Do the Math...
Thursday, September 28, 2023
“Where the case is very urgent, we must be prepared to run some risks and shock some people… We need more daring creative faith among us! Dear reader, let us seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers and try today to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord.” – C.H. Spurgeon
Do the math…
There are approximately 2 million inmates in America. Studies continue to show that roughly 80% of them refuse to attend a conventional religious program, such as a chapel service or a Bible study. That means that 1.6 million inmates are in danger of not being evangelized because they won’t darken the door of the prison chapel.
So, where ARE these prisoners if they aren’t in the chapel? Well, I can tell you from personal experience that they are congregating in the recreation yard, the gym, and the weight room. Now you know why God led me to start America’s first-ever athletic prison ministry way back in 1987. Actually, He started burdening me with the idea in 1982, but it took five years for that vision to become a reality.
Although I am no longer actively involved in prison ministry, the organization I founded 36 years ago is still in operation. Why has it lasted so long? Simply because it takes a creative approach to evangelism and discipleship. Thinking outside the box was – and is – one of the secrets to success when it comes to ministry.
Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” put it this way: “When faith and love are truly set on winning souls, we will learn to be creative in our approach.”
My friend, we serve a VERY creative God. Just look around at nature – and other people – if you don’t believe me. So, why shouldn’t we be creative, too? After all, Genesis 1:26 tells us that we were created in His image and likeness.
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
