Federal Offense (Push The Rock - Prison Ministry)
Last month, I had the opportunity to serve alongside of 6 other brothers in Christ. Our basketball team traveled 3 hours to participate in an evening of ministry at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fairton in South New Jersey. This opportunity came when I was contacted by their athletic coordinator. He had heard of the basketball prison ministry that we were taking part in all over the state of Pennsylvania, and he wanted his facility to get the opportunity to compete against our team. More importantly, he was interested in the message that we brought with us. This is the perfect type of facility to work with. Its very important that these partners recognize we are not solely basketball entertainment, but we are first a team of missionaries who bring the very Word of God into every prison that we enter. What a blessing it is to have been invited into our first Federal Prison.
LONG ROAD – The day started with a LONG 3 hour drive. When we arrived to FCI Fairton, we were warmly welcomed by the staff of correction officers, and others who made the day happen. After going through security, we took a long walk through the facility and entered into the gymnasium. When the gym doors opened, you could feel the intensity and excitement in the air. The place was packed! You could feel the eyes of the inmates looking you up and down, sizing you up, seeing if this game was worth coming to play or watch. For me, this feeling has become normal and I love the doubt they place in an undersized, mostly Caucasian basketball team. The comments and the heckling never stop, so tough skin is very necessary for this ministry. The opposing team had already been warming up and the crowd was at about 150 plus. The officials gave us about 8 minutes to warm up. Normally this would be plenty of time, but after a 3 hour ride, and a desire to have conversations with the crowd or opposing team instead of shooting, it felt like we didn’t get any time to prepare.
GAME TIME – The first few minutes of any basketball game are crucial. This is especially true when you enter into a new prison for the first time. Respect is something that is earned, not given. Our goal is to always get the crowd excited and even on our side as early as possible. This game, I was lucky enough to be the guy that won over the crowd on the very first possession of the game. After stepping up and hitting a deep 3, I gestured to the crowd, to which they responded in an uproar. Momentum and respect had immediately shifted to our side. Their love for us grew as we continued to pour in basket after basket. The inmates who once doubted us had become our biggest fans. The reason I tell you this is because I want you to see how powerful something like sports can be when building relationships with people you don’t even know. There probably aren’t many things we have in common with the men we interacted with that day, but the game of basketball bridged any gap that existed. This day of ministry may have fallen on deaf ears if we weren’t able to perform on the court or if we weren’t bold enough to interact with the crowd. God can take your passions and do the same for you, but you need to step out boldly, even when its uncomfortable. Find your passions and your skill set and use it for The Kingdom!
HALF TIME – This is where the most intentional ministry happens. After a successful first half, we now had the attention of the men who we came to share Jesus with. It is interesting how directly correlated our success in the first half compares with the attentiveness of the crowd during our half time talk. With the entire crowd listening, we thanked them for the opportunity to be there and explained exactly who we were. After a quick introduction filled with gratitude and love, Sheldon (a teammate) shared his testimony. He did a great job connecting his life journey of finding Jesus with the men so intently listening. The mic was then handed off to Nick (another teammate), who shared the Gospel message and how each one in the room was equal in the standing of God. How each man was guilty, our team members included, and needed redemption that could only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. We finished half time by praying with these men and having follow up conversations right up until the second half began.
THE END – The second half is always a bitter-sweet moment. It means the end of some great conversations, but it also means another opportunity to gain respect and keep the crowd involved. The key to a good second half is to keep the game close so that you are asked back to the facility. Wins and Losses aren’t the end all be all but we definitely play to win. However, when you arrive with 7 players and they have a team of 15, stamina plays a major factor in that outcome. Needless to say, we couldn’t pull through the win, but we did manage to keep it within 5 points. Its funny how little the second half means to us in comparison to the other pieces. I always look forward to the end of the game, because we usually have time to seek out some of the guys we had talked to at half time. Its important to let them know you haven’t already forgotten them, as they are rarely used to the love we bring. After the game, we gather the group together again, link arms in unity, and ask our Lord to bless us as we leave and they return (hopefully encouraged) back to their regular day to day. Our team really owns this part of the ministry. The guys are always deep in conversation after a game, and we are often given several warnings from the correction officers that it is time to go.
THE AFTERMATH – Just last week, I received an email from both the athletic coordinator, and another employee. Their emails expressed their great gratitude towards our team and mentioned how the inmates will not stop asking about us. They want us back ASAP. Both emails also expressed their personal desire to have us back as well. This is a major praise! Please be in prayer for the inmates of FCI Fairton, and also their families. Pray for us as we navigate through this partnership and seek God to lead it well. Our hearts are that these men desperate for hope will fall in love with Jesus!
Blessings,
Kyle
