ThunderHeart Ministries
P.O. Box 1134
Starkville, MS 39760

2011 YTD THM Prison Team Report

JANUARY 21-23, 2011

Our first weekend at Parchman was January 21, 22, and 23, and we had a great start to 2011.  We conducted five services and 199 inmates attended these services.  We saw eight men give their lives to the Lord and we had 28 men make recommitments/rededications.  On Saturday night our team had the privilege of conducting a special service for nine of the graduates of the Faith Based Program that now serve as inmate pastors.  Each member of our team used a personally selected passage of scripture to charge and challenge these pastors.  We then anointed each pastor with oil and prayed over them.  The inmates attending this service were very respectful and it was obvious that some were motivated to follow in the footsteps of these inmate pastors.  What a blessing to be a part of this very special service.  We were told that this was the first service of this type they had experienced since graduating from New Orleans Seminary.

FEBRUARY 25-27, 2011

On Thursday night, February 24th, a line of storms passed through the state of Mississippi.  As a result of those storms power poles and power lines were taken down around Parchman Prison.  Unfortunately this caused the prison to be placed in lockdown and we were unable to keep our weekend schedule.  We are scheduled to go back in the 4th weekend in March.

MARCH 25-27, 2011

We had a great weekend at Parchman!  We had six services over the weekend and 219 inmates attended.  In addition to our three services at the SLC and our two services at Unit 29, Division 1, we are now doing a service on Saturday night at Unit 26.  Next month it is likely that we will add another service at Unit 26.  We saw eight inmates give their lives to Jesus Christ and we had 26 inmates make recommitments to the Lord. 

On Saturday the team spent the day in Unit 29, Division 2 and spent most of that time in Building J which is now Death Row and High Risk.  This is the first time the team has been in to see death row inmates since they were moved from Unit 32.  We had opportunities to visit old friends and make some new acquaintances.  While there is still some unrest over the move, they seem to be settling in and accepting the move.

Our team was blessed to have the opportunity to spend Easter weekend with our Brothers in Christ at Parchman Prison.  We had 204 inmates attend services with four inmates accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and we had 20 inmates rededicate their lives to following the Lord.  All weekend we talked about the fact that for Christ followers every day is Christmas and Easter combined because we serve a Risen Savior.  The Holy Spirit was obviously present throughout the weekend and we had wonderful praise and worship in our services.

On Saturday the team visited Unit 29, Division 2 and had one-on-one ministry in Building J (Death Row and High Risk) and Building H.  It was very good to have the opportunity to visit with the death row inmates for the second month in a row and we had a very positive response from the inmates in Building H.  Since these are lockdown units we are visiting with the inmates with bars between us but it is amazing how the Holy Spirit can move in such a way that those bars seem to disappear and we have contact on a personal level with that inmate.  For many of them this is a new experience and they hunger for that kind of connection with another human being. The beautiful thing is we can use that desire to connect them to an even greater and richer relationship with a Holy God whom is there for them all the time not just occasionally.

The THM Prison Team had a great Memorial Day weekend at Parchman Prison.  We had 320 inmates attend services over the weekend and we saw 10 men make professions of faith and 29 men rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ.  On Saturday morning we were able to visit death row and while this is a difficult time to be in that unit (there were two executions this month in Mississippi) the inmates were very receptive and open to our one-on-one time with them.  One particular inmate was scheduled for execution last week but it was delayed.  We were told as we entered the unit to be careful because the inmate has stated he intended to "hurt someone today."  William visited this inmate first and then Tinman came in right behind him.  While the inmate was very angry and agitated at first, the Holy Spirit interceded and opened the opportunity to talk about God's love and forgiveness.  The inmate described himself as "a monster" and said that God could never forgive him. Tinman continued to share scripture and testimony about God's love, forgiveness, and grace.  What a powerful thing to witness as the Holy Spirit opened this man's heart and mind as Tinman talked with him.  Also, the team had the opportunity to share words of encouragement and pray with many of the inmates on death row.  We spent Saturday afternoon in a lock-down unit and most of the inmates wanted to talk.  God has continued to allow us to see lives change as we continue to minister to these inmates.

Thunder had the opportunity to speak at Immanuel Baptist Church, Columbus, MS on May 22, 2011.

The June visit to Parchman had 17 recommitments/rededications, and 12 professions of faith.  We praise God for these decisions!

At the time of the THM Prison Teams visit to Parchman, Thunder was in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on a mission trip.  The team was there for eight days and had a blessed time of ministry and outreach.

In June Thunder spoke to the ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out) from Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL.

The THM Prison Team had a great weekend of ministry in July.  We had 308 inmates attend services.  God's work was at hand and we saw 4 inmates accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and 20 inmates recommitted/rededicated their lives to Christ.

Thunder had the opportunity to speak at Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Columbus, MS on July 17, 2011.

THM Prison Team is not scheduled for the month of August due to events at the prison that conflict with the weekend we are normally there.  We missed getting to see our Brothers in Christ and the opportunities to praise, worship, and fellowship with the inmates.

• September 10

We had a great day at the Childersburg Work Release Center Saturday.  Barry is a member of Servant Rider Ministries and his summary of the day follows:

"What a day it was! God blessed us with a near perfect day to answer the call to do his will! I was not really in my comfort zone setting up the stage and the sound equipment which I had never really seen, but somehow (wonder why) it worked out and we got it done. I got a lot of help from some of the inmates as well as a lot of cooperation from the CO's setting it all up. Bill Repp really did a great job with his music set and he sounded great.  We heard lots of good testimony and music from Allen, Too Tall, the prison choir and other inmates. Joe Johnson's testimony using the casket was very compelling and you could tell the Spirit was pouring out through his heart and mouth!  Thunder gave an awesome talk that would wake up anybody unless they were dead! I sure didn't see any dead people during or after his Thundering Spirit-filled sermonette'!

It was great to see all the Servant Riders again and most of all it was such a blessing to see some of the inmates and CO's that I knew from the two previous visits to Childersburg! The fellowship was great! The food was fantastic! The cooking and serving crew did great!  The reaction from the inmates was just amazing! So many of them came up to me to express their appreciation for what we were doing and for the great food. I just told them it was all about Jesus and that He was the reason we were there! I was able to talk with several inmates out on the yard as well as in the chow hall about Jesus and His love and it seemed to be well received.  This was happening all around with our guys all over the place talking and witnessing to the inmates and even the CO's! You know they need Jesus too!  How would you like to have their job?! Thank them every chance you get for what they do; it can't be easy!

One inmate that I talked with for a long time seemed to be interested but fell short of giving in. His reasoning was that he wanted to wait until he got out and was not in trouble to take the step. I told him that we don't know if we have tomorrow and that something could happen to him in prison and it would be too late.  I told him that all who were ever saved had to realize that they were in trouble (in sin and lost) when they accepted Jesus including and especially all of us. He will be a follow up next time I go to Childersburg.  My mistake was not to get his name but hopefully the Holy Spirit will work on him until we are able to return and maybe He will lead us to him (or him to us) on our next visit. Please pray for that young man whatever his name is. God knows his name and that's for sure!

I was able to pray with one inmate for him and his family. He said he was a Christian and had rededicated his life in 2010.  We went outside the chow hall to a quiet place and prayed together.  It was a very emotional and spiritual experience for both of us. His name is Abraham Mosely so please pray for him and his family as well has for strength for him going forward to the day that he is released.

Once again as I told the inmates on the yard, "You guys (inmates and CO's) are a blessing to all of us!" It seems that every time I participate in one of these trips no matter hard the work, what the weather is like or how much apprehension I feel, the blessings come back to me many times greater than what meager effort I put in. If I used too many exclamation points it is because I am shouting with excitement because it is such a joy to serve our Lord! To Him be the Glory!

Your brother in Christ, Barry Hopper”

Great summary Barry and thanks for the kind words.  God continues to change lives even in prisons.  Thank goodness He is a God that never gives up on us and never stops loving us even when we aren't very lovable.  Glory and Honor to the risen Savior Jesus Christ!

• September 17

The Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride began in Chattanooga, TN on Saturday morning, September 17th and the first overnight of the ride is Florence, AL (This ride goes all the way to Oklahoma commemorating the move of Native Americans to government reservations).  Servant Riders Ministries uses a unique event to present the gospel to bikers participating in the ride.  They are able to use the pumps at a Mapco Express in Florence and if a biker will give three minutes of their time they can get up to $8.00 worth of gas free.  There are teams at each pump with one person pumping gas, one cleaning the windshield and one sharing the message of God's wonderful grace.  This is the third year that ThunderHeart Ministries has supported Servant Riders Ministries by cooking breakfast for the set-up team and then grilling hot dogs to be given away as part of the event.  This year Servant Riders gave away approximately $6,000.00 worth of gas, 300 hot dogs, bottled water.  Just what was the return investment you might ask; 51 people made a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and hundreds more had people pray with them over their particular needs or life issues.  If you ask me it was a wise investment into the Kingdom of God!

• September 23-25

The THM Prison Team had a fantastic weekend at Parchman Prison.  We had 331 inmates attend services and we had 12 men accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and 55 inmates recommitted their lives to the Lord.  On Saturday we spent the day in Unit 29, Division 2 (lockdown units) and we visited the two buildings containing inmates in protective custody.  These building houses everything from inmates who have been convicted of crimes that make it dangerous for them to be in general population to inmates that have disassociated themselves with a gang or hate group and now their lives are in danger for that reason.  These are not the easiest groups to minister but God allowed us to experience a great day.  We were able to minister to men that are often forgotten and many ministry groups do not want to go into these buildings out of fear.  Our team prayed for protection from our Heavenly Father and guidance from the Holy Spirit and we left the rest up to the Lord.  WHAT A BLESSING!  We had great day and we were able to share the Love of the Lord to men who often have grown to believe that no one can love or care for them.  Thank you Father for this opportunity to share just how awesome you truly are!

While we have developed and maintained a good relationship with the staff over the years we have been ministering at Parchman, God was particularly moving among this group this weekend.  We had several corrections officers ask for prayer and while praying for them, other corrections officers joined in and participated in the prayer.  These men and women have an incredibly tough job and we are always grateful for their kindness and cooperation with our team.  It is a great feeling to have them share a need or praise and ask us to pray for them or someone close to them.

On Sunday we were at Drew First Baptist Church for their second annual Biker Sunday.  Music Man blessed their socks off with his gifted voice and I shared a message on "procrastination."  We had a Spirit filled service and then a great time of fellowship after the service.  The church provided lunch for all in attendance and we had good food and made some new friends in the process.  Afterwards we headed back to Parchman to do one more evening service.

We had a blessed weekend at Parchman Prison October 21 through 23.  We had 301 inmates attend services with 10 inmates accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior and 45 inmates recommitting their lives to the Lord. We visited Unit 29, Division 2 on Saturday and visited Building G and Building L (protective custody).  As I mentioned last month these buildings house inmates that cannot be placed in general population because of risk to themselves or others.  The team had some wonderful one-on-one sessions and the Holy Spirit was at work softening hearts and opening minds to the wonderful Gospel.

Thunder preached the services at the Spiritual Life Center and Unit 30 on Friday night.  Hammer was in charge of the service at Unit 31.  Tinman and Shamgar facilitated the service at Unit 29, Division 1 with one of the inmate pastors preaching the service.  On Saturday night Preacher Man delivered a powerful message at the Spiritual Life Center and Thunder brought the message at Unit 26.  Once again Tinman and Shamgar facilitated the service at Unit 29, Division 1.  Hammer tackled the difficult subject of “The Reality of Hell” in the service at the Spiritual Life Center on Sunday night.  Music Man provided worship in song at all of the services at the Spiritual Life Center.  It was a great weekend of praise and worship to honor the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.