As an evangelist, folks may think we are so global or “national” that we don’t do much ministry locally. Honestly, some of my best moments are one on one when no one was looking but God and the one being ministered to regardless if at a funeral home, hospital, church visitation or prison. Folks are almost always surprised when fellow evangelists walk in because I guess they assume we only work on “stage” or so busy saving the world that how would our schedule make room for them? The fact is we should be careful never to get to busy for “them.” Because Jesus was clear: “When we minister to them we are actually ministering unto Him.”
Just last week, I went to the local prison in my hometown to visit a friend incarcerated and as I was walking into the dentention center it dawned on me that all of us are one wrong decision away from being in a similar place. That is a humbling and sobering thought. I have learned the folks that think they will never fall are the ones that too often do. A special thanks to my friend, Chaplain Lewis who cleared me to enter. He is first class and God uses him in a powerful way on a daily basis to minister to those while in prison. Last year, both former Heavyweight Wrestling Champ and now Evangelist Nikita Koloff and I, had the privilege to preach to those shackled in prison at the very same jail.
As always, the Lord showed up then and again last week when I had the chance to minister one on one with my friend now behind a glass wall talking on a phone. He was crying and I was trying to love on him lavishly like the Lord only could and would. It is easy to get miscontrued in ministry as being so “out there” professionally that we don’t have time for others personally. Honestly, the greatest blessing for me is going “under the radar” and loving on people.
Ironically, I have had various members of other churches contact me because they believed their own pastor would be “too busy” to make house calls, hospital visits and seeing folks in prison. Regardless, if I just spoke in eight states in the past month – the blessing is they know I am both accessible and approachable and when they call I do whatever I can (humanly possible) to make the “un-announced visit.” Folks may see friends like me speak at stadiums, television, radio, church services or publicity in the paper but the behind the scene moments are most special to me.
One, it reminds me why I got in ministry to begin with – to help hurting people find peace in the midst of pain and point them to a personal relationship with Christ. Secondly, it keeps me humble because if I get so “big” that I cannot do this then I am either too busy or borderline in the danger zone – The Bible notes: “Pride goes before the fall.” I love that quote: “If you are too big to do the small things than you will be too small to do the BIG things!”
The blessing is ALL ministry is “BIG” when we have a pure heart and sincere motives. Many want to minister to crowds but unless you are content being a representative of Christ when few are looking you will never amount to much in ministry. God got great JOY speaking to a woman at a well as much as He did feeding five thousand with a little lad’s lunch! As Dr Johnny Hunt says: “Bigger is not better – better is better.” Learn to do the little things BIG and major in the minors. Plus, the one you minister to one on one often values God more and appreciates us for taking the time to love on them in their point of pain. I love that quote: “To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the WORLD.”
The Bible is clear: “True ministry is caring for the widow, orphans, and visiting those in prison.” Man, media and even modern day ministry may not promote it or see it but God does and that is all that matters. Lawyers have to take the “Bar Exam” to practice. As Christians and clergy it is imperative that we too are willing to minister to those that many have forgotten about. Just because they can’t tithe doesn’t mean that God didn’t die to save them, encourage them and bless them.
As I walked up to enter the prison that day I felt like I was taking the Bar Exam myself. The true test is doing what God calls us to do. It’s not to compete with clergy or the church in town but complete the race Christ asked us to run. Lives hang in the balance, real people hurt, souls need saving and ministry can get dirty and ugly at times. The key to passing His Bar exam is not just visiting folks in jail but regardless of the scenario may we all as Christian’s remember to “judge less” and resemble Jesus MORE!
I have never been in a position where I have had to make choices that could send me to prison (other than a series of traffic tickets back in the 80’s). But I play a song on CMI that asks ‘What Will You Do’. What would any of us do to feed our families? I can think of several situations that might cause a reaction that could send any of us away. (Iwas married to one for 7 years).
I pray that I learn to keep an even temper (which is a battle I fight also), in all circumstances and try to walk in the light – as a light for others. When we take the focus off ourselves, that reduces the temptation to be put in those kinds of circumstance. But we all fall and falter and fail. The three F’s that I fear the most.
Once in jail also ministering to friends when I visit I flip it and tell them “no matter how many bad choices you have made it only takes one choice to change your life for now and eternity “
I like this I hope you don’t mind if I post that to my profile…He hee..I totally agree.It’s hard to overcome the flesh in us but with God’s grace and His word we are able to.
Frank, this is so well said! so true!
Amen Brother Frank!