06/17/2024
A Father Day Redemption Story June 16, 2024
By Author Carl Flowers
At the end of my shift at the Pearl River County Jail on Father's Day, I was walking down the hallway feeling slightly exhausted from my long day. As I was about to leave, my Sergeant called me to meet him in A1, the female pod, for a minor de-escalation involving pod mates discussing their case.
After working all day, I am physically exhausted from a long shift, but spiritually fulfilled. It is always surprising to me that when I am at my weakest, the spirit of God always shows up. My intention was simply to assist Sergeant, but God had other plans. These ladies needed prayer, and before praying for them, I offered them some words of encouragement, which is when it all began.
That's when the fire was ignited by the Holy Spirit, even though it was daytime. I told them that God wants them to have the heart of their father, to surrender their life to Him, and to be His representatives, speaking directly from the Bible without any preparation. I have confidence that He can do it, as He did it for me. I believe He can do it for them too.
These women were truly blessed by God, so I decided to leave it at that. As I was on my way home, I felt compelled by the spirit of the Lord to enter the federal pod and extend well wishes for a happy Father's Day. Despite facing serious charges and potentially lengthy prison sentences, it became apparent upon interacting with them that their true character, demeanor, and spirit were revealed. It is important to recognize that we are in no position to pass judgment on them.
I just wanted to wish them a happy Father's Day, but they were resistant as usual, using the same old expressions. However, the atmosphere shifted when the Holy Spirit intervened. I spoke to them about how Jesus Christ wanted to be a part of their lives. I shared a simple message about redemption and the significance of the cross. The men started to open up and surrender, turning what was supposed to be a brief encounter into a meaningful conversation.
On Father's Day, a 30-minute message led several men to Christ, resulting in them crying out and responding to the word of God. The glory belongs to God, not to me, as I shared my story and gave the invitation in Jesus' name. Sixteen inmates became fathers who gave their lives to Christ. This message may not go viral, but it is genuine and impactful.
Their name has now been inscribed in the book of life, all glory to God. I was so energized that I went to the next federal inmate pod where more men have given their lives to Christ. A total of 33 inmates are awaiting judgment from a federal judge, but they have been introduced to a father who came into the world when it was indicted for sin. It is amazing, and I am certain that I am not just a regular pastor; I am not content with only having church services but am passionate about being in the marketplace during times like these.
These individuals were genuine, and now that they have surrendered, all they need to do is continue trusting in God. He has the power and ability to wipe their record clean. As a professional correction officer, I made it clear that I am not there to be their friend but to mentor and guide them in the right direction. Jesus Christ began his ministry at 33 years old. I was assigned the task of sharing the gospel, trusting that someone will hear, believe, and receive it. All glory to God. Let's pray for those who are incarcerated. Today was a story of redemption for these individuals, now represented by Jesus Christ.
In local newspapers such as NBC, ABC, CNN, Facebook, Instagram, etc., we often see posts about bad news that people are discussing. How many are talking about the father who is striving to be a better example? We hear about those who have passed away, who are ill, who are in hospice. We hear about those who have been arrested, who are struggling with addiction. But do we ever hear about those who have found redemption and connected with a higher power? These individuals will always remember Father's Day on June 16, 2024, when they made the decision to let Jesus guide their lives. - Carl Flowers
