With a twinkle in his eye, Joe* said he had been tricked! He had come to the prison chapel to learn to quit smoking—and quickly found himself drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Hal, reared an Adventist, enjoys worshipping with other Sabbath-keepers. Renaldo, graduate of a major Mexican university, eagerly participates in every service, whether in Spanish or English. Don faithfully arrives early to greet new-comers and to welcome inmates and volunteers.

Bob is impressed with young men in their 20s who visit each week. "Maybe if I'd known Jesus as they do, my life would have turned out differently," he says. Bob encourages others to attend chapel. When one inmate humbly shared that he could not read a Bible verse aloud because he only had second-grade skills, Bob immediately offered to tutor him.

On the other side of the Donovan State Prison walls, Nancy eagerly recruits more help for the ministry she says brings "indescribable rewards." Her enthusiasm is contagious. The number of volunteers has grown exponentially during the past two years. And, as they see men mature in faith, embrace the Sabbath, and complete Bible studies, they also feel "blessed beyond words."

Mirroring the friendly, family-oriented, multicultural congregation of the San Diego South Bay Adventist Church, the volunteers include women and men who are diverse in age and ethnicity.

"In each prison I've gone to, I have always found receptive, grateful men," comments William Penick, South Bay's pastor, speaking of the years he has engaged in such work in Nevada and California. "Jesus made it clear that when we visit prisoners, we are visiting Him. It's our Christian responsibility."

Angels in Tattoos

Working in the toughest sections of the prison is taxing, even for seasoned volunteers. Because literature is in high demand, one volunteer felt overwhelmed by the task. "I prayed for help [in getting literature to everyone who wanted it], and God heard my prayers." How?

"I thought I was past being shocked at what I see in that place," the volunteer explained, "but I'll never forget the scene. Tattooed inmates and building officers—sometimes cursing at recalcitrant inmates—raced around delivering Bibles and Spirit of Prophecy books for me and taking requests from those locked in their cells!"

I can personally testify that the blessings are two-way. Prior to cancer surgery in 2004, I was profoundly encouraged with the knowledge that 17 men behind prison walls fasted and prayed for my healing.

Generous donations from community members, some of whom are not Seventh-day Adventists, have enabled the South Bay church prison ministry to purchase new chairs, a new keyboard, and Adventist hymnals, which are appreciated by all faith groups using the chapel. Other donations help underwrite the cost of Bibles and literature that is distributed. More volunteers are welcome. For more information about the program, call 619-423-2243.

*Some names have been changed to protect privacy.