Chapter 7 - The Eyes Have It

Fact:  After surging for decades, the number of state prisoners in the United States has declined for the first time in nearly 40 years, according to the Pew Center on the States in Washington.

Don’t wait for something to turn up, but go and turn up something.

- D.L. Moody

The vision must be followed by the venture.  It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.                                                                                            

-Vance Havner

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

It is very exciting for me to think that for the first time in over 40 years, the number of state prisoners in the United States has decreased.  It is a sign of hope that men and women behind bars across the country are receiving Christ into their hearts and lives are being radically transformed.  An example of this type of change can be found at the Louisiana State Penitentiary that was once considered “the bloodiest prison in America.”  In the mid-1990’s the prison experienced an unbelievable turnaround when Warden Burl Cain took over leadership and “launched numerous faith-based initiatives at the prison.”  According to an article on Jerry Gaffney Ministries called “Largest Gathering of Inmates and their Children at Louisiana State Penitentiary,” Warden Cain said this is what prompted him to have compassion on the inmates. 

“After witnessing my first execution of a prisoner at Angola, I was extremely convicted and felt accountable not only for the lives, but also the afterlives of my inmates,” said Cain, who now will not let a single prisoner be executed without hearing the redemptive story of the Bible. “Yes they are prisoners, but they are still humans and deserve and need more than most of us to have hope.”

It goes on to say in the article “Since Cain started programs such as the “Experiencing God” study group, over 1,200 of the 5,000-plus inmates at Angola have expressed faith in God.  The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension curriculum at the prison, meanwhile, has seen over 140 inmates graduate from its program, some of whom have gone on to become missionaries, traveling to other prisons to share their testimonies.”  That is the type of tremendous impact that can take place when God’s Word is planted in the heart of an inmate.
    On August 31, 2010 during the writing of this book I had a dream that I feel compelled to share with you.  In my dream, I was visiting a jail I had not recognized and as I entered the corridor to the prison, I got the uncomfortable feeling that is often accompanied by being in a place with potential danger.  As I continued to walk forward I saw an open cell that was overflowing with inmates.  There were mattresses on the floor of the cell and you could just tell there were at least twice as many inmates as there should have been allowed.  The men were noticeably dirty; however, as I continued to move closer to the cell, there was an overwhelming sense of excitement from the inmates to hear God’s Word as they all pulled out their Bibles.  All of a sudden, what once seemed dark and dreary turned into a place of encouragement and hope.  Although this was just a dream, it is a constant reminder of the faith, hope and love only Jesus can provide to inmates.    

AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE FROM A FAMILIAR FACE

The year was 1995 and I was a member of the University of Kentucky Football Team.  The team’s motto for that season was called “The Eyes Have It.”  This was visually depicted on that year’s football media guide with a close-up picture of a Wildcat linebacker’s intense and passionate eyes as he was wearing his helmet.  When looking into the eyes of inmates at the county jail, it doesn’t take too long to figure out whether their eyes have it or not.  I am not only referring to that individual’s salvation but also their passion and desire to live a life that is obedient to God.  In their eyes I have seen hope, fear, remorse, forgiveness, love, confidence, sadness and much more.

    Several years ago I was given the opportunity to address over 250 players and coaches at a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) 7 on 7 football camp in North Carolina.  As I shared my personal testimony with the audience that was sitting in the bleachers, there was a player that kept interrupting me during my talk.  I had brought a duffel bag with copies of my Christian Autobiography called “Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within” and the player took the liberty of taking a book out of my bag.  He started to thumb through it and proceeded to ask me questions during my talk to the players and coaches.  I was cordial with the player and afterwards gave him a copy of my book after he requested if he could have one.  His face would be one of the few I would remember that day even though over ten players had professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior for the first time after giving an invitation.

    Approximately a year and a half later after speaking to those players, I was making my way up the county jail freight elevator on a Saturday morning to visit with the inmates.  As I got off on the third floor and headed towards the holding cell, there were four prisoners waiting for me.  As soon as I was close enough to see their faces, I noticed a very familiar face in the back of the holding cell.  Before I could even say anything the young man said “I remember you.”  You spoke to us at the FCA 7 on 7 football camp.”  As soon as I realized who it was my heart broke.  The same young man that was disruptive a year and a half ago made a decision somewhere along the way that landed him in the county jail.  I didn’t ask him how he got there but stood in awe of the great lengths God will go to continue to love us in spite of falling short.  During the past five years of speaking to student athletes and inmates, this has been the only time I have ever spoken to the same youth outside and inside of jail. 

    The details of that visit are a blur because all I can remember is that young man’s face.  I’ll never forget the fear and uncertainty in his eyes.  I knew God orchestrated this reunion to once again share with him just how much He loves him.  So much He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins.  What are the chances that out of 250 players and coaches, I would reunite with the only player I remembered in the county jail?  There is no such thing as a coincidence.  God is presenting opportunities for us every day to be a light to others and wants to put us in a position to share the good news of the gospel.  Whether or not we capitalize on those opportunities plays an integral role in growing in our faith in Christ.

THE HITMAN ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

                       

It has been over 13 years since I have tackled an opposing ball carrier.  The number of tackles I made playing middle linebacker for the University of Rhode Island during the 1997 and 1998 seasons earned me the nickname of “The Hitman” after leading the Atlantic 10 Conference in tackles for two consecutive seasons.  Now that football is over, I’m focused on tackling something other than ball carriers.  I’m committed to tackling souls for Christ if it is God’s will. 

    Shortly after seeing that young man in jail, I ran into the football coach responsible for running the FCA 7 on 7 football camp at the annual FCA fundraising banquet in Greensboro, NC.  I shared with him what had happened during my recent jail ministry visit.  He said he wanted me to return to speak to the players and coaches during the next camp that was scheduled for the upcoming July.

    In July I returned to speak to the players and coaches at the FCA event.  It was a beautiful day from what I remember and when it was time for the players and coaches to gather together, they all sat down on a grassy knoll.  For the next thirty minutes I had their full attention.  As I navigated the audience through the doors of college and discussed life as a student and college football player, I shared about receiving Jesus Christ for the first time when I was a redshirt freshman at the University of Kentucky.  I discussed how prior to that decision I had a belief in a God but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  When I made that decision I told them my life had forever changed.  Every grade in the classroom and tackle on the field was to glorify God.

    As I prepared to close out the talk, I shared with the players how two years ago I spoke at the same event and talked about the player that was disruptive during the talk.  I told them how a year and a half later I found him in the Greensboro county jail for making a series of wrong decisions.  He was once on that field running a route for a pass but now sits behind bars.  As I led an invitation and asked if there was anyone who wasn’t sure it they had ever professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, hands started to rise in the crowd.  I planned to count the number of hands that were being raised but when the number surpassed 20 I lost count.  That day over 20 players raised their hands to receive Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior for the first time!  Only God knows what kind of impact that will have on these young men’s lives.

    I think people often forget that the “Youth of America” are our future.  As I complete this final chapter, many a youth are sitting in jails across our great country.  The majority of these young men experienced terrible relationships with their fathers or never even knew them.  We have the unique opportunity to introduce them to their Heavenly Father.  I once heard a judge on the radio talk about the special key a father holds to a little boy or girls heart.  It is a key that unlocks something special inside each of us.  Words like acceptance, approval and love are things we all look for from our earthly father.  Although a biological father can and will fall short, our Heavenly Father has a duplicate key that not only unlocks that same lock but far surpasses anything we could ever experience from our earthly father.  He loves us unconditionally and has prepared an eternal place for us in heaven.  All we have to do is receive His Son, Jesus Christ, into our hearts.  We will not only become friends of God but also His children.  The plan of salvation is the best thing you can ever share with someone.  That is what makes going to the county jail so exciting every visit! 

    I pray that you would consider joining me in planting seeds of faith, hope and love in the county jail.  I encourage you to plant seeds of truth wherever you go.  God has called all of us to do something to help expand His heavenly kingdom.  Once I first witnessed God watering a seed planted in the county jail that sprouted a new Christian, there has been no turning back.  To God be all the glory and honor! 

                                              Discussion Questions

1)   Would you agree or disagree that prisoners deserve and need hope?  If you disagree, does reading Matthew 18:21-22 change your mind?

2)   Have you ever taken the time to look into the eyes of a friend or loved one?  Can you tell if something is bothering them?  Are you able to see whether they have hope in their eyes?

3)   Do you believe God presents opportunities every day for us to be a light to others?  If we capitalize on those opportunities, do you think we’ll grow stronger in our faith as a result? 

4)   Do you think the “Youth of America” plays a crucial role in shaping our future?  What are ways you can be active in encouraging young people to be obedient to God and follow His will for their lives?

5)   Is the plan of salvation the best thing you can ever share with someone?  Have you been active in sharing the good news with others?  Do you think the jail ministry is an avenue for you to plant seeds of faith, hope and love?