March 31st, 2019

3 Disciples

On 3/31/2019, LOTRI went to the MTC Bridgeport Unit for a 2 hour Gospel service. God is so good when we first arrived to the unit. We had to immediately pray for favour just to enter having one volunteer not able to enter due to not having the proper paperwork. But God, who is rich in His mercy and grace made a way, where this pastor has never seen a way made before and I give all the Honor and all the Glory to God for this evening of precious grace.

9 servant volunteers entered the unit to have a service with 77 offenders who were all in eagerness anticipating what God would do on this night in March of 2019.

We started with an amazing worship time with the Bridgeport Unit Choir and Band. They ushered in the spirit and we all got to sing and lift up the name of the Lord.

Introducing the ministry of Life on the Rock we then read an Old Testament and New Testament scripture before asking one of the brothers to open up the service in prayer...full of the Holy Spirit we all felt God move into the Gym which quickly became His Sanctuary. My wife and I talked quickly about how much we love the men and love the ministry God has blessed us with.

Up first was Holly, this being her first time into prison we all prayed God would use her mightily and He did. She shared about being able to share of the loss of her brother to suicide in an environment in which that topic alone is almost taboo being any volunteer who would hear from an offender of a desire to take their own life must report it immediately, creating a less than safe place to share of this brokenness in one's life.

Mrs. Laura shared a Bible verse that has become the backbone and foundation for a marriage in the ministry that she saw prevelant throughout the theme of her recent wedding to Rock teammate and leader Robert Moore.

We are always amazed at the incredible ministry we are able to do within the prison system and the men we are able to reach, when Jesus is preached. First time into a prison with Life on the Rock after meeting us inside a unit was Wilbur and he was so fired up and exciting, it seemed the men were eager to place his coming back in with an inner desire to change and the willingness to now come in sometime in their futures as ministers of this ministry to the least of these. God have your Way!

Another man delivered from a life inside prison and the gangs and violence preached about being filled with the Holy Ghost by being born again in a cell inside Ad-Seg where Jesus came to meet him. Jerry is a brother Nikki and I met when he reached out to us to take us up on the offer of helping him when he returned to the DFW area after meeting Life on the Rock in one of the largest prisons in TDCJ. A man of his word he called and he touched base with the ministry through not taking no for an answer and that has led to his success on this side of the Razor Wire.

Brother Woody from Waterside Church, a great blessing to this ministry was able to show how being a young Christian does not mean deference to a more mature man of God. Christ can use a willing servant so his message on this night was to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and be filled with God's purpose and go and be the Church!

Bringing the main message was JD who delivered every expectation I have for a disciple, a message that is all about Jesus. When asked to preach impromtu, he fulfilled the scripture in 1 Peter 3:15, to sanctify the Lord God in your heart and be ready always to give a reason for the hope that is in you.

Closing the service in prayer and supplication for a young man in the struggle was Robert whom I always find diligent in the Lord's business of salvation and resurrection power.

If you think that any of this sounds like something you would want to be part of...remeber to visit those who are in prison as if you yourself were in bonds with them. Hebrews 13:3

If we can get you to understand, that Life on the Rock is all about Jesus and not about me, or any of the other teammates, then you may be able to also understand, that this ministry is yours, and we will only be as effective as the least member of the team, not the greatest which is why Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Please invest your time, talent, and tithe into the ministry of kingdom building by proclaiming the good news of JESUS Christ! Amen.