If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve most likely heard of the frustrations from the community of Muskegon regarding their rising crime rate. Although we live in Grand Rapids, it seems Muskegon is becoming a home away from home as we are invited again and again to come into the Correctional Facilities there. May of this year was another wonderful opportunity to go into one of the many prisons in Muskegon, The Muskegon Correctional Facility. We hadn’t been there since is 2011 when the prison contracted with the state of Pennsylvania to house over 2,000 of their prisoners.
Our memories of that day were pleasant as we remembered the great body of believers who sang our songs, worshipped with us and embraced our visit as “The highlight of their lives”. They opened the evening with a 20 member choir. It was tremendous praise and they were truly gifted in song. However, as sad as it is, many of them will die in prison, so to be able to share in a concert like this was very special for them. As they would soon be going back to Pennsylvania to be housed, they begged us to come and do a concert there. Many of them cried and spoke about our next visit together…they said it would be in heaven.
As we walked into the familiar auditorium we we’re greeted by two gentleman/prisoners who where so excited and eager to help us as we did our usual set-up for the concert. In no time the men began to file in and we began the concert. Immediately we found ourselves surrounded by a large body of believers who were singing glory to God and lifting hands of Praise to the God they now served.
Wayburn, once again gave his everything leading us into worship of our Lord. There was a real connection with these men. They loved the words and the music and we we’re so thankful to see them being moved by the Holy Spirit through the gifts that God generously gives. Ardo Draper a resident Pastor at our Church, Calvary who has now joined our team as the speaking portion of our program and I both shared words of encouragement and the men listened and responded with cheers to God. Giving Him glory for the good things He has done.
They we’re many several who raised their hands to receive the Lord into their hearts and we thank God for the victory over sin in their lives
After the concert, we all had an opportunity to visit and hear how God had moved in their lives during the concert. We will continue to share the good new that Jesus is the great Redeemer, Restorer and Rescuer. Hallelujah!