It is a joy to tell you that the Philippi prisoner movement continues to grow and spread. Almost all this being done by prisoners. Starting in just one jail, in McKinney, Texas, letters and calls have let us know that our shared prison ministry now serves, every day, in more than 70 state prisons and 5 federal prisons. It would not surprise us if it is double that amount! It speaks of groups of prisoners meeting together every day in their dormitories for fellowship, Bible study and prayer. What surprises most people is that the power of the movement is in the. It certainly is of no surprise to Jesus.
One thing that makes our ministry so powerful is that men and women of faith in God, both Catholic and Evangelical, serve their fellow prisoners together. This year, we defined our faith in a four part creed in which all agree.
The Philippi Prisoners’ Creed
– Jesus Christ is Lord. Praise God! (This is also our greeting)
– God answers prayer.
– The Bible is the Word of God.
– Jesus sends us to make disciples everywhere.
The goal of Philippi prisoners everywhere should be that their prison, like the one in Philippi seen in Acts 16, become a Christian prison. Christian prisons shrink fast because their prisoners, when released, don’t come back! Also, as prisoners are truly transformed by God, prison keepers realize they should send them home sooner.
So, let us pray for prisons to grow smaller and for villages, towns and cities to become Christian as the prisons release and send home Christian missionaries, men and women of God. May we serve well together so all the world will know that Jesus Christ is Lord. Praise God!
