BEHIND THE WIRE: JOEL

   Joel is not who you might picture when you think of a Florida state prisoner. He is bright, articulate, and well educated. A graduate in political science from a college in Atlanta, he is now enrolled in the MINTS Seminary-in-Prison at Everglades Re-Entry Center. Joel plans to earn a masters degree in theological studies.

   The son and grandson of pastors, Joel spent more time at church while growing up than he did at home. He was there every Sunday, of course. But, he was also there several other times during the week. He cannot recall a time when church was not at the center of his family’s life.

   He professed faith in Christ at the age of 12 and by the time he was a teenager was leading Bible studies and prayer meetings. Joel said, “I knew that I had a responsibility that stretched much farther than just attending church services on Sundays. I wanted to be a leader. It burned in my heart to be in ministry.”

   One impactful experience of Joel’s teen years was on a missions trip to Haiti. His father made a trip to Haiti every year and preached there to thousands. Joel went along one year. He said, “my heart was so filled with compassion for these people that I knew that this was going to be part of my service of ministry.” After that first trip Joel went back to Haiti three more times and worked in a clinic, serving some of Haiti’s poorest, neediest people.

   A few years ago, however, Joel’s life hit a rough patch and he got off track. During a time of desperation, he committed two unarmed robberies. He was arrested, convicted, and is currently serving a five-year sentence. Since coming to prison Joel has recommitted his life to Christ and the fire for ministry has returned to his heart. When we started the MINTS Seminary-in-Prison at Everglades Re-Entry Center in January Joel was one of the first to sign up.

   “I believe that this seminary is going to be valuable in helping me grow in the understanding of the Gospel,” Joel said. “It will help me to minister to others and be able to join a ministry when I leave this time of incarceration. I want to help those suffering and be a blessing to the body of Christ.”

   Please pray for Joel to continue growing in Christ and to progress with his studies. Also, please pray for additional qualified teachers for our classes at Everglades Re-Entry.

Will you prayerfully consider investing in changed lives and donate to help support this work? The State does not provide any funds. All funds come from the generous gifts of our friends. Go to mints.edu and use the PayPal button to donate. Designate your gift to Prison Ministry. Or, send a check to MINTS, 14401 Old Cutler Rd., Palmetto Bay, FL 33158 and be sure to write Prison Ministry on the memo line.

BEHIND THE WIRE: ANGEL

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ---Jeremiah 29:11

     Angel is a student in our MINTS Seminary in Prison program at Dade Correctional Institution DCI. He has been in and out of jail and prisons since he was 10 years old. He is 51 and has been incarcerated for more than 30 years of his life. He is now serving a life sentence without possibility of parole.

     It was while he was in solitary confinement that Christ came into that cell, met Angel, and regenerated him. His spiritually dead heart of stone became a heart beating with spiritual life. "I surrendered my life to Jesus, without realizing that it was actually all His doing--He calls, He justifies, and He ultimately glorifies!"

     Angel believes Jeremiah 29:11, that the Lord has plans for his welfare, for a future and a hope for him, even there behind the wire at DCI.

     Angel said, "It is my belief that the Lord has called me to minister in this place, and to give by grace what He has given me through His wonderful grace. MINTS Seminary has proven to be an important part of my walk with Christ. I have been provided with sound doctrine, and educated on important biblical truth, that I may also share them in the Great Commission.

     "I have found support and dedication to help me in my ministry of evangelism in this place of sorrow and pain. In the midst of this terrible place, I've been able to share God's sovereignty through these difficult circumstances. Yes, He walks with us, through pain and suffering."

     I recently wrote a reference letter for Angel's Department of Corrections file. I wrote that I have found Angel to be faithful, loyal, and a hard worker who demonstrates integrity, all of which are true. Today, with tears in his eyes, Angel told me that in his 51 years, no one has ever said anything like that about him.

     God is at work behind the wire at DCI.

     Angel is on track to graduate with an associate of arts degree in theological studies in June.

     Please visit and like our Facebook page: mints international seminary in prisons.

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