Behind Bars but Not Hopeless: God's Grace Sets the Prisoner Free
 Nationwide, more than two million people are held in federal, state, or local prisons. Now, without a doubt, prison can be a desperate and hopeless place. That despair, however, doesn't have to be the final word on the matter. When God's grace through Jesus is made known, things change.
A case in point is what happened in a west Texas jail. After watching a television commercial for Lubbock-based Hope Lutheran Church and School, an area inmate—Danny—wrote a letter to the church expressing his need for hope. He addressed it simply "Attention: Pastor." Tim Radkey, lead pastor at Hope, responded by providing him two Bible studies from the LHM Men's NetWork: Home Run King and He Who Dies With The Most Toys Still Dies.
That was six months ago.
Since then, Danny has been leading other inmates in prayer and Bible studies using LHM Men's NetWork resources. "The material spawned a group of about five men to get together regularly for prayer, reading Scripture, and talking about applying God's Word to their lives and future," Radkey said.
This transformation—while evidence of God's grace at work in the life of this prisoner and the men he's mentored behind bars—has impacted Radkey's ministry as well. According to Radkey, "I have been extremely blessed to see the power of God's Word work in Danny's life, and with each letter, I see new wisdom that God has given him. His devotion to the Word has inspired my devotional life to reach new levels. I can't wait for his release so that our entire church can celebrate the forgiveness that is his and how he has inspired so many at Hope Lutheran. Members of Hope continue to be amazed by the progress God has given Danny. He remains an inspiration to many!"
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