Unlikely New Creatures
Graduates of Practical Pastoring,some from Advanced Pastoring. Over 100 men have completed one or both of these classes. Practical Pastoring, is based on Sumner Wemp's book, Practical Pastoring, taught by Darrell Case. Advanced Pastoring, taught by Larry Lilly, is based on O.S. Hawkins book, Pastor's Guide to Leadership & Living. Darrell Case is one of the most effective volunteer prison chaplains I have ever known.
The man standing between Chaplain Darrell Case and me is serving 134 years. At 19 he was a dropout, totally street wise and dealing. In a drug deal gone bad he dealt with it in the prescribed manner of his peer group. In a few hours three people were dead. His first few years in prison were turbulent, to put it mildly. Christ came into his life and he was totally transformed into a model Christian prisoner.
He has been in prison for nineteen years at this writing, 6-20-13, and has graduated from High School, Ivy Tech, and has earned a Masters from Grace College. He is still working at improving his witness through several avenues. Outstanding is the word for his walk as a Christian in one of the darkest places on earth. He shines as a bright light for Jesus and is a great help to the other men; many, who like him, had no Christian background prior to incarceration. He is blooming where he is planted. Please pray for him.
Each of the men in the group photo have a story to tell and many are heartbreaking. Many have left a trail of broken lives. Yet, they go on honoring Christ.
Neither I nor any knowledgeable prison volunteer ever ask the man or woman, “Why are you here?” When they learn to trust you they will share the why with you. No one in this group is there for minor offenses. Yet they are human and have learned much about themselves and about the Lord Jesus.
Most of the men can honestly say, “If I could change 30 seconds of my life I would not be here.” Others have been serving life sentences on the installment plan. Several have served as pastors on the outside and 30 seconds changed their lives. Others are former deacons. I do not say this to condemn them in any way, only to point out that God put the chastening, forgiving and restoring verses in the Bible because we need them. Adam’s genes often take over in moments of weakness. Thankfully these men who walked with Jesus outside now walk with Him in the halls of infamy.
Over 100 men at this point have completed one or both of the classes we offer. For this we are thankful beyond words.
This Fall we will continue offering the above mentioned classes, plus the Adult Apologetics curriculum from Answers in Genesis, creators of the Creation Museum that is fast becoming a Christian attraction drawing millions of visitors and students from around the world. (At Berean we use the entire Curriculum).
As with most prison ministries we have a strong emphasis on reaching the men for Christ. We believe that by thoroughly equipping the men in this prison to give answer for the hope that is in them, and to do so in an organized intelligent manner, many more will come to trust Christ. Many people who are converted in a prison setting are filled with red hot zeal, but most remain spiritual babes due to a lack of instruction in the realities of the Christian life, hence our efforts at equipping the men, and hopefully later the women, with tools that help them build testimonies where they are.
To add the Apologetics class, which is planned for two years, we have to first have the approval of Chaplain Walker, a good man. Then the plan must be approved by the Superintendent, Richard Brown, friendly to the efforts of different groups to get shanks out of prisoners hands and replace them with a religious book of some kind. We use the Bible! Here’s where the fun begins.
Our plan calls for these three classes to be offered in every state prison in Indiana, and ultimately surrounding states. This is our adjustment of the now world famous plan being used, and working wonders, in the infamous Louisiana State Prison at Angola. The Warden, Burl Cain, is credited with being used of God for miracles at Angola. Over 80% of the prisoners at Angola will die there. Yet Warden Cain’s influence via Jesus Christ gives them hope, courage and the means to bloom where they are planted.
Some of the prisoners are involved in making coffins. Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, is buried in a coffin made by these men. Billy will also be buried in one. New Orleans Seminary supplies high level training for the men who sense a call to preach. Upon completion of the courses, many are selected for incarceration in other Louisiana prisons as missionary type workers. They are held to the strictest of standards.
Our hope is that WVCF Superintendent, Richard Brown, (Mr. Brown is a warden on the order of Clinton Duffy and Burl Cain) will get behind developing such a program, or at least let us enlist the aid of a few highly placed current and former state officials in Indiana, to implement this Christ honoring effort.
One of the benefits is really simple. In Indiana and many states, prisoners are farmed out to other states, and those states use Indiana prison space in return. When this transplanting takes place, our well trained men in effect become missionaries in other prisons, doing work with the intensity and effectiveness that an outside volunteer can never achieve. The same principle is true in that Indiana Prisoners are often transferred to other prisons within the state. Our trained men are ready.
I suspect that due to my age it would be of truly miraculous proportions if this plan is completed during my remaining years of ability. I also know God has His ways and His people.
So, you have our plan in a nutshell. It will most likely evolve (Forgive me Brother Ham) into a little more sophisticated program.
Thank you for taking time to read this. I sincerely hope you will pray with me and the others who share this dream.
He has been in prison for nineteen years at this writing, 6-20-13, and has graduated from High School, Ivy Tech, and has earned a Masters from Grace College. He is still working at improving his witness through several avenues. Outstanding is the word for his walk as a Christian in one of the darkest places on earth. He shines as a bright light for Jesus and is a great help to the other men; many, who like him, had no Christian background prior to incarceration. He is blooming where he is planted. Please pray for him.
Each of the men in the group photo have a story to tell and many are heartbreaking. Many have left a trail of broken lives. Yet, they go on honoring Christ.
Neither I nor any knowledgeable prison volunteer ever ask the man or woman, “Why are you here?” When they learn to trust you they will share the why with you. No one in this group is there for minor offenses. Yet they are human and have learned much about themselves and about the Lord Jesus.
Most of the men can honestly say, “If I could change 30 seconds of my life I would not be here.” Others have been serving life sentences on the installment plan. Several have served as pastors on the outside and 30 seconds changed their lives. Others are former deacons. I do not say this to condemn them in any way, only to point out that God put the chastening, forgiving and restoring verses in the Bible because we need them. Adam’s genes often take over in moments of weakness. Thankfully these men who walked with Jesus outside now walk with Him in the halls of infamy.
Over 100 men at this point have completed one or both of the classes we offer. For this we are thankful beyond words.
This Fall we will continue offering the above mentioned classes, plus the Adult Apologetics curriculum from Answers in Genesis, creators of the Creation Museum that is fast becoming a Christian attraction drawing millions of visitors and students from around the world. (At Berean we use the entire Curriculum).
As with most prison ministries we have a strong emphasis on reaching the men for Christ. We believe that by thoroughly equipping the men in this prison to give answer for the hope that is in them, and to do so in an organized intelligent manner, many more will come to trust Christ. Many people who are converted in a prison setting are filled with red hot zeal, but most remain spiritual babes due to a lack of instruction in the realities of the Christian life, hence our efforts at equipping the men, and hopefully later the women, with tools that help them build testimonies where they are.
To add the Apologetics class, which is planned for two years, we have to first have the approval of Chaplain Walker, a good man. Then the plan must be approved by the Superintendent, Richard Brown, friendly to the efforts of different groups to get shanks out of prisoners hands and replace them with a religious book of some kind. We use the Bible! Here’s where the fun begins.
Our plan calls for these three classes to be offered in every state prison in Indiana, and ultimately surrounding states. This is our adjustment of the now world famous plan being used, and working wonders, in the infamous Louisiana State Prison at Angola. The Warden, Burl Cain, is credited with being used of God for miracles at Angola. Over 80% of the prisoners at Angola will die there. Yet Warden Cain’s influence via Jesus Christ gives them hope, courage and the means to bloom where they are planted.
Some of the prisoners are involved in making coffins. Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, is buried in a coffin made by these men. Billy will also be buried in one. New Orleans Seminary supplies high level training for the men who sense a call to preach. Upon completion of the courses, many are selected for incarceration in other Louisiana prisons as missionary type workers. They are held to the strictest of standards.
Our hope is that WVCF Superintendent, Richard Brown, (Mr. Brown is a warden on the order of Clinton Duffy and Burl Cain) will get behind developing such a program, or at least let us enlist the aid of a few highly placed current and former state officials in Indiana, to implement this Christ honoring effort.
One of the benefits is really simple. In Indiana and many states, prisoners are farmed out to other states, and those states use Indiana prison space in return. When this transplanting takes place, our well trained men in effect become missionaries in other prisons, doing work with the intensity and effectiveness that an outside volunteer can never achieve. The same principle is true in that Indiana Prisoners are often transferred to other prisons within the state. Our trained men are ready.
I suspect that due to my age it would be of truly miraculous proportions if this plan is completed during my remaining years of ability. I also know God has His ways and His people.
So, you have our plan in a nutshell. It will most likely evolve (Forgive me Brother Ham) into a little more sophisticated program.
Thank you for taking time to read this. I sincerely hope you will pray with me and the others who share this dream.
Paula Cooper released!!
Please join me in prayer as I work to have Paula Cooper give her testimony of God's grace in Christ at Berean Baptist Church in the near future. When she was fifteen, Paula committed a murder, along with three other teen girls in Gary, Indiana. Click Paula Cooper Released to read more. A thumbnail of her story is also in my book Outrageous Forgiveness in 30 Days, WestBow Press or from me larrylilly@larrylilly.net at a discounted price of $10 including shipping.
Paula's story is one of the most amazing in modern history.
A member of our church is also a Corrections Officer. One day I mentioned Paula and he said, "Pastor, I know Paula. She often serves a meal to me and she is one of the finest Christian people I have ever met. She stands up for Christ at the prison." Pray for Paula and for our efforts to help her make a safe transition to life outside.
NOTE: Paula Cooper took her life May 26. 2015. She was doing well, but was overwhelmed by the realities of starting a life on the street. I can tell you that starting over after release from prison is much tougher than serving Christ in prison. There is NOT the support for most men and women on the outside that is available 24/7 on the inside. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/27/paula-cooper-youngest-indiana-death-row-inmate-found-dead/27971461/
For more information about the prison ministry or how you can help via prayer, volunteer, or financially, the address is listed here:
Larry Lilly
P.O.Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net
Paula's story is one of the most amazing in modern history.
A member of our church is also a Corrections Officer. One day I mentioned Paula and he said, "Pastor, I know Paula. She often serves a meal to me and she is one of the finest Christian people I have ever met. She stands up for Christ at the prison." Pray for Paula and for our efforts to help her make a safe transition to life outside.
NOTE: Paula Cooper took her life May 26. 2015. She was doing well, but was overwhelmed by the realities of starting a life on the street. I can tell you that starting over after release from prison is much tougher than serving Christ in prison. There is NOT the support for most men and women on the outside that is available 24/7 on the inside. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/27/paula-cooper-youngest-indiana-death-row-inmate-found-dead/27971461/
For more information about the prison ministry or how you can help via prayer, volunteer, or financially, the address is listed here:
Larry Lilly
P.O.Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net