release from bondage

On the way back from the prison, Sister Gu Kexin and I were silent. Thinking of the blurred eyes of those compatriots, my eyes became blurry again.

A few hours ago, when Sister Gu and I drove to "Battle Creek" for the first time, the two of us were laughing and chatting about the student group and what kind of environment we were about to face. , what kind of group of people... we have no idea at all.

Three days ago I received a call from Pastor Mason, the warden of Calhoun County Prison. When I learned that there was a group of Chinese people inside, my missionary heart suddenly jumped with joy, but Pastor Mason was obviously more powerful than me. Excited because this group of people were completely unable to communicate with him in English. On the phone, we almost couldn't make an appointment at a suitable time. It was extremely difficult for two preachers to make an appointment.

The Holy Spirit sets a time for meeting

I majored in law in college, and the discussion in class was about how to judge the real "criminals" in court, how to convict them, and bring them to justice. But not much is known about the "prisoners" after they are sentenced. Unexpectedly, just ten years after graduating from college, God would allow me to get to know them from a completely different perspective and serve them, so that these "criminals" condemned by society could be saved.

When I woke up early this morning, the Holy Spirit urged me to go there. "It doesn't matter if you look at them and can't do anything!" I comforted myself.

Call Pastor Mason at 8:13. "How did you know I came back to the office to get something?" On Wednesday mornings, he was often busy until noon before entering the office. However, I knew this was the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

He gave various warnings on the phone: "You must wait for me in this hall before ten o'clock, because I came out specially to pick you up during the closing time of the two Bible study classes." His gift of leadership came from the phone There was a faint message coming from the other end. No mistake, we were standing in the hall at nine forty-five. At 10:50, Pastor Mason came out with a neatly trimmed beard. After some pleasantries, he immediately got to the point.

The more I listen, the more scared I become

Pastor Mason's pace was nothing like the slow pace of Americans in this city, and we almost had to run to follow him through the prison. He took us into the first electric door first. The guard asked us to put all the keys, change, and coats in a wardrobe and lock it with an electric lock. Sister Gu also took down a leather bag with a strap. The guard said to prevent the prisoner from using the strap as a strangling weapon.

"Jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, suspenders, ties, scarves, shoulder straps, pins, overly long key chains, etc., these are all weapons that can be used as threats; because mobile phones and pagers can connect to the outside world, We can't bring them in either." Pastor Mason took our coats and explained nonchalantly: "Generally, relatives and friends who visit the prison can only talk on the phone through the glass window, so there are not many restrictions on clothing, but we are different because we go deep into the prison. In the cells, the gospel is shared in small groups or one-on-one. If there is any kidnapping, rape or other emergency, all electric doors will be closed immediately until the situation is resolved.”

"Be very careful with other musical instruments, music scores, and videos. Whatever you bring in, you must bring out." No matter how pale our faces were, he still kept mumbling...

They don't know what will happen tomorrow?

After passing through electric doors one after another, we arrived at the Chinese unit. The first person to visit was the male prison where sixteen people were locked up together. As soon as he stepped into the prison door, Pastor Mason turned around and left, going back to his business. Facing a dozen pairs of surprised dark eyes, I clearly felt that I did not belong to them.

"Hello everyone!" As soon as these words came out, some of them finally smiled, and the prison ministry of the "Calgary Chinese Christian Church" also started with this greeting!

For the next ten minutes, we sang together and read John 3:16, telling them the good news of God. We also had the opportunity to listen to their thrilling and tearful experiences.

Then we went to the women's prison, where five of them were imprisoned. While singing hymns, one of them started to cry and said with tears that it had been a long time since she heard anyone speak to them in Mandarin. I want to cry too. When the first line of "I Know Who is in Charge of Tomorrow" was sung from their mouths, "I don't know what tomorrow will be like...", several of them choked up and could not continue. I am afraid no one has experienced the message of this song better than them. It's profound.

Before our visit, the prison administration could not communicate with them in language at all. These compatriots could not even get proper treatment for colds, let alone incurable diseases. In addition, the prison requires them to fill in and sign some forms. Some of them write and sign randomly; some do not sign anything at all, and even their rights are lost.

The mission team goes next door

Bringing the gospel to this group of people is a new ministry for me and my church.

This group of compatriots originally came to the United States with dreams in mind, but when they learned that they had lost the case in immigration court and the travel documents had not been produced, their sentences could be said to be life imprisonment. It's like walking in a dark tunnel with no light at the end, but being forced to move forward step by step. But thank God, He is the light, and “the light is the true light, which gives light to every man that comes into the world” (John 1:9).

This group of compatriots’ dreams of finding gold were shattered, and the pain of fear of being deported weighed heavily on my heart; they were like sheep without a shepherd, and the responsibility of preaching God’s powerful gospel to them was also placed on my shoulders. I knew it clearly. It is God who has placed the missionary field next door to us. On the one hand, He is merciful that we do not have to travel long distances to preach the gospel. On the other hand, He also wants to see if we are faithful in small things so that He can entrust us with bigger things. The lives of many brothers and sisters have been changed by participating in this ministry. The church benefits most when they serve together.

Creativity brings life

It is not easy to preach hope and discuss the omnipresence of Jesus Christ to this group of compatriots. Several people once asked me, "I understand that there is eternal life in the future, but what should I do now? Will I be here forever?" This question is not It's not difficult, but they may not be able to understand my answer. After a period of time, through group meetings, God himself used His words to answer the questions of these compatriots.

Although many of them now understand my teachings, I still have to spend more time preparing to supply the needs of these hungry souls. Prison is a place where prisoners are strictly prohibited from expressing any emotions and emotions, so when I meet them with the gospel in a dramatic way, if the content and expression are properly matched, I can often bring out the wonderful message of the gospel. Before each service, I worked hard to dramatize the message and become a key to unlock the heart and break into the anxious spiritual world of my compatriots. For people who have been locked in rigid routines and boxes for a long time, any creativity can bring life. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to practice, and I feel extremely comforted to see them saved.

From this group of compatriots, I deeply realized that a prison can imprison the body, but it cannot imprison the soul. The power of God’s Word was evident in them. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

▲"I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The female compatriots in prison have joined the family of God and have become our brothers and sisters.

Interpret the gospel through action

This group of compatriots needs care in life as well as the edification of truth. In the past, brothers and sisters of the "Calgary Chinese Christian Church" actively participated in prison ministry, whether it was teaching singing songs, teaching the truth, sharing testimonies, or providing medical translation services, or donating money to provide practical help. Our actions are in All provide powerful interpretations of the gospel.

For more than four years, we have been visiting the prison twice a week. Currently, nearly 60 compatriots have decided to believe in Christ, and more than 40 of them were baptized into the name of Christ in the prison. At present, the direction of prison ministry has gradually shifted from gospel to edification because many brothers and sisters have been baptized into the name of the Lord and are in urgent need of discipleship training.

The Immigration Bureau has also issued notices. Perhaps in the near future, they will be released to stay in the United States or repatriated to the country. Every time I go, some people disappear. I hope that God will continue to use prison meetings to inspire and encourage those who are still in prison, so that they can have life and have it more abundantly.

A female compatriot in prison told me after being baptized: "Pastor Wang, thank God! If I had not been caught and put in prison, I would have been busy all my life and might never have had the chance to believe in Jesus." I knew it was God. His hand guided him all the way, and thanks to the support of the brothers and sisters in the church, the compatriots in prison experienced the authenticity and reliability of His words. They now clearly understand that even if the outside world has abandoned them, God the Father in heaven still cares for them and saves them!

Author profile

Pastor Wang Keqiang, graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary, and his wife Xiaoyun pastor the Chinese Christian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan; they have three sons. He also loves music and has a keen sense of music. He taught himself to play drums, guitar, piano and other musical instruments. He wrote poems included in "My Heart Melody Hymn Album 4" and "Send Me", and participated in the "Fountain of Praise" ministry.