South Dakota Trip

   We just returned from an incredible trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Rose & I are still feeling like zombies because we woke up at 4:00 a.m. to catch a 6:00 a.m. flight back to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The occasion was the annual Come & See Event hosted by Prison Congregations of America.  The event gave us many pointers on planting a prison congregation.  Presenters including 3 prison pastors and their spouses who minister in the prisons in Sioux Falls.  One of the prison pastors was Rev. Steve Moerman who was my mentor during a ten week internship last summer.  Other presenters included a re-entry specialist, three former inmates, and two prison officials.  Overall, the conference was incredible.  The highlight was a visit to prison where we worshiped with the Baptist Congregation - Lighthouse Prison Fellowship - on Thursday evening.  One of the inmates worshiping God at that prison church was a former Wiccan who had converted to Christianity after a persistent evangelist brought him to Christ gradually over time.  On Friday night, Rose and I returned to prison to worship at Cornerstone - the local Christian Reformed prison congregation.  It was incredible to say the least.  We knew many of the inmates as well as the volunteers from our internship last summer on "The Hill." The pic below is The Hill in Sioux Falls - the South Dakota State Penitentiary (SDSP) is a large, brick prison building on top of The Hill - it used to be a military outpost back in the 1800's but now it contains a beautiful chapel with stained glass windows inside.

SDSP on The Hill (pic taken from Falls Park)

   God is calling us to start a prison church too.  It will be called New Life Prison Church in Newton, Iowa.  Lord willing, the ministry will begin in January of 2011 with Bible study groups and prayer.  Hopefully we will build momentum over time and become a worshiping community.  We've felt the support of churches in Pella (Iowa) and the surrounding area.  There were SIX (!) individuals from Pella at the Come & See event in Sioux Falls: Pastor Jeff from 1st Christian Reformed Church (CRC), Pastor Art From Calvary CRC, and four members of Art's church - Bryan & Becky, Howard, and Nuper.  God had a good reason for bringing each of them to Sioux Falls.  Before they returned to Iowa, we circled up and prayed together.  It was an experience of Oneness in the Spirit.  I believe God is going to use this conference as a springboard to make a Big Splash in the prison.  I believe God will change hearts and lives as this prison church begins to grow.  Please pray.