Alexander
County, NC
First Maximum-Security Prison to have a "One Day with God" Camp" in NC
Consider
a place where inhabitants never bear children but the population
continues to record wild population growth.
In 2002 God gave Forgiven
Ministry a vision. If we could bring reconciliation to
inmates and their children, replacing the anger in a child’s
heart with sincere love and forgiveness, we could see the prison population
growth decrease. Jack and Scottie Barnes, founders of the ministry,
believe that the children are also victims of the crimes their parents
have committed. As the child of an inmate for many years, Scottie feels
that a child spending a quality day of Christian programming
with their parent could change the direction that the child takes in
life. God’s unconditional love is witnessed throughout the event
as Christian volunteers become the hands of God to inmates and their
children.
“I can still feel the excitement in my heart when Chaplain Redding of Alexander Correctional Institution expressed his desire for a “One Day with God” camp at the unit. Being invited inside a maximum-security prison for a camp was truly a God opened door. The men serving time in the Alexander prison usually have long sentences, which would keep their children from the activities our camps provide. One young boy whose father has many years told his grandmother that he saw his father eat a hamburger for the first time and jump during the game time. Very proud of his father, he went on to say that he had the strongest daddy there. I am sure they all felt the same about their parent.”
The camp event began on Friday with each father spending five hours in a Christian program called “GreatDads”. Forgiven Ministry partners with this organization which teaches the fathers what God has to say about being a dad. Each father spends the last hour wrapping a gift for his children, writing a message in their child’s Bible and a participating in a forgiven ceremony that explains the plan of salvation. At the end of the Great Dads training, each father is given an opportunity to sign a commitment certificate for his child that says, “You are a unique gift from God and a very special treasure in my life. I am thrilled that you are my child. So it is with great joy that I commit myself to be a Great Dad to you – always loving you, encouraging you, and caring for you – with the guidance and grace of God.” I believe that they leave that program understanding that incarceration does not have to diminish fatherhood. “ I know that the spirit of God can change lives behind the concrete and bars as much as in our churches”, expressed Scottie. Her father became a Christian before entering prison for the last time.
163 volunteers from 18 different churches came together on Saturday, July 16th to carry out the work that God had put in place. Forgiven Ministry had trained the volunteers for the journey, but nothing could prepare them for the wonderful day that they would experience. The group gathered in the prison parking lot in a circle of prayer. As the children arrived each volunteer mentor assisted the family in registration, assuring the caregivers of the children that they would be cared for. The fathers waited anxiously inside the gym facility for the children as Rev. Jamie Steele led them in a time of prayer and worship. Three Forks Praise Band ministered to them in song.
The Joyful Hearts Clown team led the children into the prison. This would be the first time the children had been taken beyond the visitation room. “One little boy surprisingly remarked, “This is where my daddy lives. Look! There is a cafeteria ”. Scottie knows that in their little hearts they carry the burden of the mystery of their parent’s living conditions. Questions that children should not have to carry in their hearts.
Activities throughout the day include a circle of prayer, games, crafts, praise and worship, a Christian movie of high impact and a testimony which exemplifies Christ. Erika Harold, Miss American 2003, spent the day with the children. She shared her testimony in word and song. Erika expressed to the campers that there is a crown we will receive from Christ that is much more important than a Miss America crown. “I think that Erika placed her crown on almost every child, inmate and volunteer at the “One Day with God” camp. God truly sent a living testimony and Godly example to be a part of our day,” said Scottie. We were contacted by Prison Fellowship, where Erika is serving an internship this summer. She had expressed an interest in coming to be part of the event. The craft is a small lamp with a crystal shade that the child and father build together. We share that in their dark world that Jesus is the light and in Him there is no darkness. The last hour is spent with the father and children in a quiet time. This is a time that the dad can share his heart and perhaps seeks forgiveness from the children. It is also a time when the heart of both the child and parent can be healed. “I have witnessed an angry teenage son who hated his father upon arrival reach around his father’s neck and tell him that he forgives him and loves him. Could this child have taken this anger out in crime? I feel that God began a work in this young man’s heart.” Scottie went on to say that we are seeing this as we travel across the United States. The children were led out into the cement wall smoking area for the final event of the day. Each child and father were given a balloon to release after being asked if they had felt the love of their father/child that day. Every balloon soared to the heavens as if to say, “Thank you God for a day of reconciliation, a day of love and forgiveness”. The fathers then took off their yellow t-shirts that matched their child’s shirt and gave it to their children. Each dad is given the opportunity to write a message on the shirt. For many of the children this is all they have as a memento of their father, to last for a lifetime or until he pays his debt to society.
Alexander
County, NC
“ I
know that the spirit of God can change lives behind the concrete and
bars as much as in our churches.” Scottie
Barnes
continued from left column...
What about the caregivers . . . those taking care of the children? In 2005, God impressed the ministry that unless we reach the entire family with God’s love then we have failed to bring healing to these homes. During the camp at Alexander Correctional, Macedonia Baptist Church opened their doors to these families and Christian volunteers ministered the same love and forgiveness. It was called, “A Day of Hope”. Connie Wagner, a vital part of Forgiven Ministry, led the caregiver’s seminar. Volunteers at the close of the day were so excited to see and witness hearts that were consumed with guilt and shame being healed. Inmate family members were excited that for the first time in their life somebody sincerely cared about them. They experienced God and will never be the same. One mother wrote in a letter to Scottie, “I could not share my story but I listened to others, and for the first time in five years I realized it was not my fault, the crime that had been committed. I can now face the world with a smile and hold my head up. My children and I have started back to church since the camp. Without the “day of hope” meeting, I would not have gotten the help I needed to find good in a troubled time. Peace and joy have come back into our hearts and lives.” Also in the same envelope was a letter from the children that read, “I really enjoyed the day with my dad. My mom hung my dad’s tee shirt and pictures on the wall in my room. Mom don’t cry no more. It helped her a lot and we have started going to church. I hope you will be able to help other kids and their dads. Thank you”. These are the things that fuel the passion of Jack and Scottie. Scottie feels the doors are open in the Department of Corrections and the opportunity is now to share Christ behind the walls. We can make a difference in the dark world of these families through Christ. The delicious meal for the caregivers was prepared and lovingly served by Conover First United Methodist Men. This act of love touched many hearts.
Scottie expressed her excitement that the building has been ordered for a center to minister to these families in an ongoing program. “It is a step of faith, trusting Jesus for the finished product. The entire ministry has operated by faith and look what God has done. Louisiana and Colorado have joined North Carolina in “One Day with God” camps. South Texas, California and Ohio want camps in 2006 and 2007. Nine camps have been held since September 2004 with five more scheduled in 2005. To God Be the Glory, for with Him nothing is impossible. This is my response to it all”. We encourage anyone who would like to be part of this great work through donations or serving to contact Forgiven Ministry at 828-632-6424 or forgivenministry@vol.com.
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