Waxing on Angola

The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:8-13)

I had the incredible privilege of attending the "Miracle of Hope Conference" yesterday at Louisiana State Penitentiary, otherwise known as "Angola." This institution has a long and violent history and was once known as the "bloodiest prison in the nation." The average sentence is 80+ years and many of the 5,000 inmates are "lifers." But the miracle of hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed "Angola."

Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle was the main speaker yesterday and Pastor Michael Durso from Christ Tabernacle in Queens spoke last night. We were also blessed with Gospel singing legend Babbie Mason. This was all tremendous but what overwhelmed us was the amazing grace of God that was so evident in the inmates. We had the opportunity to spend time with men who were serving life sentences but were absolutely overflowing with the joy of the Lord.

Last night's worship was just incredible! What gratitude and thanksgiving was expressed by these men who had been forgiven and "set free" through Jesus Christ!

One inmate who had served 20 years said that if he had the choice to go home tomorrow without Jesus, or stay in with Jesus he would choose to stay in prison.

Another, convicted of murder, said that the Lord has never reminded him of who he used to be!

They offered no excuses for their crimes and made no claims of innocence, they merely expressed exuberant joy, passionate love for the Lord and patient love for one another.

These men are offered education opportunities as well as Seminary training and Bible college, along with trade skills, etc. Violence is way down in the prison. Death Row inmates are singing the praises of God with all of their hearts! It is truly a miracle.

The Lord has boldly used Warden Burl Cain and others to create an atmosphere of hope in what could be a hopeless place and it is all centered in the grace and mercy offered through Jesus Christ. Jesus has been exalted in Angola and God has worked a miracle!!
One inmate described it like this "The Holy Spirit has come like a whirlwind and nothing is what it used to be!"

Praise Him for His great salvation and may we all remember that we are just as hopelessly lost in our sins as these inmates without the miracle of hope found in Him!!!