Letters from Joliet

Initiating Opportunities For Inmates To Experience God

My Experience In Prison Ministries Began Back In 2017

WHEN I READ AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY PROJECT STEPS TO CHRIST ABOUT A WOMAN WHO WAS SENDING CARDS TO INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, “I CAN DO THAT.”

The main obstacle was getting a list of individuals to send cards to. I contacted Stateville Correctional Center, which is located just a few miles from my church, the Joliet Seventh-day Adventist Church, about an hour south of Chicago. I had been passing that prison on my way to church school and church since 1969, not giving much thought to the people behind those high walls. Feeling impressed by the Holy Spirit, I moved forward and called the prison. I was transferred to Chaplain Adamson, who promptly told me to send him a proposal of what I would like to do. I told him that all I needed was a list of men I could send cards to. He told me to email him a proposal. After the phone call, feeling somewhat baffled by his request, I began to reach out to others for some ideas. I was referred to Jason Bradley at 3ABN, who gave me the name of Lemuel Vega with Christmas Behind Bars. Not familiar with that organization, I contacted him to find out how he could help. Little did I realize at that point how involved Lemuel Vega was with prison ministries.

On April 19, I met in person with the prison’s se nior chaplain, George Adamson, to discuss sharing the gospel with individuals in custody at Stateville Correction Center in Illinois. I must tell you that this was an amazing meeting, showing how God opens doors for His work to go forward.

I had previously sent Chaplain Adamson a list of the things that I wanted to do for the inmates, and he approved almost every one of them. Here are three of the requests that were approved: (1) Through the ministry Christmas Behind Bars, pro vide each inmate with a bag that includes items such as the book “Steps to Christ,” free Bible Study correspondence, and food; (2) Provide books, snacks, paper, pencils and other items; (3) Directly correspond with inmates through birth day and Christmas cards, etc. Chaplain Adamson asked me how many inmates I would like to cor respond with, and for some reason I said 500. It must have been the Holy Spirit, for clearly, I do not know what I was thinking!

During my meeting with the chaplain, he was asked if we could provide a religious program for the inmates. He stated he had no openings at that time, however he looked at me and said, “I want you to do a Bible study on Daniel and Revelation, starting in June or August.” Me? What else could I say but yes! As I left the prison that day, my faith was so encouraged seeing how the Lord was open ing the doors to minister to these men.

The Joliet Seventh-day Adventist Church had just completed a Daniel and Revelation Seminar for the public. During this time, Pastor Adrian Amarandei had asked me to participate in conducting the sem inar. Little did I know that God was already prepar ing me to teach this same series at Stateville.

CONFRONTING THE UNSPEAKABLE

By Lynn Stone