Loving People to Wholeness

It was one of the strangest compliments I’d ever received.

Pastor Sapp pointed at me.

“Spencer’s an example of an average person living out their faith in prison.”

I never thought that being called average would be such a compliment, but in that moment, I understood. I was genuinely honored. I think it’s the perfect way to describe what it is we aim to do at HeartBound.

You see, HeartBound has developed a model for the spiritual and moral rehabilitation of the incarcerated. It doesn’t cost a lot of money, it’s not full of corporate jargon and catchphrases, it’s not sleek or sexy. It’ll never attract big-time corporate donors or be written about in the New York Times, but we don’t care because we know it works.

We love people to wholeness.

We practice lifestyle evangelism. Our staff and volunteers are consistent and constant presences inside prisons across Georgia and Tennessee, teaching rehabilitative, therapeutic, educational, and vocational programming.

A lot of people want to go into prisons and preach. There’s never a shortage of people who want to stand in front of a group of convicted felons and talk about God’s wrath and changing their ways to the straight and narrow.

Preaching is great. But often, this form of preaching is a one-sided conversation. There’s no real discussion, nor is there a follow-up.

Our programs are totally different. They are full of lively discussions. There’s plenty of back and forth, vigorous philosophical and spiritual debating. There’s often homework and time for reflection.

You see, we want people to look at our team of instructors and volunteers and see something different in them. That they aren’t there to preach or chastise. That they’re there to love.

Jesus commands us to love our neighbor. There’s no caveat to that statement. Jesus doesn’t say love your neighbor if… He just says to love. Unconditionally.

And that’s what we do. Our classes aren’t closed off to anyone. They aren’t explicitly for Christians or those interested in Christianity. They’re open to all.

What we try to do for the incarcerated is show them the most perfect model for living – Jesus Christ. When they look in their cell’s mirror, we want them to see who they can become, and the best model of who we should all desire to become is Jesus.

And the great thing is that this works. You see, Jesus is pretty relatable to the incarcerated. After all, he was arrested, found guilty, and sentenced. Last I checked, that makes him a convicted felon. He was a rebel, a nobody from Nazareth, a troublemaker.

So today, I have a challenge for you all.

Love and be loved.

We aren’t here to render prisons unnecessary or to magically fix this broken system called “Corrections.” We are here to fill it with God’s presence.

Find His presence. Invite him in. Begin saying prayers like “thank you”. Pray for your neighbor. Pray for those in prison.

Love somebody to wholeness.

Be average.

Have a blessed day.

Spencer