Let's Go To Jail Together!

Why Prison Ministry?

My Friday nights are usually not glamorous by the world's standards.  Many of my weekends begin by finishing up at work, going home for dinner, and then heading to the Butler County Prison to share the gospel with the inmates.  Why would someone who has a million things to do spend time at the jail, especially on a Friday night? 

There are really only two reasons: 

1) People need Jesus.

Convincing a prisoner that he is a sinner is usually not a hard sell.  Most of them know that they have done wrong.  They have broken the law.  They admit that they've committed some horrible crimes.  They've wasted their lives in various sinful addictions.  In some cases, they've ruined the lives of other people.  They've experienced great hurt and brokenness in relationships.  Their lives have been shattered by the effects of their own sin. Many of the men aren't even sure if anyone loves them or cares about them anymore. 

There are obviously occasions when some inmates come to the Bible study for the wrong reasons. But often times there are guys there who understand that they are broken and they want to be fixed.  They are lonely. They are confused.   They want answers and they aren't sure where to turn.  They've heard advice from so many different groups - 'This Anonymous' and 'That Anonymous'.  Ten steps to 'this' and twelve steps to 'that'.  While some of these groups may provide some help to the prisoners, what they really are missing is the life-changing power that is only found in Jesus Christ Himself.   

In their own words, what the prisoners really want is to be delivered from the things that cause them such anguish in their lives.  Jesus Christ is that Deliverer that sinners so desperately long for.  God has called upon those of us who know the truth to share it with the people who do not.  

2) I need Jesus.

Doing prison ministry forces me to study God's Word.  Putting lessons together for the prison bible study takes discipline.  When I know that someone else is depending on me to explain something to them from the Bible, it creates a situation that requires diligence in my own personal Bible study.  

Establishing a relationship with Jesus that has vitality and life takes time and effort spent in His Word and in prayer on a regular basis.  That's what the prison ministry does for me personally: I need Jesus every bit as much as a criminal behind bars; and spending time building relationships with the inmates is futile if I am not drawing from the endless well of grace and mercy myself.  Over the years, this single greatest cause of my growth as a Christian can be attributed to my involvement in prison ministry.  

Prison ministry has many disappointments. Sometimes you just never know if you're getting through. Many times an inmate will leave the jail and you don't know whether he's going to make it out there or not. But there is also great reward. When you see the light bulbs going on... when people get it... when you know that they understand what you are saying from God's Word...  they are getting Jesus. And so am I.  

For more information about prison ministry and how you can be involved, email the church at admin@harvestpittburghnorth.org

The Easiest, and Most Effective, Way to Evangelize!

Several months ago I attended the funeral of an old family friend. Johnny lived to be 95 years old and had been friends with my parents and grandparents. He loved the Lord and was active in service at his church for many years. When I talked to his son at the funeral, I learned something about Johnny that I never knew. He and his wife were neighbors of my grandparents many, many years ago. One day my grandfather invited them to go to church with him and they gladly accepted. While attending church with my grandparents, Johnny and his wife Gladys were saved! They spent decades of selfless service in the local church, impacting untold numbers of people. Their lives, and the lives of many others, were changed forever because my grandfather just simply extended an invitation to come to church. 

What about us? Are we telling people about our church? Have we made others aware of our church or is it one of our best untold secrets? Our neglect of others around us is costly and devastating, not only to them, but to us as well! Imagine how many Johnnys and Gladys's we've ignored!

We ALL can do this! Some of us may not feel entirely equipped to adequately answer complicated Bible theology questions, but we certainly can extend invitations to people to come to church to find answers. 

What kind of people must we be if we do not ask others to join in on something that is so vitally important in our own lives? What kind of Christians must we be if we're keeping the church to ourselves? The Bible tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves. I imagine there's much effort and planning that happens in each of our respective families as we prepare ourselves to get to church and small group each week. Shouldn't some of that effort and planning be directed towards other people? 

How do we do that? Here are a few simple thoughts:

• Have regular conversation about your church with family, neighbors, friends and work associates. Talk about what you're learning, what you're involved in and how it's impacting your life. If we really love something, doesn't it just automatically come up in the course of conversation? If something has a regular profound effect in your life, isn't it something you're going to tell everyone? Speak highly of your church. Airing your frustrations or disappointments does great damage in stirring the interest of others.

• Just talking about church may perk someone's ears up and they may come out of curiosity, but some other people need to be asked directly. They need to feel like they are important enough to you and that you cared enough to ask. Just plainly tell them that you'd like them to come to church with you. Offer to sit with them, meet them in the parking lot or offer to pick them up if necessary.

• Be prepared with the church website information, meeting place and time, phone numbers, etc. The refrigerator magnets available on the information table in the lobby are a fantastic tool for this. Carry them with you and give them to people as you extend your invitation.

• Don't forget to pray that God would lead unchurched people to you and that you could seize every opportunity to speak openly about your church.

If our church is going to grow in its capacity to minister to people and make disciples, then we each need to do our part in making sure that everyone we come in contact with knows that they are welcomed to come and worship with us at Harvest! 

Many blessings to you,
Mark

Top Ten(-ish) Things You Need to Know About Evangelism

Here’s the evangelism scenario we play out in our minds:

I sheepishly go up to someone to share the Gospel and say, “Do you know that God loves you and…”

I am interrupted by an outraged, offended outburst.

“How dare you push your religion on me! I curse you. You and your whole family. I will never talk to you again. I will tell everyone you know that they, too, should never talk to you again. And they won’t. Be ashamed!”

Then they pull out a megaphone: “Look everybody! A radical religious nut!”

That doesn’t happen. People generally don’t have megaphones on them at all times. But here are 10 things to get you to step off the ledge, and step up to share the Gospel.

1. Evangelism is most often a process, not a sudden event.
   
   Generally the Holy Spirit works over time in a person’s life. When someone actually receives the Gospel, there is usually much that precedes it, both in circumstances and other believers. (1 Corinthians 3:1-11)
    
2. Evangelism begins with a holy lifestyle - people seeing Jesus shine through you.
   
   The New Testament says nothing about how to “share your faith“, but it says much about honoring Christ in your lifestyle and God opening up doors for you to share the Gospel. (1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 4:1-5)
    
3. Evangelism is especially effective when strong relationships are built.
   
   True. I have shared with strangers and friends. Friends know you love them and are often more receptive to what you have to say.
    
4. Apologetics (evidence and reasoning to defend the faith) can be important in penetrating the skepticism of many people today.
   
   Some people will just not know. Some people have only “studied” enough to learn a few “objections” that they believe have no answer. Be ready, but remember you can’t argue someone into the Kingdom. Salvation is the Holy Spirit’s work, no matter how smart you are.
    
5. Once a person sincerely checks out Christianity, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll discover the truth about God.
   
   Let God’s Word speak for itself. It’s like a lion. You don’t need to defend it. Let it out of the cage and it will defend itself.
    
6. Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.
   
   Oh, yeah, we said that. Still true. Here is a verse for it! (John 16:7-11)
    
7. Nobody wants to be your “project”.
   
   What is your true motivation for evangelism? People can sense your motives. Don’t make someone a project. Love them with the Gospel.
    
8. There is no substitute for prayer.
   
   For boldness, for the right words, for the Holy Spirit to take control of the person’s heart.
    
9. Unchurched people are often willing to visit a church if they are invited by a friend who has already opened up spiritual issues through personal conversation.
   
   Some people are just waiting for an invite to church. Offer one!
    
10. Christians often need to partner with a church (hopefully their own church!) that offers services or events that are evangelistic in nature.
    
    I share the Gospel in some way/shape/form every sermon. Be a part of offering evangelistic services or events with the church / small group.
     
11. The church must objectively examine how they will be perceived by an unchurched visitor – without altering the message!
    
    Many people have bad thoughts toward the church in general, whether it is from a previous personal experience or an experience heard about second-handed. Our job is to remove any obstacle that may hinder the mission. God, let your glory come down on the church. The only thing that really matters in the church service is You showing up!

Deep breath. Evangelism is commanded and empowered. And it is to be more of a natural thing than some people think.

p.s. - I did say 10-ish, right?