Jim Rickabaugh’s experience with prisons started a little over 11 years ago when he was approached by an elderly woman in the White Salmon, Wash., church.

"She asked if I would visit with her son in prison," said Rickabaugh. "One visit turned into many more, and soon word got out about our studies, and more requests came in. The visitation room at the prison was a noisy place to meet, and eventually I was told my group could meet in the library, which was a much nicer place to study."

For seven years, Rickabaugh conducted a Bible study every Monday at the county jail, but conditions changed when the sheriff decided he no longer wanted him to speak of the Bible. Rickabaugh and his wife, Bonnie, also thought about moving to Yuma, Az., to be closer to Bonnie’s parents.

Rickabaugh made a list of 20 items that would have to "fall into place" before they could make the move, and one by one over seven month’s time, the items were checked off. It seemed the Lord had work for them to do in Yuma.

The move was made, and since 2001 his Yuma prison ministry has baptized 24 inmates, with Jim personally baptizing 20. His "crew" includes Mike Harris, a dedicated, married father of three with a full-time job, and Ed "Curly" Taves, who is 87 and retired. They are always ready to add to their numbers and can be contacted by e-mail at bonniejr@theriver.com or at the Yuma Church, 928-783-6533.