The Commission Ministries ministry team goes through the first gate together in single file formation. The gate closes behind us; we are now in an enclosed area between two gates, one more outside gate to go and we are inside the main complex. Once inside we sign a log sheet to check-in and we pass our drivers license in through a sliding drawer for security reasons. Security reasons imagine that in a prison.

Apprehension grows and anticipation increases within me, as we wait in the front entrance until we are granted permission to go to our designated place of ministry. After a time delay beyond our control; we are now going in through the first secured door and through the metal detectors. After a few buzzes from belt buckles and other metal not removed from pockets, we go to the Chapel area where we will hold our first Church service of the weekend.

It is now a few minutes after 6:00PM; a few inmates begin coming in. We soon find out this is the Worship Choir and band. These men dressed alike in white uniforms furnished by the state begin to play and sing choruses and hymns unto their God. Heaven opens up and descends upon this place secured by steel bars and razor tipped fences. I am stunned and appalled by what I am experiencing while I view the faces of these men as the Joy and Hope of Christ radiates from deep within them.

The voices are pure and real; all religious constraints are gone and have been stripped away from them. You feel the only freedom that they can enjoy, the freedom to express themselves in Christ through Worship. At 7:00PM; the inmates that have chosen to go to Church begin filing through the south door of the Chapel. The ministry team forms a meet and greet line on both sides of the door. I quickly join the Commission Ministries ministry team and help welcome them with a strong handshake and a friendly smile.

Church service begins as the Chaplain takes the reigns and greets the inmates like he must of done hundreds of times before. The Worship team consisting of 15 men in the Choir; a drummer, a keyboard player and two guitar players usher in the presence of God as they minister in music and song.

I am in awe as realization hits me that these men are imprisoned behind these walls made by man. But now for a short while, they are able to experience the only freedom they truly have, the freedom they have received in Christ. Freedom to express themselves in front of their peers who wear the same white uniform as they lift their hands in honor of the captain of their salvation and Christ their Lord. The sound resonates throughout the room as the ministry team and congregation of inmates experience a revival like atmosphere.

Brian Hilts takes the microphone and greets the congregation like only Brian can. Wit and humor mixed with a strong knowledge of the Word are tools that God has so graciously bestowed on this man called by God to the jails and prisons of this nation. Brian introduces the Commission Ministries ministry team that he has assembled and then introduces his one time Youth Pastor and now long time friend - Preston Smith, founder of Next Generation Ministries.

Preston immediately takes control of the service like he has done thousands of times for over 25 years of ministry and service to the Lord. The inmates received Preston's preaching of the Word and pardon the pun were "locked and loaded" onto his delivery of the message. Preston came out with a 2' by 6' (figuratively speaking) and instantly had their attention with the announcement of his message for the evening.

Approximately 120 inmates were present in this room known to them as Church. As Preston opened the alter (front of the room), several came to the front as a public display of their confession of Christ. Preston gave a second alter call and even more gathered in the front as the Holy Sprit drew these men to repentance.

I looked into the faces of these men and saw the light of Christ in their eyes and upon their countenance. Tears streamed down faces as the reality of truth was soaking in and hope was being renewed and restored in them.

On Saturday evening we had another Church service with approximately 100 inmates present. Same dynamic ministry of music from the inmate Worship band and choir. Another outpouring of the Holy Spirit as Preston delivered the Word of God as boldly as any one can yet always mixed with the compassion of Christ.

The Commission Ministries ministry team shook hands with the inmates and hugged many as they made their way out of the room and back to their barracks surrounded by steel bars.

I was changed forever this weekend as I went over the Chapel services in my mind detail by detail. I will never forget these men that have made bad choices and are now repaying their debt from within the walls of imprisonment.

Please continue to pray for these men as they journey from the Cell to the Cross.

written by kirk hobbs