Lives are being transformed as a spiritual revival takes place among inmates inside one of Australia’s toughest jails, the supermaximum Goulburn Correctional Centre.
Prison chaplain Dan Evers has revealed some prisoners have taken the initiative to gather daily to share from the Bible and pray together in the prison yard.
The group started with just two men and has been steadily growing in recent weeks.
The chaplain wrote in My Christian Daily: “There are around 20-30 men gathering daily out in the open prison yard. As a result, a number have come to believe in Jesus, others have reconnected with their faith, and numerous others are joining in as curious seekers.”
“This is a movement of faith that has been changing lives and gaining momentum. Inmates have testified how after becoming a Christian, they have gone back to their cells and shared their new-found faith with their cellmate. Who in turn, has then also given their life to the Lord.”
The ‘inside revival’ means Bibles are in big demand as inmates sign up for Bible study programs.
Dan Evers explains: “These inmates are extremely hungry to read and study God’s Word. Many have signed up to the Crossroads and Emmaus Bible study correspondence courses.”
“These men are publicly unashamed of their faith, and it is having quite an impact on the rest of the gaol. Many officers and fellow inmates have been taking notice. Some have stated that they have not witnessed a spiritual awakening like this in a gaol before.”
The prison chaplain noted a direct correlation with a reduction in the number of disruptive incidents
“This has been nothing short of a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit! It has occurred spontaneously and has been in spite of the fact that the Chaplains have been unable to hold regular Chapel Services in the Maximum Security Chapel (due to a needed refurbishment of the Chapel).”
“Moved by the Spirit, these men have been stirred to gather around God’s word on their own and to pray and support each other in Christian fellowship. They are holding each other accountable and encouraging one other to share the Gospel and to live lives that honour Christ.”
“In the darkness and hopelessness of incarceration, God is shining light and breathing hope into lost and broken lives. Men who knew little about the joy found in Jesus are now trusting in him as their Lord and Saviour. Praise be to God!”
