Friend of the Prisoner

                                                                    

Dr. John Robson (Left) is a friend of the prisoner.  He is the professor of Christian Ministry at the Angola Extension of the New Orleans Baptist Seminary.  In other words, he teaches the Bible to inmates so that they can do God's good work of ministry behind bars.  

Dr. John did me a huge favor because he helped put words on my experience in Louisiana.  Even though I've been behind the walls in Michigan, South Dakota and Iowa, the experience at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola was quite unique.  In fact, it was like entering a foreign country.  The prison itself is massive - 5000+ prisoners are housed on a "campus" the size of Manhattan.  On the grounds, you can see fields where produce is grown and pasture-land where cattle are grazing.  The prison has unique features, such as its own prison rodeo and craft show.  Inmates also produce a news magazine called the Angolite.  The prison even has two guest houses because so many visitors come from great distances to witness what is happening at Angola.

The place overwhelmed me because it didn't fit neatly within my categories.  To quote Prof. Nydam:  the experience "blew my socks off."  But when Dr. John spoke to our group from Calvin Theological Seminary, he put words to my experience.  He spoke to us about his work at the Bible College in the main prison camp.  His words struck a chord.  With a borrowed pen, I started taking notes on a brown paper towel!  

Here is what Dr. John told us:  Why am I here at Angola?  Well, there are not too many places where you can find God.  I wanted to find God.  And I was delighted to find God here at Angola.  I wanted to be in the presence of God.  What does God want to do with all this?  If men behind bars can change then the world can change. I believe that the Next Great Awakening will come out of prison.   God invites you to join in his work.  When you find him at work, you jump on board the train.  But we must remember this: it's God who is driving the train.

Dr. John is working in cooperation with Warden Cain who supports the work of the Bible College.  Warden Cain speaks of moral rehabilitation of criminals.  In agreement with Dr. Robson, Warden Cain also believes that revival for America will arise out of prison.

Dr. John often wags his finger at his students and says: "Get over yourself."  It's not about us, it's about what HE is doing.  HE owns our ministry.  We're not to take the credit because it is God who deserves all the credit.  So let's get off the tracks, and hop aboard a box car on God's train.  God's train is coming and it has a whole lot of momentum.