Field Trip to Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge Visit

Written by Ken Van Zee, 
  Launch Team Member & Member of Faith CRC in Pella 

   Rick and I had the opportunity on Friday, January 14 to go to Fort Dodge and visit with the pastors and inmates of The Church of the Damascus Road prison church. 

Link to Church of the Damascus Road 

   In the morning we met with Pastor Paul Stone, the prison pastor and Pastor Carroll Lang who takes care of the follow up of the inmates once they have been released.   Pastor Lang also takes care of the content and layout of their newsletters.  We met them in their office at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

 

In the afternoon Pastor Stone took us to the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility.  He gave us a tour and then showed us the chapel where they have their meetings and worship.  In this chapel, they have a great library of Christian books, videos, and a nice sized assortment of Christian music.  During the afternoon we visited in the office Pastor Stone has in the back of the chapel.  While there we experienced a constant number of inmates who wanted to check out materials.  We enjoyed visiting with several of the inmates.  Many were willing to share their story and tell us what this ministry has done to change their lives.  It was great to hear about God working in their lives. 

Worshiping God at Church of the Damascus Road

   In the evening we were given the opportunity to experience “prison” food.  Then about 6:00 p.m. inmates started to arrive in the chapel to visit and prepare for the Bible study that was scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  Pastor Stone led the group of about 50 inmates.  Rick and I had the opportunity to witness and participate in the great interaction and excitement as they discussed Matthew 6.  

   We had the opportunity to tell them about the New Life Prison Church and they were very encouraging.  We closed the evening with a time of prayer.  God is truly blessing this ministry and changing hearts.