GR Press on Bellamy congregation

The Grand Rapids Press has this article and photo gallery from a visit to the Ionia Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, where a new congregation is worshiping regularly.

Dressed in blue-and-orange prison suits and tennis shoes, the men came forward for Holy Communion singing an old spiritual.

"Hallelujah, we're going to see the king," they sang in deep baritone voices. "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the king."

The Rev. Richard Rienstra gave each a small wafer, saying, "The body of Christ, broken for you." The Rev. Carol Muller offered cups of grape juice: "The blood of Christ, shed for your sins."

The inmates smiled at each other, shook hands. They began clapping in time, and their voices grew stronger.

"No more crying there, we are going to see the king. No more dying there, we are going to see the king."

Inside the walls of this state prison, the presence of God was evident in the faces and voices of these two dozen men. For two hours, in a cinder-block classroom, they found faith within the razor wire.

continued...

This is one of the congregations included in our 2007 grant to support worshiping communities in prisons.

More about the grant here from Rich Rienstra at our 2008 Grants Colloquium:



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