I Am the Chief of Sinners

“Do you understand that the loss of comforts and privileges in this life can strengthen and enable you to become broken bread for others?” – Os Hillman

I served as a prison minister – first as a volunteer, then as a part-time employee, and finally as a full-time missionary – for 35 years. One of the things that my time in prison ministry taught me was that there was very little difference between me and the inmates to whom I ministered.

Sure, they had been arrested, tried, convicted, and incarcerated whereas I have never received as much as a speeding ticket (knock on wood!) However, it didn’t take me long to understand that like them – and the Apostle Paul before me – I am the “chief of sinners” (see I Timothy 1:15).

Being able to identify with men behind bars who committed often heinous crimes made me a more effective minister. Instead of reaching down to pull them up, I sidled up next to them and tried my best to understand their predicament. Then, after demonstrating how much I cared about them as individuals, I was able to offer them a better way. Actually, a better Way (see John 14:6).

To me, that is what prison ministry – and all ministries – are about. Identifying with the person who is lost and lonely and simply pointing them to Jesus. He is the only One who can heal their wounds, spiritually and otherwise, and forgive their sins.

Years ago, on a prison ministry trip, one of our vehicles broke down. The driver of the car reached into his glove compartment and pulled out two items: the manual and a pair of gloves. He then proceeded to put on the gloves while he read the instructions in the manual to the player who was crawling under the vehicle making the necessary repairs.

Sounds comical, right? Folks, we need to stop being afraid of getting a little dirt on our hands if we are going to minister effectively to those trapped by sin. So, let’s take off the gloves and start crawling under a few cars… or visiting a few prisons.

“I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Matthew 25:36 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President