The prophet predicted Jesus Christ would come “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound,” (Isaiah 61:1), and no joy compares to hearing from those who have been given clean hearts and a new life! 3ABN’s ministry not only reaches into homes around the world, but it also reaches into prisons, as well. So many are desperately searching for something to give their life meaning behind bars—men like Mark, who found our local 3ABN Radio station here in southern Illinois.
In 2009 he began corresponding with Grace Yost, a volunteer with 3ABN’s Pastoral Ministries Department. “A couple of months ago Christ made me aware of your 3ABN Radio station,” he wrote. “You have a most precious message—a message of overcoming all sin. You also told me that Christ is able to keep us from falling!
“I want to worship Jesus—the Lord of the Sabbath—on His Sabbath day. I want to do something to advance God’s kingdom and give glory to His name. Please reply, for I cannot do this alone.”
With great tenderness and compassion, Grace encouraged him to hold fast. She also promised to send him resources to aid in Bible study and worship.
Soon a new letter arrived. Although the prison chaplain hadn’t granted Mark permission to bring in a volunteer to lead Sabbath services, he would be permitted to lead them, himself!
“I Don’t Know How!”
Mark was in a near panic. “I don’t know how to lead a worship service, and I’m afraid of my unworthiness for such a task!” he confided. “I’m not a preacher, and this is an important matter, because souls are at stake! Is Christ calling me to do this—to start and lead a worship service for His honor? I need counsel from Heaven. I need prayer on this. But if this is God’s will, I cannot resist it. Christ must be glorified. Please pray that the Father will lead me, and please forgive me for writing these words, but I have no one else to share the deeper things of God with.”
Over the next months and years, Grace constantly reassured Mark, sending him resources in the form of DVDs, and researching topics that puzzled him. Her gentleness was deeply effective, as evidenced by his correspondence.
Another Request
Then, in 2010, Mark wrote again. “Grace, do you think someone from 3ABN or your local church would consider coming to our Sabbath worship once a month? Maybe once every couple of months, or even just one time? I hope this isn’t a selfish request, but I feel so inadequate for the responsibility of these men. I don’t want to be a burden, but I want to meet others who believe these truths.”
Her response must have burst on him like a ray of sunshine: “Dear Mark, I purposely delayed answering your letter until I had a chance to speak to 3ABN’s treasurer, Pastor Brian Hamilton. He has started a prison ministry in our local church and assured me that he was more than willing to visit you.”
A Wonderful Event
Soon Brian and a prison ministry team were visiting the small group of believers in the penitentiary every Sabbath, and on October 17, 2013, a wonderful event took place. As the prison chaplain and ministry team looked on, Pastors Brian Hamilton and C. A. Murray baptized Mark and five of his brothers in Christ! One by one, they buried their old life and received a very clean heart in the only baptistery available—a large blue plastic laundry cart!
“It was one of the most moving baptisms I’ve ever witnessed,” Brian says. “We all had tears in our eyes as we saw what Christ had done to them and through them. No words can describe it.”
“The heart of one who is truly transformed cannot be contained,” Grace says. “They are compelled to do what God has asked them to do, and that’s exactly what Mark did by starting a Sabbath worship service. I’m so blessed to be working with those who have truly lost everything, but found eternal life in Jesus Christ.”
From an early age, I showed interest in all things electronic. In fact, my mother told me that at nine months of age I was watching the back of the TV set! Apparently I was more interested in the glowing tubes than what was showing on the screen!” He chuckles, and then adds, “I enjoyed adjusting TV sets, too!”
Pastor Titus Naftanaila is happy to have such an enthusiastic new member in his church and appreciates his contribution of time and effort in its television ministry. “Since his baptism, Fred has continued to be very actively involved in video production and broadcasting of our services on TV,” he says. “He spends a considerable amount of time and resources to accomplish his dream of spreading the good news in Madison.”
“My father was a drunk and would pass out on the couch all the time. However, my mother would take me to church with her on Sundays, and I learned about Jesus. I’ve always loved Him, and I’ve always said my prayers every night. But by the time I was 15, life had become unbearable, and I told my father I was going to run away.”
“I was the second child of five,” Wayne begins. “You know, the one who doesn’t get much attention,” he chuckles. “My dad was a farmer, till the oil fields came in during the late 30s. My parents were good people, but didn’t attend church much, so my religious background was almost nil. However, when I was 14, two of my friends and I decided to attend a local church revival. The preacher knew we hadn’t been baptized, so he told us, ‘If you boys don’t join the church tonight, when you die, you’ll go straight to hell and burn forever and ever!’ I wasn’t that versed in the Bible, but I’d always heard that God was a loving God. It didn’t make sense that He could be that cruel, so that night I left the church—and didn’t go back!”
Like Wayne, Mary Lou was raised in southern Illinois. Her dad farmed, but during World War II, he began working for the railroad, and then later, for the park service.
