(VANGUARD) Niger — Activities of in the areas of evangelism and cares for inmates have brought about positive changes in the lives of inmates across the country and that souls in persons are perishing.
Pastor Peter Okere, the chaplain of the fellowship, Suleja chapter, stated this on Saturday in Suleja, Niger, at a one-day Prison Ministers’ Conference entitled “The Chosen One”.
He said the fellowship’s decision to embark on prison outreach programmes was informed by its belief that prisoners deserved God’s love.
“Although, prisoners might be rejected by the society, the fellowship holds the belief that through preaching, God will minister to them and make them useful.
“God cares for them, after repentance, they become loved by God and when they are released from prison, they will be useful integral part of the society; this is our belief,” Okere said.
He urged the public to have compassion for prisoners, insisting that experience had shown that repentant prisoners had been useful in the spread of the gospel and prevention of crimes.
“God’s clarion call to you and I is in accordance with the revelation of his purpose to redeem and save humanity from the bondage of sin.
“Souls are perishing and we should not relent in our effort in the rescue mission, especially in this prison ministry.”
Mr Anthony Macartan, a former prison inmate, said he got converted by members of the fellowship when he listened to the word of God and embraced godly living.
“I was awaiting trial when I had contact with the Prison Fellowship; the members would visit, take care of our needs and give us the assurance of God’s love even when we felt rejected by the society.
“It was all these that made me to believe that there are hopes, especially by serving God and be consistent in godly living; so, I decided to fellowship with Deeper Life Bible Church,” he said.
He called on the public to intensify efforts at reaching prisoners in various prisons, noting that there were several prisoners who desired to hear the gospel and repent.
The Prison Fellowship Nigeria is an interdenominational gospel outreach seeking to change the lives of prison inmates across the country through constant preaching of the gospel and meeting some of their basic needs. (NAN)
