life that I had never seen or come in contact with before. Drugs, prostitution and sexual abuse by boyfriends, the welfare cycle, and being single parents at very young ages, were an common threads in these women's lives. Not all these women had such pathetic backgrounds, but those that did were most open to us and our attempts to befriend them.

As we were more accepted by the general inmate population we were able to be more bold about our faith with certain women. I was able to have my guitar while in jail and the other ten or so pro-life ladies and I gathered together often to sing songs of praise and worship. The nonChristian inmates were very attracted by our music and they would drop by our rooms to join in or ' just sit and listen. I knew my musical talents were a precious gift from God and I had always desired to use them for His glory, but I never foresaw the unique manner in which this would come to pass.

We also had the opportunity to pray with our new friends about the many needs in their lives, especially physical problems and sickness. Many of our prayers were answered and the seeds of faith were being planted in these ladies. Several women joined us for Sunday morning and evening worship services, and at weeknight Bible studies they heard the word of God and the good news of Jesus Christ. Again my voice and guitar came in handy, and even when I felt tired of what seemed like endless requests to sing, God provided me with the grace and strength to go that extra mile. It was a good opportunity to learn the lesson of saying no to myself and yes to God:

It was very exciting to see how God used the many different personalities and gifts of the Christians in jail. It was also encouraging to see how our talents and abilities, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, truly complimented each other. Just as we were about to go home after our three months of "seed planting" and prayer, a new pro-rife sister arrived with a fire for evangelism. Within a week of our departure two inmates had made commitments to the Lord.

My ability to be involved in prison ministry as one inmate to another was, of course, a unique opportunity. It gave me a special understanding of the needs of women in jail for Christian outreach. The M2/W2 program is an excellent one-to-one ministry which I saw in operation and which I am very interested in being a part of when I am able. There is often a shortage of M2/W2 workers and their outreach is a vital service to the inmates.

I also saw a lack of quality church services for the inimates. I realize that this is not necessarily the fault of church. The correctional system tightly controls the number of services' and persons allowed into the prisons. However, churches that are not able to hold services can often provide other activities such as gym nights, baseball games, singalong's and more. Such positive events can facilitate excellent chances for befriending inmates and sharing God's love with them. Those churches fortunate enough to be allowed in to hold services should be very aware of the fact that many inmates have little or no church background. "Christianese" should be avoided as well as complicated theological discussions. A mix of more contemporary songs with well known hymns is most likely to attract non-believers. As always, we Christians should give our best efforts to God and seek to please Him in all we do.

We may not all be able, as I was, to rejoice in being "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts .4 we all can rejoice in the wondrous love God has for us and we can share that love in practical, caring ways. "We love because He first loved US." (I John 4:19) "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as ff you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3) "the King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matt. 25:40)

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