Pink Badge - it's a Big Deal

This past week I received a pink badge from the Iowa Department of Corrections.  It's a big deal.  But not in the sense that it's a status symbol or to say: "I've arrived."  That would make me too proud and my big head would swell up to fill a room.  


Instead, for me, it's the realization of one of my goals for Phase I of the New Life Prison Church.  Currently we're in the building phase of the new prison congregation.  In the Spirit's power, we're building a ministry on the inside, building relationships with churches & supporters on the outside, and building trust with the Department of Corrections (D.O.C.).


The badge means that the D.O.C. is beginning to trust me.  The pink badge means that as a prison pastor I'll be able to go in and out of the prison without the escort of a corrections officer.  In addition, I won't need to get patted down upon entry.  This is a big form of trust because they trust I won't be bringing in any contraband and I'll be respecting the rules of the institution.  Overall, I'm grateful to God for this small step forward along the Way.


Pastor Rick
May 14, 2011