Prisoners: The Forgotten Children of God

On November 2, 2007 I had the amazing honor of attending a prison revival. Before this event I had only seen prisons on television. I had no idea what to expect, and I was extremely nervous. I knew at some point, I would be visiting death row and that is where my mind was focused. I couldn't get over the fact that we would be sitting face to face with the inmates. No separation. One guard.

Tonight I was on DEATH row.

Central Prison in Raleigh, NC had their annual revival this weekend and the praise team from my church had the honor of leading worship. I had the privilege of singing with the team.

Tonight I was on death row.

We gathered in the visitor's center for a brief overview from Chaplain Bob Montgomery. My nerves were a wreck until Pastor Bob reminded us that we were about to face our brothers in Christ. Not criminals. Not horrible monsters. People, just like me. Forgiven.

Tonight I was on death row.

I can't put into words the sound of the first set of huge, steel doors shutting behind us. It's a chilling and permanent sound. It is the sound of separation. Inside from outside. Wrong from right. Dark from light. Death from life.

Tonight I was on death row.

With the closing of each set of doors, Chaplain Montgomery explained a different aspect of the prison.
"If you see an individual in a red jumpsuit, that indicates death row."
I swallowed hard.
Do I make eye contact?
Do I speak?
Can I even remember why I'm here?

Tonight I was on death row.

We made our way to a very small gym to set up for general population. After a quick run through, the men started filing in. Over a hundred of them. The few nerves that were left were immediately washed away when we began. I have never been with a group that sang louder, raised their hands higher, or shouted amen with more passion than these men. "Amazing" falls woefully short of being descriptive enough a word.

Tonight I was on death row.

After an inspiring message, Dr. David Forbes of Christian Faith Baptist Church in Raleigh asked "Who wants to leave here tonight sure of their salvation?" I think at least half a dozen hands went up. With passion and tears, the biggest of men became small in the hands of God and prayed to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. What an awe inspiring moment. There was no way the night could get better... or so I thought.

Tonight I was on death row.

We had fifteen minutes to get our equipment moved and set up on death row.
Steel doors again.
This time as we turn the corner, the doors are red.

Tonight I was on death row.

Time seemed to slow down as I walked toward the TINY room we would be in. Each step echoed.
I looked to the right and there they were. Murderers. Walking straight toward me. Then the music fell off of my stand.
"Hey! You dropped something."
Do I go back?
Do I run?
Do I scream? (I only thought about that for a microsecond)
I continued to the room to set up.

Tonight I was on death row.

The song set was the same.
The message was the same.
The experience was unforgettable.

Tonight I was on death row.

My head was bowed in prayer as an inmate prayed.
"Father God we thank you for allowing us to worship."
Tears were welling up.
"Father God we thank you for the pastor and for the praise team coming to see us."
I'm blinking them back now.
"Father God, we thank you for breathing the breath of life into us."
They fall.

Tonight I was on death row.

The state of North Carolina will put this man to death, for heinous crimes no doubt, but here he sits on DEATH row, thankful for the breath of LIFE from God.

Tonight I was on death row.

The same offer was made to the death row inmates, "Who wants to leave here tonight SURE of your salvation in Christ Jesus."
A hand went up.
I choked back more tears.
Another hand.
We prayed.
Afterward, I hugged almost every inmate. After all, these were my brothers in Christ.
I rejoiced.
God smiled.

Tonight I was on LIFE row.