Prison Mission with Jake Roche & Crew
Prison Mission Number 4 is in the books! This time I got to do it with friends I haven’t seen in over five years!
When my friend Jake Roche called me to talk like, faith, and worship it was an open door to invite him to the mission field with me.
Since January, I’ve been driving 90 minutes to Bridgeport Texas on the third Saturday of every month. It’s an 8-hour day when it’s all said and done.
My flesh doesn’t love it but my spirit elevates whenever I enter those prison doors. I’m reminded of the freedom Christ gave me and I want to help those behind bars experience the highest form of freedom known to man. Bringing a friend from Florida here was met with a lot of red tape from the enemy, but God made a way!
Speaking of which, Jakes flight was delayed over 4 hours, the rent-a-car place was closed, and he didn’t get into his hotel room until 5 am that Friday. He made it though! He met the opposition with Christ-like positivity and kept the mission on his mind. We first linked up at the podcast studio where we had a life-giving conversation about overcoming church hurt and diving into the heart of worship. It was a real and raw episode that I know will help others grow spiritually.
From there, Jake, his bandmate Casey, Jake’s lovely wife Renee, and I, all went back to my house to enjoy some tacos and homemade guacamole! We had great convos and life and it was so great to get our families together again! Back in Florida, Jake was our worship leader at the church Katherine and I met at. Jake and Renee had us over for dinner multiple times for Jake Steaks and good hangs! This trip reminded me how much I missed and loved them.
Prison Mission
Saturday we had some lunch and off to Bridgeport we went. The 90-minute drive flew by and after multiple pat-downs from the guards we were in there like swimwear!
There was a fight amongst the inmates so the time of their arrival was delayed. Once they were allowed in, it was smiles and warm greetings from both myself and my friend Savannah who was also able to attend the mission for her first time! I was pumped up to see Jake lead worship and for the inmates to experience how he loves on the Lord through the power of praise and worship!
The music started up and “I’ll Fly Away” was the first song sung and man were the lyrics relatable for ALL! It was so surreal seeing Jake lead worship as I had flashbacks of him leading in the early days of my church experiences. He brought the inmates into a place of THEM worshipping God and it was beautiful to witness. Their voices were loud and hungry for a move of God.
Multiple inmates got an opportunity to share a word or a gift of theirs after worship ceased. One brother sang, the next brother gave a WORD, and then I was able to share something God laid on my heart in this season. I shared with them the reality of struggling with inner hurt and emotional wounds from childhood and the grief of losing a friend. I challenged them to face the fires, ask God to heal them, and forgive those who hurt them. It was one of my favorite words I shared because it came straight from my heart built on the back of God’s Word (Specifically the book of John).
Then 70-year-young Roseann Schaub took the mic and gave a sermon that broke through the hearts of everyone in the room. It was so powerful and so needed! She challenged the men to face the giants and not run away from the adversity we will face as the body of Christ. She reminded us God puts us in these struggling situations to strengthen us and prepare us for greater wars in the spirit!
Prison Mission Crew! Me, Jake, Butch, Casey, Roseann, Charlie, Savannah
We concluded with an altar call where I prayed and prophesied over three men. Two of them shared with me that I said something that only they and the Lord knew about. One had tears in their eyes, and the other had wonder. It was a wild experience. I then gave out five copies of my book! Other inmates reserved books for me to bring back in June and we’d love your help raising the funds to order more! Each book cost us around 5 dollars to order! If you’d like to contribute you can give to the fundraiser here!
God moved. God showed up. We invited Him in and He did the rest. God is faithful.
We prayed our way out, snapped a photo, and then Jake, Casey, and I hit up Longhorn Steak House to celebrate a great night of ministry! We fellowshipped, we broke bread, and I was reminded how dope it is to be a VOICE FOR JESUS! Thank you Lord for Sending Me!