There is a way!

Challenge accepted

We read in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  This verse stands out like a beacon to me today.  Two days after a massive undertaking in Bonham, Tx.

It is not the whole verse that stands out, only the first four words, “THERE IS A WAY”.  You see on April 27th, 42 crazy for Jesus, volunteers descended upon the Choice Moore Prison Unit for an all day ministry event.

It was back in December of last year, when Jesus first began stirring the hearts of the volunteers that minister in Choice Moore every Sunday.  This man heard it loud and clear.  Just like when Jesus said in John 4, “I must needs go to Samaria”.  I heard in my heart of hearts, “I need you to go love on those guys of Choice Moore.  Show them how much I love them”.  Tina was already 10 steps ahead of me of course, so off we went.

The Plan

Several of us began talking with the Chaplain and ultimately the Warden to host an all day praise and worship event where we would bring in food to feed all of the 1150 residents and the prison staff members, plus volunteers.

Through some massive planning and praying, replanning and praying, and even quite a few tears, (primarily from the master planner, Tina.)  The plan was finally approved.  Over the next few months we would work to pull off the ultimate heist on Satan.  Going right into his sandbox and plucking men right out of his hands.

Over the next three months we put our battle plan in place and enlisted 40 other Jesus loving volunteers that had the skills and technical capabilities we did not have.  We also enlisted the resources of the kingdom, getting donations from companies, and Christian men and women alike.

If Jesus wanted to show these 1150 men how He loved them, we were going to open the floodgates.  April 26th, all the plans were in place, men and women of God enlisted to both serve and to pray.  The food was gathered, the supplies purchased and the prayers flowing upward.

That Anointed Day!

8:30 am we headed to Bonham, Tx with our trailer in Tow and the Holy Spirit leading us.  We had prayed for perfect weather, as this was hosted outside in the covered pavilion, and of course, it was perfect, exactly as ordered.  82 and a 15 mile per hour breeze.

We had 4 services that started at 2 pm and the last one ended at 7:30 pm.  At the end of the day, these men had witnessed the love Jesus had for them, their stomachs and their hearts were filled.  We witnessed so many lives changed.  Men were huddled in prayer all around in each service.  All in all we served over 800 men that day.  Over 150 gave their life to Jesus, and 36 were baptized.

The event had just as big of an impact on the volunteers as it had on the men.  This volunteer can tell you, we met with Jesus that day.  He was there just as certainly as I was.  Only eternity will tell the impact to the kingdom, but those who were there will testify of His power and love for the rest of our lives.

Closing thoughts

I started this post with Psalm 14:12.  I know many have experienced the powerful truth held in that verse.  For these men on this day, I believe Grace entered that phrase.  There is a way that leads unto death, but because of Jesus and His grace, only the first four words apply.  “THERE IS A WAY”!  And over 150 of those men, 10% of the population, now understand that wholeheartedly.

So many people to thank for this.  Gateway, Pepsico/FritoLay, Costco, individual donors.  All the volunteers.  The Praise Team, the Cook Teams, the Baptism Team, the Media Team, the mules, (that’s me), and the master planner herself.  All the people who prayed, endured our multiple meetings, emails and texts.  The prison staff, Chaplain, Warden, all the officers.  The Trustees who worked tirelessly all day and lastly but certainly not least, our God  for “Showing Up and Showing Out.

To God be the glory.