The Body of Christ... in Prison

Ever wondered if God can use you?

On Saturday, Studly and I will be leading a team into the juvenile prison about 20 miles north of here. It fascinates me to consider the individuals who make up our team. They're of all shapes and sizes, colors and creeds, backgrounds and industries. Of course each event has a slightly different make up of teammates depending on who is able to go each time. It is always fun to see who God brings together.

On Saturday, our team will include:

• a single, working grandmother of four and mother of eight
• a tax accountant
• an electrician
• a 30-year-old personal trainer and his wife who are the proud new parents of a 10-month-old daughter
• a career air force pilot who now works in the financial industry
• an out-of-work mortgage broker who is currently going through a family crisis
• a mechanic who has only a third grade education
• a former "1%-er" outlaw motorcycle gang member who was diagnosed with liver cancer last week
• a federal agent who is elbow-deep in preparation for the trial of corrupt government officials
• a 36-year-old single elementary school teacher who will drive over three hours one way to join us. She usually brings her 81-year-old grandmother who is a mighty woman of God, but Grandma recently broke her hip in three places and can't make it this time.
• a couple in their 70s whose son spent years in and out of prison and recently died from a drug overdose
• a 26-year-old US Navy recruiter
• a commercial aircraft mechanic
• a graphic artist and print shop manager

Studly makes a fine leader and head of ministry, but his bullet point on that list would say:

• a 54-year-old entrepreneur who allowed God to use his broken heart and his dog to tell others about Jesus.

And then there's me... a scared, broken little girl whose paralyzing panic attacks are incongruent with flourishing in a ministry inside prison walls, but by God's grace can testify of His power to transform.

On Saturday, 150 incarcerated kids will hear about Jesus for the first time or will be encouraged toward getting to know Him personally. They'll hear how Jesus changed the lives of all those folks in that list above. They'll hear that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They'll be told that God doesn't make junk and that they are precious to Him. They'll hear the words "I love you" possibly for the first time in their lives. And they'll get to pet a big dog who is undoubtedly directed by angels.

If God can use all of these for His purpose, can't He use you, too? Wounded, broken, hurting, failing but still trying, and never forgetting His grace... those are who He can use.

Get off the bench. Get into the game. Wherever you are. However you're called. Don't miss the blessing of being part of the body of Christ.