A Testimony
“I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”
I remember when I met Doug at The Farm (Essex County Alternative Correctional Facility) in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It was the first time I had ever been to The Farm, and it was the first time I had ever been sentenced to do time. I was serving four months of an 18-month sentence. Little did I know it wouldn't be my last sentence, or the last time I would see this man.
I remember hearing Doug's voice come over the intercom system announcing there would be a Christian fellowship service. I felt the conviction of the Spirit deep within just hearing him say that. I knew I had to go, so I went.
I sat mid-row and listened as Doug, all by himself, played his piano and put on a worship service. I love to worship, and Doug loved worship as much as I did. So, that's what we did. We worshiped God together that day.
Even now, thinking about God's presence in the room that day and everything He has done from that day to this day, can get the tears flowing, lol. There has always been a call on my life, and I have always heard God's voice. Doug spoke, but to be honest, I would have to say God spoke through him that day, as I am sure He often does. I sat in a teary-eyed, snot-filled mess as God's Spirit spoke to me. Though I heard God's voice then, and I know what He was asking, I was still not ready, willing, or able to let go of the things that had a hold of my heart.
It's incredible how a man whose heart has been freed by the loving power of Christ can see another man trapped in the state which he used to be in. More importantly, it is when he can see that man through the loving eyes of Christ. Only a man who walks in complete freedom and gratefulness for that freedom can have the patience and education that Doug and others like him have. I know I sat in his office or across from him at many tables, and he saw the things that had a hold of my heart. But, He diligently prayed and ministered to me for years. He never judged me, but he always spoke the truth as well. Doug was there every time I fell to try and guide me back to Jesus, and it was Doug who drove me to Teen Challenge over three years ago when, I was finally ready.
The consistent, firm truth delivered in loving kindness and combined with the prayers of the saints has won more souls to the gospel than anything else I can think of. Thank you to anyone serving in prison ministry, and thank you to Doug! Praise be to Jesus for what he and others like him do.
Nathan Chase sucessfully completed the Teen Challenge Program and now serves the Lord in full-time ministry at their Brockton campus.
