Each week, men and women in prison are responding to the good news of Jesus. We caught up with our prisons workers in Wales to hear some of the stories of transformation and hope.
The team recently headed into a prison to lead a chapel service for the men there. As part of it, team member Gary shared from the Bible about the man lowered through the roof to Jesus and encouraged the men to think about how much faith the friends of the man had. Gary then shared the gospel and asked if anyone wanted to respond. Eleven men raised their hands and gave their life to Jesus. Prisons worker Emma was able to connect with them and get them plugged into the discipleship courses that she runs where she’s able to build relationships with those in prison and also share more about Jesus.
One man Emma has been getting to know through these courses is Pete*. He’s been coming along to the Christianity Explored course and has been growing in his faith saying it’s his ‘anchor in a very uncertain time’. He told Emma, that, as a peer support person for other lads in prison, he has been grabbing the opportunity to share his new faith, saying how much God has strengthened him and given him new purpose in life.
Prisons worker Owain has also been seeing people’s lives changed by Jesus. He’s been getting to know Rhys* who he invited along to an Alpha course in prison. Rhys felt that, because of his autism, he would struggle being in a group environment so Owain has been meeting up with Rhys to do the Alpha session 1:1. During the last session, Rhys gave his life to Jesus saying, ‘I feel so much peace and I can feel God speaking to me.’
As well as leading worship services, courses and Bible studies in prison, our team also supports men and women who’ve been released from prison in their resettlement. Recently, Emma met up again with Lewis* who’s been in and out of prison for 20 years. Whilst he was in prison, Lewis accepted Jesus into his life, and he’s now determined to make positive changes in his life. He told Emma that he’s started going along to church each week and has signed up to volunteer on a team too. ‘I’ve even brought my housemate along to church with me and I really hope he’ll come back with me next week,’ Lewis told Emma.
Please do be praying for Rhys, Pete and Lewis as the discover more about Jesus, and lift up Emma and Owain as they continue to share his love.
*names changed
