Prison Fellowship is such an incredible ministry and I have felt so fortunate to work on a few projects for them over the years. Back in the late 90’s after hearing about prison units in Brazil and Ecuador which were 100% Christian having less than a 20% recidivation rate, newly elected Governor of Texas, George W. Bush decided to try the same in Texas with former Nixon Aide Chuck Colson. In short, it was a huge success, generating the same numbers. Just to put those numbers in perspective, the average recidivation rate for all other prisons in the U.S. is almost 60%. Just outside Houston, Texas is a small community called Sugarland, where the Carol Vance Unit was formed as a Christian prison unit. Prisoners are schooled/discipled in the scriptures morning, noon and night. It’s a volunteer program designed for prisoners with two years left on their prison term. Upon graduation, the prisoners are released to another Prison Fellowship ministry which continues what was begun in prison. From the beginning Mr. Colson and his team have hired me to shoot from time to time to document the prison life of these prisoners. I’m here to tell you, the Spirit of the Lord is stronger than most churches I’ve been to.
A couple of years or so ago, I was there to shoot photos for a couple of days and for the first time the PF volunteers were allowed to bring a portable baptism tub into the unit for those who wished to be baptized in Christ. A long line formed which took most of the day to get through. I’m sure those performing the dunking part slept well that night. I have to tell you here I LOVE BAPTISMS! This is the public version of kicking the devil square in his butt! It represents his defeat and Christ victory in each of us who have chosen to be baptized. For me, it was a longtime between my giving my life to Jesus and getting baptized. When I finally did get baptized, my relationship with Christ exploded! The bible just came alive to me and I found myself having a hard time putting it down, whereas before, I used the bible to put myself to sleep. Because I was trying so hard to keep from becoming a “religious” natured person, I refused to get baptized because I could not find a reason in the bible why to do it. Then one day a wonderful brother told me I need to be baptized. I said “give me one good reason from the bible why I should”. He simply said ” because God said to do it.” Uhhhh, I’m slow sometimes…never considered that reason before. That was good enough for me, so right then and there a load of us went to a local creek in 20º weather and I was baptized….Yaaaahhoooooooo! So, when the man pictured was baptized I knew exactly how he felt at that moment! You just want to give it that Braveheart scream, “FREEEEEEEEEEDOM”. In fact, some of these prisoners did just that. I know, I know, “baptism” does not save you, but it sure is a very strong part of the process! So, if you have not been personally baptized since making your own personal decision to give your life to Jesus Christ, then grab some members of your family in Christ and go kick the devil in his teeth by obeying God by getting baptized. It’s a fist pumper for Jesus:)
Matthew 3:16-17 “16And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. 17And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!”
the Jesusfreak
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