Harvest Prison Ministry

Harvest Prison Ministry Harvest Prison Ministry teaches the Gospel of Christ to men behind the walls, preparing them to re-enter society and live godly, productive lives.

Harvest Prison Ministry, a distinct ministry of Hickory Grove Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was founded in 2002 for the sole purpose of preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the men behind the walls, for “the equipping of the saints to do the work of the ministry.”

Our vision is to see more men reconciled to God and their families, and to aide them both prayerfully and financially to re-enter society enabled by the grace of God to live godly and productive lives.

08/10/2019

Dear Friends,

I just got home from my weekly mentoring at Riverbend Prison. When I arrived for my 6:30 session tonight, I noticed that the flag in front of the administration building was at half mast . That seemed strange to me as I remembered that the flag was at full mast when I was there earlier this morning. I soon discovered the reason for the change as the flag was ordered down because of the gruesome death of a TDOC official in West Tennessee. Officials suspect that an escapee, Curtis Watson, may have murdered Debra Johnson after he walked away from his “outside job” and entered her home adjacent to the prison.
Quite a contrast to another story unfolding a couple of hours to the east. The much celebrated, Cyntoia Brown, was released from the Tennessee Women’s Prison after having been incarcerated for 15 years on a murder charge. Former Governor Bill Haslem commuted her sentence due to extenuating circumstances and she is enjoying her new found freedom at home with family and friends tonight.
That is today’s (prison) news. As I was leaving tonight, I was reminded by another volunteer that I would not be able to visit next week (both Wednesday and Thursday) due to the latest ex*****on scheduled for Thursday morning. Stephen West will be put to death by lethal injection.
Why do we do prison ministry? Why does anyone do prison ministry? Earlier this afternoon, I was talking to a fellow prison volunteer who informed me that a church that had been highly involved in ministry at Riverbend had determined to cease all activity immediately. The reason that was given concerned the high risk of liability that the church incurred and their fear that it could deal a very heavy blow to the overall ministry of their body.
Again, why do prison ministry? I wouldn’t call it fun. The rewards are more often imaginary than real. The primary reason why many of us work behind the walls is because Jesus told us to. In Matthew 25, when Jesus was talking about people visiting those in prison, I don’t think that He was only talking about guys like the apostle Paul who was almost certainly a model prisoner, not to mention an innocent one. The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit all work behind the walls. There are transformations taking place there. God doesn’t have to use us, but He so wonderfully and graciously does so and I count it an honor and a privilege to serve the men (many of whom are brothers in Christ) behind the walls.
You play an important part in your partnership with us. Without your prayer and financial support we could not do this work. Thank you and may our God and King richly bless you,
Your fellow servant,
Richard

Sent from my iPad

05/17/2017

I've got to tell you about an inmate at DeBerry Special Needs Facility here in Nashville. His name is Christopher and he is 24 years old. I met him a month ago when someone asked me if I'd go by and see him. He had been asking for a chaplain and for someone to read the Bible to him. When I arrived at his cell there was a nurse and guard standing there on what is called su***de watch. Christopher was strapped to the bed with tubes in his arm and looked like he was on death's door. I found out he had tried to kill himself a couple of times by cutting himself just below the sternum, in his stomach area. I also heard the doctor said, "One more attempt and we may not be able to save him this time." I asked the nurse if I could go in to see him and she said yes. I introduced myself and asked him to tell me about himself. I found out he only has two years left on his sentence. He then told me he had been diagnosed as bipolar and didn't want to live anymore. As we talked some more, I told him I suffered from clinical depression too, and had been on medicine for years. He said, "Really?!" We then talked about his spiritual life and he said he wasn't a christian, but did want me to read the bible to him. Of course, I turned to the book of John and began to share the Gospel. He listened intently and nodded when I asked him if he believed he was a sinner. I shared my testimony, telling him I was 24 when I was converted. All the while I could feel God's presence and people's prayers in the cell. Nowadays we call it a God Thing. Next, came the most important question anyone can ask another human being--"My friend, do you want to repent of your sins and follow the Lord Jesus Christ?" He looked up at me and said, "Yes, I want to." I prayed for him and told him to call upon the Lord to forgive him and save him from hell to heaven! I don't know why I'm always surprised when a lost soul prays the Sinner's Prayer, but I am. I wish I could have recorded his plea--heaven was rejoicing as this sinner became a saint! I asked him if he had a bible and he said no. The next few days were miraculous. As we talked and read the Word, he began to transform from a hopeless mess to a new creature in Christ. He is now out of the shackles (in more ways than one!) and even the nurse and guard have noticed the change! I saw him yesterday and he looks like a man with hope and can't to come to bible study! Please pray for Christopher. As you know, he has a long way to go and it will be rough, but God's love care and will carry him through. To God Be the Glory!--Rick Phil. 1:6

04/20/2017

I received this Easter poem from Paul Yelton, an inmate at RMSI. He read it in our Sunday worship and it really blessed us all.
"Today is not about the Easter bunny nor all those carnal things. This day is about Jesus, and the truth He brings. Our Lord and Savior is risen indeed! And from our sin, guilt, and shame we are freed. My Savior defeated death, hell, and the grave. I am so thankful for this very life he gave. Lest we forget our Savior, crucified upon the cross of calvary, our sins He bore, His blood given, to make us free. A twisted crown of thorns was pushed down upon His head, then nails were driven in through His feet and hands, His side pierced, to be sure He was dead. Today our Lord is risen, no longer is Jesus in the grave, my friends. You are the very ones Jesus came to save. The blood that was shed on the ground left its crimson stains. In God's children Jesus now lives and reigns. Our sin washed white by His bloods life-giving flow. What greater gift of love can our Lord, our God bestow. Through the power of the cross, in His resurrection, our Lord is risen. So please appreciate the reason why our Lord's life was given, desolated, all alone, His arms stretched out upon the cross. All forsook Him and counted Him as loss. Now our Lord stands risen, high above us all. He asks you now, will you stand with Him, and answer His call. Remember this day. Why you come to worship in this place. The blood poured out at Calvary, the gift of God's amazing grace. To God Be the Glory!"

03/30/2017

Good morning! Need your prayers. Richard and I are starting a new series of sermons from Galatians at Riverbend Max this Sunday and are excited about what God is going to do! We just finished a journey through 1 Samuel and look forward to hearing from Paul about God's grace and adoption! We meet every Sunday at 1:30. Our worship leader is an inmate named Jon and he does a great job leading us to the Cross. We are asking God for a true revival in the Church Behind the Walls and that it may begin with us leading out in repentance and faith. Thank you so much for your continued support and love.--Rick

02/01/2017

I was channel surfing the other night and came across an old black and white classic, "The Birman of Alcatraz", starring Burt Lancaster. Talk about strange! It had all the stereotypical things we associate with "The Big House", such as riots, bad wardens, and gangsters. While some of those things still happen, the prison system has improved over the years. It still has it's problems, but most of the time it does what it is designed to do: to protect the innocent, punish the guilty, and attempt to rehabilitate the criminals. I've met officers (guards) that pray for their charges, and are kind and considerate, even when the inmate is less than cooperative. Part of HPM's ministry is to encourage and pray for the staff. They have a difficult job to say the least. Please take a minute to pray for them and ask the Lord to send revival to TDOC! Thank you. Rick

01/18/2017

Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and former adviser to Richard Nixon, once predicted that the next great spiritual revival would occur behind the walls. I'm beginning to agree with him. Today there are over 2.2 million adults incarcerated in the United States. And more and more we are hearing how God is "bringing in the increase" of souls and changing institutions around the world. Only the Gospel is big enough to do something like this. It seems more and more christians are getting involved and believing Christ's declaration that when we "do it unto the least of these we do it unto Him." Please take a brief moment and pray for those souls in need of salvation. No great movement of God ever occurs without Him first calling His church to prayer! And pray for Harvest Prison Ministry. "Lord, please open the eyes and ears of those millions of inmates that need the gospel, too!"

12/27/2016

PRAYER REQUEST: We have the privilege of ministering at Trousdale Turner Correctional Complex every Thursday. Problem is with such a large number of gang members the violence seems to be increasing each week, which means they are locked down a lot. Please pray that God will open the doors again so we can preach and teach the Good News of Jesus Christ! The church behind the walls is very active, but they are so hungry for corporate worship! We're attempting to "equip the saints to do the work of the ministry, but Satan keeps raising his ugly head! Thanks so much, Saints! --Rick Allen and Richard Jennings

12/07/2016

December 3, 2016 DeBerry Special Needs Facility

I've never seen such joyful faces as we handed out a plate full of Stroud's Barbecue and fixings, including banana pudding and sweet iced tea! Seventy inmates and a number of guards could not thank us enough for the surprise feast, provided by Sean Stroud, who donated $500 worth of superb food! And we also gave each one a bag of hygiene (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and a toothbrush) donated by my brother-in-law Jim Harris!

Oh, and we were privileged to lead them in Christmas carols and read the Christmas story! I wish I could have taken some pictures. Richard and I are so thankful to be a part of HPM as we reach out to three institutions six days a week!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. The Gospel is reaching the hearts of so many men!

Rick Allen
Richard Jennings
Phil. 1:6

10/13/2016

What do Donald, Tony, Eddie, and Michael have in common? They all professed Christ as Savior and Lord within the last few weeks! It's always a tremendous joy to be present when God opens the eyes and ears of sinners and gives them eternal life! What else do they have in common? They are serving time at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution and DeBerry Special Needs Facility. Please pray for these men as they begin their walk in Christ, and for the men who will be mentoring them in their new life. And pray for more workers "for the fields are white unto harvest!" Thank all of you for your continued prayers and support.

09/10/2016

Talking about changing times for Sunday worship creates a tension requiring me to say more. Why?

Because we, at Hickory Grove Church, PCA do not just come to church on Sundays and Wednesdays. We are the church!

By "church," we mean those who are "called by God to belong to Christ."

"Belonging to Christ" is the very nature of the the church!

Christian, It is who you are (which leads to what you do). To "belong to Christ" is your primary identity and calling.

Consequently, we do not "belong to Christ" only on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

We "belong to Christ" twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
God created us as worshipping beings.

We worship someone or something all the time; the question is who or what are we worshipping.

As Christians, we are identified (as they were in Antioch) as Christ followers.

To highlight the all-of-life-as-worship reality (and to address the error that "we go to church") we at Hickory Grove PCA make the distinction between the "Church Gathered" and the "Church Scattered."

By faith we "gather" as God's church twice weekly (on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening) trusting Him to be present with us as we actually glorify and enjoy the Father, Son and Spirit using those means of grace given by God for worship: the word, prayer, and the sacraments.

By faith, we continue "belonging to Christ" after "gathered worship" ends, and Christ sovereignly "scatters" (disperses) us to live in the world without being of the world as we continue glorifying and enjoying Him forever.

The worship times changing then are those regular weekly times we as the church belonging to Christ "gather" on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Please take note of these changes:

Sunday Gathering of God's Church at Hickory Grove, PCA:

1. 8:15am -- Prayer in the Narthex Room behind Sanctuary.
2. 8:45am -- Coffee will be ready
3. 9:00am -- Discipleship/Christian Ed
4. 10:00 am -- The Church Gathered for Worship
5. 11:30 am -- The Church Scattered for Worship

Wednesday Gathering of God's Church at Hickory Grove, PCA:

1. 6:00pm -- Brown Bag Meal Fellowship (BYOF)
2. 6:30pm -- The Church Gathered in a Praying Community
3. 6:30pm -- Wednesday Activities for Children and Youth
4. 7:00pm -- Worship Practice
4. 7:45pm -- The Church Scattered

Thanks for allowing me to use "time-changes" for "gathered worship" as an opportunity to disciple what it means that "we are the church."

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

In Christ, Mike Graham

Address

84 S Greenhill Road
Mount Juliet, TN
37122

Telephone

+16152758608

Website

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