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
My Father-in-law just can't stay out of prison. At 70, he's still working as a chaplain helping inmates to find the grace of God and a new start. Recently, he was featured on the local news - again. This time, it's a story about his "prison art show," which is made up of paintings, drawings and sculptures crafted by the incarcerated men he's worked with over the years. It's pretty amazing stuff.
