2022
In appreciation for the freedom to worship on the Lord’s Day…
Off the Chain / 0 Comments /Dear Supporters, Brethren and Friends,
Doing full time prison ministry for many years now has helped me to better appreciate many things, like good food, AC, funerals, etc. There is one thing, though, that the work has helped me to appreciate above all others. It is an honor and privilege to have the freedom to worship God on the Lord’s Day in Spirit and Truth. Also, it is a terrible thing to have that freedom or opportunity denied to you.
We have been doing a Lord’s Day worship service at Lawtey CI since 2005. This effort has been accomplished by the sacrifice of many faithful brothers and sisters through those years. To the best of my remembrance, we have never needed to call the prison and cancel one of those services, though some have been canceled by the prison during those years. Most recently there was a short period when COVID first appeared, and other times for typically security reasons – lockdowns, trouble at the prison, etc. However, the assembly there was cancelled this past Christmas and New Years simply because of the holiday – first time that has ever happened. It really stirred me to think of the impact that such a caviler decision to deny the assembly to the 30 to 70 men that probably would have attended, and the 15 to 20 that are NT Christians that would have been there. It also stirred me to appreciate what I have.
In the last 15 years, we have baptized hundreds of men into Christ. Many of these men never became grounded in the faith. However, a few of them have grown and understand the need to cultivate a greater desire to please God. As these men grow spiritually, they develop a stronger desire to leave the denominational worship services available to them. They yearn for worship with other faithful brothers according to the NT pattern. Imagine being denied what you long for and are commanded to do in service to God. This is a real burden for some of these men. This scenario is so uncommon to many of us I imagine. I have never personally experienced being denied by others the opportunity to assemble with my spiritual family, to teach each other in song, to hear the word of God spoken, to pour out prayers together to our King, and to share in the unity of the partaking of the body and blood of our Savior. Can you imagine being denied that?
I realize that for men in prison, this may be a consequence of the unrighteous behavior that brought them there. I am not arguing against the authority of the government to deny these men the chance to assemble. It is certainly by grace that they ever have the opportunity, but it challenges me to consider how I look at the Lord’s Day Assembly. Is it through the eyes of something that always just happens or as an opportunity graciously provided by God that should be given my utmost appreciation? Do I see the blessing of having that opportunity so readily available to me? Would I sacrifice everything to participate in that? Would I ever want to deny that to anyone if it was within my power?
We often thank God in our prayers that we can assemble freely in our nation. Do we fully appreciate the value of that freedom and do we fully appreciate how easily that could be taken away?
One of the faithful brothers at Lawtey spoke to this at the Sunday service recently. He talked about the good situation he had at his previous prison. He had one of the few jobs that actually paid for the work he did (stay calm, about 20 cents per hour). He was settled in, and comfortable in his dorm. However, assembly of the Lord’s church was denied there except once per month. He asked to transfer to Lawtey. He said he knew if he made it to Lawtey then he could assemble with like-minded brothers each week. He spoke of his appreciation for the chance to assemble. Do we show the same appreciation?
Thank you for your love, trust, prayers and support. It has helped me to appreciate so many things!
Daryl Townsend
