Grace Community Church
Developing Bibically Grounded Followers of Christ
Touch of Grace
Heavy Metal
For some women at the Harvey Count Detention Center, the heavy metal doors of the jail that lock them in have, in reality, opened another door for them - the door to experiencing the love of Christ Jesus came to set us free, and He continues that work in our hearts today.
The power of Christ is the only power strong enough to release us from our bondage to sin, guilt, shame, self-doubt and a host of other habits and problems that keep us from the freedom that Jesus longs to give us if we would just let of of things we hang onto that keep us in dark places.
I am amazed by Amber’s story. She arrived at the jail never having read the Bible. She was raised not going to church, and was not able to talk about God or faith to anyone.
Amber received a study Bible, and within six months she has read the entire Bible, cover to cover, starting in the Old Testament first. As God’s Word transformed
Amber’s thinking, she began sharing about the Lord with her cellmate, Heather. Now, they have read through the whole New Testament aloud together. Every day, they talk about what God is teaching them.
Heather and Amber’s passion for God’s Word has spread to other women in the jail. Viv has experienced healing from alcohol addiction. Kathy’s testimony is that God has delivered her from the bondage of being spiteful toward others.
Kristy wrote that the Lord has delivered her from drugs and bad choices. Another inmate, “Praises the Lord” for helping her find peace and helping her “let go of pain and anxiety.”
It is a privilege to see the hand of God changing despair into hope and bringing hearts out of darkness into the healing light of Christ. God’s Word is powerfully changing lives as people begin to believe the truth of His Word.
We appreciate Gene Stanghor for providing leadership for the jail team. Special thanks to everyone who prays for the Jail ministry. We feel God’s presence with us as we share about God’s un-conditional love.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more than He already does. And nothing we have done - or even will do - causes Him to love us any less. Amazing grace!
New jail visitors are welcome to check out this opportunity for service.
By Colleen Hall