In March 1997, Pasadena forwarded a letter from a member inmate who was requesting a visit. He had been transferred to Jackson Correctional Institution from another institution. God was opening a door, a door into prison, and by his Spirit I was compelled to go through it. That first visit with Eugene was unforgettable. The prison staff were trained to be wary of everyone they encountered.
Prison is a spiritually dark place.
Most inmates seem to have no desire to consider coming to Christ. Of the more than l,000 inmates in the institution, about l00 attend the Protestant worship service and 25 to 30 attend the weekly Bible studies. Eugene was imprisoned at age 22 for a murder he committed at age 20. He is a lifer, having been sentenced to life in prison for his crime. About l5 years ago Eugene was baptized by our district superintendent, David Fiedler.