A few months ago I had the honor to sit and listen to Joaquin*, who was in prison for a number of years. He shared with me how he and his church in prison were encountering Jesus like never before. He talked about how God used him to minister through music and prayer to his fellow inmates. Joaquin explained how The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) began to establish the Kingdom foundation of Jesus Christ in his life and the lives of others. And he shared how after a few years of praying, studying, and preparing, he became a TUMI graduate ready to begin the good work of servant-leadership in his community through the local church. Our brother in Christ is a forerunner for Jesus, bringing good news to the poor!
Here is Joaquin's story, in his own words:
“Before I received Jesus in my life, I realized how much He kept me safe and protected. I was in level four prison security and I can’t believe how many times my life was spared from major chaos and conflict. I thank God that He never gave up on me. I received Jesus in my life and never turned back. I was able to take TUMI Bible courses and my eyes and ears were open on what the Kingdom of God is truly about. I praise God that I saw Jesus in prison and fell in love with Him there. It took being in prison to be set free, which is so ironic. I thank God for transforming my mind, my will and my heart to His Kingdom-Gospel-Perspective.”
As an urban Christian missions organization that has been serving in under-resourced communities for over 40 years, this is the kind of testimony that reveals our Abba Father’s love at work. It reveals that the prayer of the saints avails much. So let us praise God that this TUMI graduate is starting a new ministry, leading others to Christ as well as taking on major role of leadership in his church and community. Praise God that broken relationships are being restored and mended. Praise God for the victory and redemptive hope that is moving in our prisons!
However, with thanksgiving and faith, let us continue to pray for those who are incarcerated. Pray for World Impact’s prisoner reentry initiative Incarceration to Incorporation (I2I). We believe that many of the men and women who are currently incarcerated will lead our urban churches. Pray for the development of I2I workshops that will help train churches to do effective prison and prisoner re-entry ministry. There are well over 1,100 student-inmates who are currently receiving seminary-level leadership training in 11 states around the country so keep praying for TUMI as they move forward in their course training efforts. Pray for Joaquin as God opens doors for him to be in leadership roles—he wants to be wise and at peace with his decisions. His Kingdom come and His will be done together!
Read more from Cynthia Peters.
*Name changed for privacy.
