Across the UK, our prisons workers are sharing Jesus’ love through courses, 1-2-1s and chapel services. We caught up with Owain and Jo in Wales to hear just a few stories of what God has been doing.
Full of joy and peace
One man Owain has been working with is Peter*. He said he wanted to come along to an Alpha course but, because of his anxiety, found being in a group setting too much. Chatting to Owain, they decided to go through the Alpha course on a 1-2-1 basis instead. During the third session, Peter said, ‘I know about Jesus in my head but I want to know him in my heart’, so there and then he invited Jesus into his life.
Since then, he’s been telling Owain how different and new he feels! He’s now full of joy and peace, and says he gets a warm feeling when he reads the Bible. Thank God for this transformation and join us in praying that Peter would keep enjoying learning about Jesus and journeying with him.
Turning things around
Owain has also been working with Darren*, a regular member of the church in the prison and a huge encouragement to those he meets. Darren knew he’d need more structure and support on his release to keep walking with Jesus and not fall back into destructive patterns. So Owain was able to help Darren get a place in a Christian rehab and, from there, Darren has gone from strength to strength.
He’s now working as a support worker and is full of gratitude to God. He loves seeing how God is using him to help tell others about Jesus and his goal is to share his testimony one day at a chapel service in prison to encourage other people like him. Please pray for Darren as he continues to grow in faith, and that his sons would also accept Jesus into their lives.
Seeing miracles
Prisons worker Jo recently met Dan* who was just moved from a prison where Owain works. Dan really wanted to get involved in Alpha but after missing a few sessions, the team thought he wasn’t coming any more. Jo went to go and check on him because she really felt like he should be at the upcoming Alpha’s Holy Spirit Day. It turned out Dan had been in segregation which is why he hadn’t been able to come to some of the previous sessions, and he’d only just got back to his cell right before Jo came to find him. After chatting, Dan shared how he’d really like to continue with Alpha.
On the Holy Spirit Day, Dan had forgotten the start time and gone to the education area of the prison as usual. When he and some others were being let into the classroom, he found a piece of paper on the floor saying, ‘This is a reminder for Dan to be in chaplaincy for the Holy Spirit Day’! Dan was so confused how this paper had got there. The paper had been waiting inside the room, it was white, but reminder slips in the prison are always pink, and the note had been printed at 6:56am before the person who writes them logged on. Dan was convinced this was a miracle showing how God really wanted him to be in the room for the Holy Spirit Day! He rushed over and really enjoyed the whole day and powerfully met God during the response time.
Join us in lifting Dan up in prayer, that he would continue to see how God’s love is chasing him and that he’d be ready to invite Jesus into his life.
