By Frank
Parsons
By Frank
Parsons
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The San Antonio congregation served with the Bill Glass Prison Ministry Weekend of Champions Jan. 14 to 16 as 1,728 prisoners accepted Christ.
Three weeks later, on Feb. 4, some members went to the Beeville state prison with the Bill Glass group, and 385 prisoners made decisions for Christ.
Last year more than 70,000 prisoners and others made decisions for Christ through this ministry. Bill Glass was a National Football League player before God led him into prison ministry.
The ministry notes that 80 percent of crimes are committed by ex-convicts. If the prisoners can come to Christ before being released into society, the crime rates will drop. With this in mind and the scripture, "I was in prison and you visited me," God has used Bill Glass in an awesome way.
The WCG New Beginnings congregation volunteered to serve in many areas. I served as the kickoff banquet chairman for San Antonio and the surrounding area. Many leading Christians from the area worked with us in planning the banquet and other activities.
John Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church, let us use his church for the banquet Nov. 16. More than 400 Christians attended as our congregation served as the host and servers. Our members wore their New Beginnings T-shirts. As master of ceremonies I had many chances to share with others about our church.
Don Smarto, chief executive officer of the ministry, and I were interviewed on a Christian radio program. Another time I was interviewed with Bill Glass as he told about his ministry.
Twenty champions in various fields helped with the weekend. At least 100 bikers with various motorcycle ministries were allowed to take their Harleys into the prison grounds.
One of the men was a former criminal named Bull Cole, played by Robert Redford in the movie The Sting. Gov. George Bush gave permission for this to take place because of the success of this ministry.
We were locked in the prisons for most of three days. We had to follow the rules strictly and eat with and share the yard with the prisoners. It makes an impression on you spiritually and emotionally to lead someone to Christ in a situation like this.
The prayer committee used our church building as the gathering place for its members to pray. Many of our members became part of the prayer team.
Friday and Saturday evening, Jan. 14 and 15, the WCG New Beginnings congregation prepared banquet meals for counselors coming out of the prisons. It was a time to share what had occurred each day.
We used Castle Hills Baptist Church for these banquets. Each evening, our congregation prepared and served more than 450 counselors. My wife, Jane, prepared the menu for both evenings. Members Don Persyn and John and Josie Waddell cooked the food outside on butane stoves.
Each night the counselors and staff applauded the efforts of our people. Bill Glass gave recognition to the congregation for their efforts.
Dick Plowman, assistant to the president of the ministry, asked if we had congregations elsewhere that could assist their ministry. I highly recommend that our congregations take advantage of this.
PRISON MINISTRY--Right, Bill Glass (left) and Pastor Frank Parsons.
Left: counselors at banquet [Photos by Ron Kuntz]
OUTREACH--WCG members serve at banquet.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000