Jesus began his earthly ministry by explaining that he was sent "to preach good news to the poor," to "proclaim freedom to the prisoners," "recovery of sight to the blind," and to "release the oppressed," (Luke 4:18). He finished his ministry by telling his followers they would be in heaven because when he had been in prison, they visited him. When they questioned him, Jesus said that "In as much as you did it for one of the least among us, you did it to me."
In short, Jesus commanded his followers to minister to those behind bars, and especially to children and the fatherless behind bars. Why? Simply put, juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities are concentrated communities of "the least of these" among us. The vast majority of kids in the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center come from among the most impoverished families in our City and the United States, and the vast majority of them are fatherless. Far too high a percentage have been neglected, abandoned or abused by one or more parents; and, accordingly, may be emotionally disturbed or suffer from a variety of other mental health diagnoses. Lacking adequate family support, often growing up amid crises, suffering from poverty, and coming of age in a culture that glorifies sin, the school attendance of many has suffered, and despite their God-given innate abilities, many are below grade level. Society tends to view these kids as rejects. But while they are locked up they are in yet another crisis, and God knows that many will be open during this time to hearing his message of grace and forgiveness, and that many will turn to Him and be healed. That is why Christ instructed us to to into the jails to minister to the prisoners. And when a child trusts Christ as his Lord and Savior, he has a whole new resource and his whole life can begin to turn around, even in the midst of otherwise unchanging circumstances. And when this happens, not only does the child benefit, but his entire family, future family, and the entire community benfits greatly as well.
Incarcerated Juveniles - Through God's Eyes
Mathew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Mark 9:37 (NLT)
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.
Matthew 19:13-14 (NASB)
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Luke 23:32-43 (NKJV)
There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Matthew 25: 34 – 40 (NKJV)
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Psalm 102:18-21 (ESV)
Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise.
Luke 4:18 (NKJV)
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Isaiah 42:7 (ESV)
To open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Rev. Craig Eastman, Founder
Michael Jenkins (Bible study leader), and Kevin Snead (preacher/church service leader)
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,
even the least of them, you did it to Me." - Matthew 25:40