The Door-Step Evangel

Preacher, do you ever despair at the appearance, dress, and attitude of your congregation? A few sessions behind the walls of a maximum security penitentiary will cure that! How about a front row of two transvestites, complete with female makeup, nail polish, and hair-do's? In the back row, gang members, identified by tattoos, rat-tailed hair, and hand signals. On the right, a few turn their chairs around with backs to the pulpit (these fellows have obviously never been to a service I conducted!). On the left, two light up cigarettes and lean back to relax. Now, let's have Church! After getting things in order, we sing a few songs, but the bulk of the service is preaching. At the close of the service we have a question and answer session. Some come with questions and comments about the message, and one or two come to say they have just trusted Christ. Praise the Lord! What a joy to see the truth of God's word change both hearts and minds. After two hours of Bible study (they want more), I shuffle through locked doors and gates to leave. Hours behind bars wearies the flesh, the spiritual battles leave fatigue, but the grace of GOD is supreme. I'm ready to go back inside next week!

(This is one of the fastest growing mission fields in America. Doors are open...who will go into these institutions?)