America locks up millions. Some of them are the freest people alive.
The freest moment of Rusty Cook’s life was behind the walls of an Oklahoma prison.
An absentee father with a long criminal history, he went to a prison ministry event — mostly to get out of his cell, where he’d been on lockdown for fighting. He kept his distance from the volunteers, though; their ear-to-ear smiles made him uneasy.
But, as the event went on, Rusty began to feel a weight pressing down on his chest. Certain he must be having a heart attack, he looked around for someone who could call a medic. He made eye contact with a volunteer.
This one wasn’t smiling — he was crying, for Rusty. To Rusty, the compassionate volunteer seemed to stand in the place of Jesus. Something inside his toughened heart cracked open.
Rusty told God, “I’m Yours, whatever happens. You lead, I’ll follow.”
Instantly, the weight lifted. While still in prison, Rusty discovered what it meant to be truly free.
Even while many face diminished freedoms as a form of accountability for past wrongs, the members of the Church behind bars know an extraordinary inner liberty. Faith in Christ loosens inner chains. And when we, members of the same extended family of faith, draw close enough to witness their freedom in Jesus, the effects are profound. It revives our faith. It rekindles our joy in knowing the Son who sets us free.
“Land of the free”?
The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. More than 1.9 million people are incarcerated. While prisons themselves are often out of sight and out of mind, the effects of our criminal justice system are felt in our communities. They even reach into the pews where we worship on Sundays; nearly 50% of households have “done time” alongside a loved one.
Yet true freedom is often found in the most unlikely places. Before he went to prison, Rusty had a loving childhood and served his country in the National Guard. But he got lost in a spiral of rebellion, drugs, violence, and multiple incarcerations.
Then a fellow prisoner doggedly shared the Gospel with Rusty through a crack in the door. After Rusty finally turned to God, volunteers helped him grow in his faith and reconnect with his children. Once released, Rusty got a second chance. He helped raise his children and now attends every wrestling match, ballgame, and school play for his eight grandchildren. Rusty returns to prison every working day as Prison Fellowship staff, using his freedom to help others find their own.
Come experience true freedom
At Prison Fellowship, we have heard thousands of stories like Rusty’s over 50 years of ministry. Each restored life reminds us that inner freedom is not about our circumstances.
Galatians 5:13, the apostle Paul writes, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.” Christ unties us from the things that bind us. We maintain our freedom as we lead lives that glorify Him and light the path for our neighbours — including people behind bars.
Witnessing the spiritual freedom of God’s people in prison blesses and challenges me every time I visit. Having been forgiven much, they love much. Many are dedicated mentors and evangelists, helping other incarcerated people experience freedom. Their faith is sparking a revival inside and outside prison that brings the promise of true freedom to our broader culture.
As we reflect on the gift of liberty and remember our incarcerated brothers and sisters, I invite you to draw near to the one who frees us. Seek ways to encounter Him with those behind bars. I know of no experience that will offer greater encouragement and blessing in your faith than answering our Savior’s call to visit people in prison.
As Rusty says, “Jesus is already in here. It’s a rough environment, but even with all these barriers around them, these men are free and living for God. It just makes you want to love Jesus more.”
Heather Rice-Minus serves as President and CEO of Prison Fellowship.
