This post was originally published on this site
Tuesday:
When we got to the prison, we did a little meet-and-greet with some of the inmates who shared their testimonies. I was struck by their openness and by how Christ had touched their lives. Their insights were helpful for me – statements like, “If I were on trial for being a Christian, would I be found guilty?” Many guys spend time thinking deeply about the past or the future but not thinking about what they can do today.
One gentleman broke my heart when he said that he feels the condemnation of the world and feels the condemnation of God. I think what struck me the most was how touched they all were that we came to see them.
It never felt like I did much for them while I was there, but just being there and showing up showed them that I care. It was a very moving example for me of the ministry of presence and its importance.
The appreciation and gratitude I felt was intense. What was amazing to me was that we did not do that much. We just showed up and cared. That was all they needed from us. They need our ministry of presence to show them that people still care about them and haven’t forgotten then.
Wednesday:
Today was more of what I expected from prison ministry. It felt more like the CPE/hospital chaplaincy that I was used to. We went around visiting different units and meeting with inmates in a more individual setting. We had the chance to speak one-on-one with an inmate as well. This was my favorite experience of the week so far.
I had the chance to meet with Miguel, and he made me understand some things in a way I just couldn’t before. Miguel is a Jehovah’s Witness but frequently attends Orthodox services and meetings. I found this to be curious, and I asked him why, and he told me two things: Father John and the guys.
He told me that when he first got to Waymart, he witnessed a correctional officer give Father John a difficult time. He really laid into him, but Father John did not react. Later Father John told us that it took him a lot to maintain his composure but that he managed to. Miguel saw this and was drawn to Father John.
Growing up Orthodox, we were always told the greatest evangelical tool we have is to live the Christian life. To me, that meant great. I don’t have to actually talk to anyone. I will just do my thing; my job is done, but have I been living a Christian life?
On Tuesday, one of the inmates posed the question: “If I was on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict?” This story from Miguel both showed me the power and truth of that idea that the Christian life is evangelical and that perhaps I do not always live the Christian life, whether we know it or not. People witness us and know what we are doing, and if I am honest with myself, could I have maintained my composure if a correctional officer was yelling at me? I do not know, but now I am aware, and when things like that come up, say a prayer and enter into relationship with the person because they are probably going through something themselves.
For someone like Miguel and many other inmates, the thing that is important is not the religion or faith tradition but the faithfulness. God will work on Miguel in his own time. For now, inviting him to be in community with faithful Orthodox Christians, knowing him, listening to him, and loving him is all that we are called to do. The point of this ministry is not to convert but to love.
I found that in the conversation with him, he loves sci-fi and that he designs non-violent video games, and he is learning Japanese. Do I want him to convert? Of course I want him to have the fullness of the faith, but conversation is a miracle from God. I can only try my best to live the Christian life and to love him and get to know him.
Thursday:
Today was not expected. Sure, I knew the basic outline of the day: we would visit some forensics units, offer simple Bible study, and move on. When we got into the circle Father Deacon Thomas gave a wonderful introduction to John 3:16 and 17. In fact it was very moving and I think it had a great impact on the inmates present.
Then came the questions. We were told to keep them simple but the inmates had other plans. They asked questions about belief, the nature of the Trinity, the meaning of scriptural passages, many difficult and interesting questions. Some of the questions made me realize that I need to work on some of my responses, understanding who it is I am interacting with and how to answer that audience. Speaking about the Trinity to these inmates doesn’t work well if I try to answer in an academic way using words like hypostasis and nature. I was given a lifeline when Father John brought up the idea of using analogy. Father Deacon Thomas also greatly helped me as I struggled to make the concept of theosis understandable in a seminary context.
You often take for granted that everyone has a baseline understanding of the things but in any other context, whether that is prison ministry, youth ministry, or even simply parish ministry, everyone is going to have a different knowledge set. I need to work on being
Prepared to offer understandable explanations for things even as complicated as the Trinity
The other thing that struck me today was meeting John Thomas. Later on Father John explained to us that he was the most dangerous inmate in that prison and we watched him cry as he spoke about his relationship with Father John. I mean what a crazy thing to witness. We never learned what he had done but to be labeled the most dangerous man in the prison says a lot. Here he was crying while talking to Father about Father John. It has simply not stopped amazing me to understand the lives that have been touched in this prison.
Friday:
The last day proved to be another moving day, although every day has had a profound effect on me. We witnessed two men who had been criminals before become new men. There was no more powerful way to end the week. One can find Christ in the worst places, and his light shines brightly even there. To be a small part of these men’s lives means the world to me, and this was an experience that I will never forget.
The whole experience has moved me deeply. I learned so much over the course of Zoom sessions, but nothing compares to this week. I witnessed miracles greater than I ever could have imagined, but nothing moved me more than spending time with Father John and Father Stephen. Two men I find to be the most inspiring and whom I wish to emulate in some small way when I am ordained. I want to be part of prison ministry as much as I can and hope to get more and more involved as time goes on.
Thank you very much for this amazing course and for letting me be part of it. I was moved to literal tears by it, and I pray it shall continue for many years to come.
