You’ve probably never had anyone invite you to go to prison with them. Now, you may have had people ask you to visit them in prison, or write to them in prison, or you may have even been in a prison at some time in life, but very few people have visited prisons to meet and share with people they didn’t know. But that’s what I’m asking you to consider doing with me. I’m asking you to consider joining me and hundreds of others on October 13-15 for the Weekend Of Champions Prison Outreach which will take place in local prisons here in New Orleans. In those prison outreaches, in very safe environments, men will be ministering to men, and women will be ministering to women.

What would qualify a person to participate in a Prison ministry outreach? Well, in my first year as a Christian I participated in a Bill Glass Weekend of Champions Prison Crusade. At that time I didn’t know much about the Bible. All I knew was that the Lord had forgiven me of my sins, He was in the process of transforming me, and I wanted others to experience what I had experienced through my relationship with Jesus Christ. So I attend that crusade back in 1979, and it was a very fulfilling experience for me. I learned during the training how to interact with the prisoners, how to share my faith with them, and how to lead them to received Jesus as the Savior and Lord of their life. And it was my great joy and privilege to lead 8 men to faith in Jesus Christ during that prison crusade back in 1979. I actually maintained a “pen pal” relationship with some of those men for several years, and enjoyed encouraging them and being encouraged as I read about how the Lord had transformed their lives. The bottom line is that any Christian whose life has been transformed by the Lord and who cares for others can be effectively utilized in ministering to people in prison, because at that time, like no other, they have a “captive audience” with whom they can share the message and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus indicated that His followers would be rewarded for visiting people in prison. He said:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then He will sit upon his glorious throne. . . . The King will say to those on the right, `Come, . . . inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I WAS IN PRISON, AND YOU VISITED ME.' Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see You hungry and feed You? Or thirsty and give You something to drink? Or a stranger and show You hospitality? Or naked and give You clothing? 39When did we ever see You sick or in prison, and visit You?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!'” (Matthew 25:36-40 NLT)

• The deadline to register is September 21, 2011 (you register online at the website). This must be done ahead of the event to receive security clearance to go into the prisons.
• There is a $25 non refundable registration fee, which covers some of the Outreach expenses (you can either pay this fee online by credit card, or mail it to the Champions For Life office)
• Training for the Weekend of Champions event will take place on Thursday, October 13 at the Double Tree Hotel) 2150 Veterans Blvd in Kenner from 6-9 pm. At this training you would be paired with others who are experienced in Prison ministry and outreaches.
• When we go into the prisons on Friday and Saturday (October 14-15) you will need to bring your driver’s license, a small Bible, a ballpoint pen, and you can wear modest attire (including caps and hats for when you are outside). The team members will lunch in the units with the inmates.

You can be the Lord’s instrument for bringing salvation, help, hope and healing to people in prison. Pray and ask the Lord if He wants you to get involved or at least explore this opportunity further. Remember, Jesus said that when we “minister to people in prison” we are in effect, “ministering to Him.”