My Father-in-Law has spent most of the last 30 years in prison. He's a prison chaplain.
Now in his 70's and supposedly retired, he is unrelenting in his passion to reach out to what he calls "the Matthew 25 people."
Seven years ago, after many years of faithful service in upstate New York, he and his wife moved to a small town near Springfield, MO. In "retirement," his ongoing ministry is so impactful that a local news station recently did a story on him. You can watch the video here:
You may be startled when he says, "What they need first and foremost is a friend." Don't let it bother you. Bob is not a word-perfect theologian, and doesn't try to be one. He's a tried and tested servant of God who knows the real Friend prisoners need is Jesus Christ. God has given him a tremendous gift for reaching out to those who have been cast off by others. He shares God's kindness with them, and he shares the Gospel with them. For Bob Reed, this is the only way to be a friend.
Among his many contacts over the years, he became a confidant of the much-publicized former satanist, Sean Sellers, who was later executed for his crimes.
Bob and his wife Jeanetta are available for speaking engagements, missions conferences, short term overseas missions teams, concerts (Bob is a GREAT singer) and other events and outreaches. If you'd like to get in touch with the Reed's and learn more about their work, I can email their contact info to you.
I'm grateful to have the Reed's as my in-laws. They are an inspiration to me, and a godly example for my children.
Grace & peace,
Derek
I have just recently started folowing your blog. It has been a great blessing! I live in upstate NY (The Adirondack Park) I just curious as to where your father in law ministered. I hope that you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
ReplyDeleteRob,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you, brother. I checked out your site, it's great and I love your sense of humor! God bless you as you embrace the challenging role of being a single father. Looks like you're doing a great job!
My Father-in-law worked in the Onondaga County prison system (primarily at Jamesville Penitentiary) near Syracuse for many years. Early on he worked in the Cortland County Jail. He was able to get many prisoners into the Teen Challenge program in place of their sentences, and this was very fruitful work. He still makes occasional trips to upstate NY to visit the few churches in that area that are still supporting his ministry.
For a long time he was involved with New York Prison Ministries, but he later started a non-profit called Christ-Centered Ministries. The man who helped David Wilkerson found Teen Challenge is on the board, and they work together as two older retired men who do more Gospel work than the average full time pastor!
But being a godly father is Gospel work, too, so be encouraged in your labors - God will use all your efforts.
Grace & peace,
Derek
I did some jail ministry years ago. Few things that I've done as a Christian were as simultaneously heart-rending and rewarding as that. I have tremendous respect for those involved in jail and prison ministries.
ReplyDeleteThese words of Jesus arrest me:
"Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”