For about 14 years, I have been visiting prisoners in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons. This has happened in an ad-hoc way, as God has allowed. At this point, I visit 3 different prisons, up to 4 days a month. There have been 2 baptisms. Currently, there is a catechumen waiting for baptism, and another young man who will be a catechumen soon. Several are pretty close to becoming catechumens. All together, about 12 men are seen.

 

Most Wednesdays are set aside for prison ministry. Because Texas is a big state, there is a lot if driving involved (between 5 and 8 hours round trip). This schedule is possible because the parish is able to offer me a small stipend, so I do not need to work full time. Currently, I work Monday and Tuesday as a nurse, then visit a prison on Wednesday. Thursday is an important day in the parish also, because we always have a weekday liturgy where we pray for all members of the parish, aloud.

 

There are things we need to make this ministry, which is wholly of God's making and not our own (see below), expand. Our parish is small, and currently pays for gasoline. This is, to be honest a bit of a stretch for us, as we are attempting to build a small church (hopefully done by June, 2009), and with God's help grow. Everybody knows about the economy. We sometimes need to rub two nickels together really hard to try to get a quarter, but God has provided. However, at this point in time, we do not have enough funds to have regular mailings to each prisoner. I envision a time when we can send out weekly mailings to anybody who is interested. Letters are very important to people in prison.

 

I have also seen the literature in the racks at the prisons. We can give them much better.

 

So, our major need at this time is money. We do not need a lot. We have budgeted about $2000.00 yearly for the prison ministry. If we received just $3000.00 a year, we could print scads of stuff, and mail something every week, plus we would have a financial burden lifted from St Nicholas. Perhaps, eventually, the parish could grow so that I would be able to stop working. Someone recently told me in perplexity: "I thought you were a full-time priest now", when I told them I was working and could not be present at a certain event. I replied "I always have been a full time priest, and I work two days a week also". This is not the best situation.

 

Our other major need is to have volunteer chaplains, who work with me. Some can go with me on visits, get to know the guys, and write to them. I assure you, for some of these men, I am the ONLY human being in the "free world" (as they call it) who sees them or writes to them Imagine how that feels! I envision a time when, in each prison I go to, there is a service EVERY week, sometimes with me, and sometimes with volunteers.  I see most people just once a month. We need lay people or clergy. At this point, I am not aware of any Orthodox clergy except myself who visit the Texas prisons on a regular basis.

 

Another need is that people would pray for us. I am reticent to give out names of people, to protect their privacy, but you certainly could pray that God would prosper our small ministry as He sees fit.

 

I do not have any snazzy pictures (I cannot bring a camera in), or any incredible stories. Most of what I have heard and seen I do not feel I can share publicly. I am not any good at marketing stuff and making it look really exciting. To tell the truth, there is nothing exciting about driving 8 hours in a day to be in a prison for only 2 hours. I can only assure you that this ministry has been God's doing, and I am privileged to be a part of it. I am also overwhelmed by the need that is present, and my meager strength. There is so much more that we should be doing!

 

We will establish a bank account and solicit donations for the prison ministry when I get around to it. In the meantime, anything you give that is earmarked for prison ministry will be used as you wish.  Contact me if you want to help in any way.

 

HOW DID WE GET STARTED IN PRISON MINISTRY.

 

One Sunday, about 14 years ago, a young man came to our church with two parishioners. They had been friends for many years. I could tell that this young man was troubled about something; I did not know what it was. After service, I sat with him under a Hackberry tree for 5 hours and discussed many spiritual things. I did not think much of it; these things happen sometimes. Some people come around again, and others I never see again in this life. It is hard to know whether one's efforts will bear fruit or not.

 

Three days later, on Wednesday, I was told the young man had turned himself in regarding a legal matter. He was kept in the Fort Worth Jail for over 2 years before his trial (so much for the constitutionally guaranteed right to a speedy trial!). I visited him many times in that cold and creepy jail, and developed a relationship with him. I did not evangelize him; I just tried to be a friend. I was working full time, and the visits were freer than I would have liked. Eventually, he was convicted, and I followed him in to the prison system. In time, he expressed to me a hunger for baptism, and his actions made me believe that his was not a "jail house conversion".

 

I made arrangements to baptize him. The Baptists in Texas have done us a great service. There is an adult baptistry in every Texas prison! On the day of the baptism, two other men showed up. The prison grapevine is very efficient, and faster and more reliable than the internet. One of the men had been baptized by Fr Duane Pedersen years ago, and his friend and he had been praying for TWO YEARS that a priest would come so that he could be baptized. It turned out that I was the answer to that prayer.

 

In due time, this man was also catechized and baptized.

 

It turns out my first prison convert is quite the Apostle, and two of his close friends are now in catechesis.

 

 And all I did was talk to a guy under a Hackberry tree!

 

 So much happens in God’s plan without us knowing, understanding or even needing to know. All we need to do is be like Samuel:

 

 “… the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.“ (1Sa 3:4 )

 

 Ministry does not take talent; God gives that. It does not require intelligence: God gives that. It does require us to SHOW UP; God won’t do that for us, but He will help.

 

If you want to SHOW UP in this ministry, you know who to call.

 

Use this for any edifying reason, but please give credit, and include the URL were the text was found. We would love to hear from you with comments!