Dear Loyal Companions to the Ministry,

There once were two thieves, which were at Calvary or crucified with Christ. We all most likely have heard the story. The difference in the two is quite remarkable. The one was granted to be a part of the eternal kingdom of God and the other refused. However the opportunity was there for both. There between the two was the answer to their immediate need of eternal life.

You see one had become remorseful and the other hardened. This is where we are in prison ministry, doing are best to decipher or determine between the two thieves. The ones that will say Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Remember me what a statement to our Lord, in asking the repentive thief was saying I believe in the kingdom of God a place where our souls perish not and God's majesty is at rule.

This thief realized there was no escape from the death of the Romans judgment but he believed in a better place where he was forgiven and no longer condemned, he also recognized he was condemned justly. We are not trying to excuse anyone's crime only to prepare them to enter into the vastness of eternity.

The repentant thief realized who he was next to perhaps in his last moments of life he realized he was looking at life itself, the gift of Life imparted spiritually, perhaps when he heard Jesus say I thirst, it made him think of his human thirst for forgiveness and reflection on eternity. Perhaps even the Angelic beings present and just the presence of God himself was more than his consciousness could bear.
But he wanted what Jesus could offer him. His eyes were opened to see.

We may never know but we do know Jesus gave to him or declared the Justification of this sinner. Jesus in his last breathes declares or says to him today, Today you will be with me in Paradise. Today expresses a word of Pardon immediately granted to him, to the Jews below blasphemy (for who alone can forgive sin) but to the thief a living Hope and freshness in his soul to hear the words of forgiveness before His departure. After hearing these great words he then saw Jesus die but he knew moments our hours from then he would be with Him.

We offer what Christ can do, we can do no more, it is only operating according to the Great Commission that our Lord tells us whosever’s sins you remit are remitted and whosever’s sin you retain are retained. We can only share the message of remission of sin and grant them through the cross the Forgiveness they need to find Life and Hope.

This cross story with the thief shows us that it all revolves around HIM our savior. We must continue this great labor of Love; it is a labor of Love. It is easy to love the non – violent, friendly personalities but in God's kingdom His love is so different. It says who condemns you? Neither do I, go and sin no more. In prison ministry we can only offer to them what God has already given them. For two thousand years, he has granted to humanity Salvation through this death and resurrection of His son. Prisons for us have been the most fruitful place to share this word.

God grants us all Forgiveness, so we all deserve the opportunity to hear. Our jails, our prisons, our efforts are not paths we have just said we want to do; they are paths we have been instructed we believe to do. God is doing a great, merciful work in American Society; the only thing is it is within our society and its social structure. One of the greatest educations of Christian training and learning is not in Christian schools alone but it is in prisons very strongly. There is more proclamation of the Gospel in prisons than any where in America.

Prisons have become the educational grounds of the New Testament in staggering numbers.

I have just finished training in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the Department of Corrections for the state of Oklahoma to become a statewide volunteer I was present with our jail minister, my friend Ben Tinsley. Our next meeting will be in Lexington, Oklahoma for a weekend of ministry. Please continue to Believe, Abide and Pray for we cannot do this without you and the Blessings of God in our ministry.

God bless you and cause his face to shine upon you in all you do,

Thank you for your support,

Brian Hilts