By Chaplain Chris Greaves
Have you ever experienced the loneliness of being away from family during special times of the year? Or have you ever felt discouraged by the events happening in your life?
Inmates share their experiences with us, expressing feelings of loneliness, discouragement, shame, and the overwhelming sense of being trapped in a vicious cycle. They seek answers and, at times, simply a friend.
During these times, chaplains are invited to walk alongside them. We receive an exceptional opportunity to offer hope and help disrupt the cycle of darkness and despair they’re facing through a relationship with Jesus. What can happen to someone when they realize they’re not alone is fantastic.
That’s why I love serving as a chaplain with Good News Global. Our goal is simple: allow the light, life, and love of Jesus Christ to flow through us to those in need. It doesn’t get better than that!
Let me tell you about a new friend of mine – his name is Jonathan. It was the week of Thanksgiving when I first met him in his cell in maximum security. His body was ravaged by meth and who knows what else. His face and body are covered in tattoos – some are professional, while others are less so. I’ll be honest – I was slightly intimidated.
He felt lonely and discouraged because he missed his family. He wanted to talk to someone—anyone—so he requested to see a chaplain.
And he didn’t even know what a chaplain was! He felt hopeless and overwhelmed by so many bad decisions—decisions that wrecked his family.
To speak with Jonathan, I had to lean into the narrow gap of the slider on his cell door so we could hear each other. I asked him what was on his heart, and he said he missed his family. He inquired about what a chaplain was, so I explained that I was a pastor and my primary role was to support him, reassuring him that God loves him and that life isn’t over just because he’s in jail.
It turned out that was the first time in his life that he had ever heard about God’s love for him and that Jesus died on the cross for his sins. His eyes filled with disbelief, and he gently argued, “But…you don’t know what I’ve done.” “I don’t, but God does,” I replied, “and there’s nothing you can do to make Him love you any less.”
He stared at me silently, struggling to hold back his tears. I asked if he wanted to pray and ask Jesus to be his savior. With a nod, I led him in a simple prayer of faith. As we said “amen,” I noticed him softly speaking to himself, so I leaned in closer, pressing my ear against the narrow gap to hear him whisper repeatedly, “I feel at peace.”
He still misses his family. He still has tattoos. But he’s a new man—and now he’s sharing his faith in Jesus with other guys!
That’s why we do what we do—so that men and women can meet Jesus and find hope and peace, giving them a chance at a new life. I love it! I love being someone they can talk to, giving me the privilege to share Christ.
While God has opened doors for me and other chaplains to enter places no one else can reach, this can only happen with prayers and financial support of our partners.
