Prison Revival: Over 100 Inmates Find Christ

More than 100 prisoners recently gave their lives to Christ and 50 wee baptized at a correctional facility in Mississippi, the prison ministry God Behind Bars reports.

Hundreds of prisoners lined up in a gym at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility to hear the testimony of former gang member and ex-inmate Johnny Chang, who was raised in a violent home and trapped in a gang but found Jesus in solitary confinement.

“I was drowning in my sin,” Chang told the inmates. “He’s the lifeguard, and that is why we call him our savior. I was able to believe that, and all that hope cast out all of the darkness out of my heart. You guys are not what society calls you. You are not what MDOC calls you. You are what God calls you, and he calls you guys righteous, holy and sanctified.”

When Chang asked who wanted to make Jesus Lord, many inmates immediately responded, and some dropped to their knees across the gym. The ministry reports that over the course of two days, transformation took place.

“For two straight days, the prison gym was transformed into holy ground,” it posted. “Men hit their knees, hands lifted high. Tears poured out as shackles of shame, addiction and despair were shattered in the presence of Jesus. One hundred-plus men gave their lives to Christ. Fifty-plus were baptized. Hearts that were once hardened were cracked wide open. Chains fell. Voices roared in worship. Freedom reigned. What the enemy meant for destruction, God turned into a revival.”

The word of God and prayer were felt throughout the prison. During one meeting, the ministry said, a volunteer felt prompted by the Lord to walk through the aisles.

“So I obeyed,” the volunteer said. “I started walking slowly through the crowd of broken men. Halfway in, I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I turned, and there he was. A young man. Tall. Tears streaming down his face.

“’I’ve heard all about Jesus today,’ [the inmate] said, his voice shaking. ‘I want to give my life to him. Can you help me?’ We dropped to our knees right there. Surrounded by hundreds of men, I shared the gospel, how Jesus died for his sins, how he rose again to give him new life. He wept like a child. He confessed. He believed. He surrendered.”

For more information, visit www.godbehindbars.com.

–Alan Goforth