On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, our Tennessee Sports Reach Team left Knoxville at 5 am, heading south to Miami, Florida for our last Trip of the year. We were “On the Road Again”, closing out our 28th year of doing Softball Prison Ministry. We took (20) Faithful Men of God, who love to play Softball and love talking to Inmates about the love of Jesus Christ and the Good News of the Gospel. What a Joy and a Privilege to be able to “Go Behind the Razor Wire”.
On Thursday we began by going to Everglade Correctional Facility, and we had a great day of ministry. Everyone from the Administration to the Inmates were all very kind, easy to work with, and were very glad that we were there. We played a lot of softball, saw some old friends, made some new friends, had lots of Spiritual conversations, encouraged a lot of Brothers in Christ, shared with at least 150 inmates, and by the end of the day we saw some even say “Yes” to Jesus. Praise the Lord!!!
On Friday, we had the privilege of going back to Everglade, and we had an awesome day. Once again the weather was great, and the Warden gave us permission to bring in pizza and soft drinks for everyone on the (2) teams we played, as well as our team and at lunch we had a great time of fellowship around the table. We played a lot of softball and several of our guys even made their way over to the basketball courts to fellowship and share with some basketball players. Once again we ended up sharing with at least 150 inmates, and to the Glory of God, by the end of the day, again we saw some say an everlasting, “Yes” to Jesus Christ.
On Saturday, Day 3, in the prisons, we went to the South Florida Reception Center, and we had an amazing day of Ministry. They got us in fairly quickly, and everyone was very nice, and glad that we were there. God gave us just what we needed, dry weather, which was a blessing. The softball was great, and we had many great opportunities to talk with inmates one on one, and in small groups. Several of our guys got to share with everyone on the Rec Yard using a microphone, and throughout the day we were able to share with at least 175, and Praise the Lord we saw (29) men accept Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior.
Then on Sunday we ended our Trip with a half day in Hamilton Correctional Facility, and it was a great way to end our Trip. We had a great time, and got to share with at least 100 men, and by noon when we left (16) men had accepted Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior. So, by the end of the weekend we saw a total of (61) men who indicated that they prayed to receive Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior. Amen and Amen!!! What an awesome Trip to close out our 28th year of doing Softball Prison Ministry.
As we have ministered through the years, one of our greatest blessings besides seeing many men give their life to Christ, is to see Fathers and Sons, serving the Lord together, “Behind the Razor Wire”. Scott Bolton and Craig Connatser both have had the joy of serving with their sons. As we end our 28th year of Softball Prison Ministry we Praise the Lord for all that He has done over these years. We give Him all of the Glory and Honor.
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