Tonight I rode with the Spirit Riders to join Chaplain Terry Buice for a service with the inmates of I. W. Davis Prison up in Jefferson. I didn't really feel like going, but I'm glad I did. We rode up to Jefferson, ate at Mike's Grill, then on to the prison. We were joined there by Terry and the pastor & members of Martin Baptist Church. Little did we know what would happen this evening.
We greeted each inmate as he came in the meeting room, as the small Martin choir warmed up. When all the inmates were in, about 60 in all, the choir began with 3 songs they had prepared. The inmates sat quietly, listening, until the choir leader invited the men to join them in a few songs. We sang "I'll Fly Away", "Amazing Grace", and a couple of others. The inmates began to sing louder and louder, totally throwing themselves into the worship. The Martin pastor spoke on Philippians 3, having a passion for Christ instead of the things that drag us down. Terry concluded by giving men an opportunity to come forward to give their lives to Christ, and 17 men walked to the front. We each took a few of them and helped them trust Christ, and it was a precious time, praying with each of these men.
Terry had prepared a portable baptism pool out in the yard, and as the last of the sun's light left the sky, all of us, the church group, and the inmates gathered around as we baptized all 17 right then and there. I got to baptize several myself, which was a huge honor for me. Everyone clapped and cheered for each man as he came up out of the water, and when we were all done, we gathered around them all, laid hands on them, and prayed over them. We concluded out in the yard, in the dark by now, singing "Amazing Grace" one last time. Amid hugs and handshakes, the inmates filed back to their dorms, and we readied for home, riding back by the light of a full moon.
Terry had informed us earlier that the state was closing this prison, and within a month all these inmates would be sent to other institutions across the state. That knowledge made what happened there tonight all the more special. We really experienced God's Spirit & love tonight, and our prayer is that the men of I. W. Davis will carry this not only to wherever they go next, but the rest of their lives. May they go on and walk with Christ, all the days of their lives.
"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Rob