SAN BERNARDINO, CA –
‘WEEKEND OF CHAMPIONS’
I spoke in 12 units on Friday,
drove to San Diego that afternoon, spoke at a banquet in the evening,
drove back to San Bernardino that night, and spoke in 4 units on
Saturday. Sunday I preached at ‘The Door’ Christian church in San
Bernardino. The pastor is an ex-convict and a veteran of many years in CA
prisons. We had a number of visitors and saw people ‘saved’ in the
morning and in the evening services. Two were ex-cons! It was great
being with the pastor and his family. Some of his people want to go with
us next time we visit area prisons.
We had 540 teammates with us
for the ‘Weekend of Champions’ (30 of which were ex-cons!) and ministered
to 15,075 inmates in 10 different prison facilities. The prayers of many
mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were answered as over the weekend we
saw
3,138 decisions for Christ!
As we were finishing up on
Friday, we passed a pod that caught my attention. In front of the solid
steel doors was a ‘plexi-glass’ wall. I asked the officer escorting me
what it was. “Oh that’s our highest security area.” “So, what’s the wall
for? Is that because they throw stuff on you?” “No, it’s just for
increased security.” “I don’t see anyone, is anybody in there?” “Well,
there’s one guy, but you wouldn’t want to talk with him. He’s in there
for stabbing two guards and a medical worker!” “Will you take me back
there?” Reluctantly, the officer opened the door to ‘the pod’ and
escorted me behind the plexiglass wall. Looking into the cell through the
window I saw a tall white man in his 50s. I introduced myself as ‘Dennis
Rice – B-47652’. He had been ‘in the system’ for many years and we knew
some of the same people.
After chatting with him for
about 5 minutes (and being pressed for time), I asked him “Could I pray
for you?” Following my prayer, I asked if he would like to pray with me
to receive Christ. “Sure.” As we finished our prayer, (I was speaking
to him through the crack at the side of the door), I heard him going
“OOOHHHH! OOOHHHH!” “Are you alright? What’s the matter?” “I’ve got
chills all over my body!” I looked through the window and he was smiling
ear to ear, ran back to the back of his cell, grabbed a Bible, and said “I
can’t wait to get into my Bible now!” I gave him my tract, told him to
write to me, and was escorted out.
RED ROCK PRISON – ELOY, AZ
“You don’t need an escort” the
officer told me. “You know where the chapel is, you can just walk there
by yourself.” I smiled, going anywhere in a prison without an escort is
rare for me. Walking to the chapel I noticed two large dirt lots
bordering the sidewalk, on which were dug ‘designs’. I thought “Looks
like a landing zone marked out for U.F.O. landings.” I was amused.
As the men entered the chapel,
one of the inmate leaders asked me “Would it be alright if I bring a brief
teaching before you preach?” I told him “Sure, do whatever you need to
do.” The ‘worship band’ cranked it up as we lifted up the Name of Jesus
and entered into His presence. “Maybe you noticed the huge pentagram on
the ground as you came to the chapel. I’d like to talk to you today about
witchcraft.” Using the scriptures, he brought one of the finest
presentations I’ve ever heard on the topic of witchcraft and false
religion. “Those who practice such things, their hearts are no blacker
than my own was before I came to Christ. They are trying to attain
spiritual power without having to deal with God. It’s really idolatry.”
Another inmate, my friend Leo, joined him and brought out “These men are
many times ‘prodigals’, who once knew God but have departed from Him.
They may think that they have committed sins that God can’t forgive. We
need to pray for them and not be diverted from what God has called us to
do.”
I began ministering to these
inmates over 12 years ago, before they were moved to Arizona from Alaska.
Today, I was thrilled to witness the maturity that was evident in their
lives and ministries. Precious souls, transformed by the power of Christ
within!
I preached on establishing a
‘Heritage’, a lifestyle, that would ‘bless’ our children, the body of
Christ, and future generations. Many responded to an ‘altar call’ to
commit, or recommit, their lives to Christ. Two were first time
decisions!
Note: A special thanks to
those of you who helped to get my testimony ‘Free Indeed’ reprinted. This
book will go places I could never go. Copies are now available in an
updated version for a minimum $10.00 donation, which provides for free
distribution to prisoners. (shipping included)
Thanks again for your love, prayers and support.
