Jan – 2006

Jan. 17, 2006
RE:  FLORENCE PRISON RIPE FOR MIRACLES. 

Hi Friends.  The service Sunday at the Florence Correctional Center was beautiful and your prayers were answered.  However, I could have done a better job.  The service was to start at 5:30 pm but the men did not get there until 6:15.  My wife led in 4 worship songs and over 50 men showed up.  I did not know it was a bilingual service and many INS and Mexican inmates were there.  I had to use an interpreter and was a little uncomfortable as I had never used one before.  When I stood up to preach the Holy Ghost hit me and the interpreter too!  I used short cadences.  I spent 30 minutes refuting denominationalism, church rituals, satanic cults, phony Christian religions and lukewarm followers of Christ.  The convicts appeared spell bound. Conviction fell on most of the men.  At the altar call they rushed down 3 and 4 deep to get anointed for prayer.  I was surprised and thrilled at the same time, however, I had run out of time.  I preached too long and had only 9 minutes left. It went by in seconds.  Several men were starting to break down and I did not have time to minister to them.  I hope to return there ASAP and we will see a huge harvest.  (FOOTNOTE:  The chaplain of this unit did not like me and I was never invited back).  Thank you for your prayers. Mike