By Samuel N.
Anderson
By Samuel N.
Anderson
ORLANDO, Florida--Eight volunteers from Prison Fellowship Ministry went to the Central Florida Reception Center Aug. 14 and 21 to conduct a seminar on Christian Basics.
Joe and Susan Bissonett are coordinators for Prison Fellowship in the Orlando area. Joe told me after hitting roadblock after roadblock, he was at a function with a friend who introduced him to the superintendent of Florida prisons, who invited Joe to the prison.
We met in the parking lot of the prison at 8 a.m. We had a group prayer asking for God's inspiration and guidance that all would be done to his glory.
We started through security at 9. We were escorted to the physical training room where we set up for class. We were then escorted to the courtyard to talk with the inmates and invite them to a Bible study. They received us well, and I noticed a peace that seemed to fill the moist morning air. With Bibles in hand, most of them said they would join us.
This seminar has five sessions: 1) Being Sure of My Salvation; 2) The Bible: How God Speaks to Us; 3) Prayer: Communion With God; 4) Sharing Your Faith; and 5) The Church: God's Family.
Ken and Mary Hall conducted the seminars. We had many Scripture references, which we looked up and discussed. We split into groups of five, where the inmates could talk and ask questions. We also had group prayer to ask God to strengthen our faith.
We finished by 3 p.m., so it was back to security and out the gate.
I felt like a farmer who had plenty of fertile ground in which to plant the seed of God. The hearts and minds of these men were open to God and his Word. All of them confessed their faith in Christ. We were able to build on that foundation.
All of these men have the AIDS virus or full-blown AIDS. Thirty were in class, but this facility has 2,000 inmates. One hundred twenty of them have been chosen for University of Florida medical research, and they receive the latest treatment for the virus.
One man told me of having given this disease to his wife and daughter, who is now 7. He told me of how Give Kids the World had given his family a week's stay there. I told him of our church serving there in the dining hall. Needless to say, I made a real friend of him.
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