Like many young men who end up in gaol on remand, Phil turned up to chapel one Sunday morning. Like many others he had on his mind the question, “Why did I leave God out of my life?”

Phil had been sent to a Christian school but when he left he had no more contact with church or with Christians. Now in his late 20’s Phil was enjoying life, a good job, a girlfriend and parties. He used recreational drugs and earned a bit of extra money by selling some drugs. That’s what brought him to gaol. The party was over and Phil was wondering what life was really all about.

Sunday after Sunday he heard the word of God applied. Phil finally met Jesus and his life turned around. Having initially planned to plead not guilty, Phil changed his plea and owned up to his crime. After 18 months in maximum security on remand Phil finally got a determination that saw him released on a good behaviour bond with time served.

Some months before Phil left prison I arranged for the pastor of a church near where he would be living to come into the gaol and meet him. They established a good relationship and when Phil got out he began attending church and mid week Bible study. Things weren’t easy though.

Now having a criminal record Phil couldn’t get a job in the industry he had previously worked in. He began driving a delivery truck, earning about a quarter of what he used to make. Having decided in gaol to follow Christ, Phil told his girlfriend that they should stop living together until they got married. His girlfriend’s reaction was to simply say, “Goodbye.”

What kept Phil going with one major disappointment after another was the mentoring support he got from his pastor and other godly men in his church.

There are many stories of men like Phil. Gaol makes you reassess your priorities and many men and women make genuine conversions to Christ in prison. What makes it difficult is leaving prison. They lose connection with the first real Christian community they have known and don’t fit in when they try to join another on the outside.

ANGLICARE prison Chaplains have developed a training course to train Christians to be mentors to these men and women who want to belong to a community of God’s people on the outside. Will you and your church join us? If you want to be part of this give me a call or send me an email.