Sunrise Service at Prison

Since I am usually singing on Resurrection Sunday, I have never been unable to participate in the Easter Sunrise Service at the Tennessee Prison for Women... until this morning! It was WONDERFUL!

Barbara and I arrived at the prison 6:20 AM. As we walked out on the yard with Linda Knott (at the spry age of 79, she has been serving these inmates for almost 20 years!) we were singing "He Lives, He Lives - Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way! He Lives, He Lives - salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He Lives - He Lives within my heart!"

When we walked into the chapel we found multiple coffee makers - filled with water and coffee waiting to be brewed. The inmates who work in the chapel take great care to make sure there is enough coffee for all the women who attend. They were located wherever an outlet was present. There were paper notes taped to each coffee maker that read "Please turn on at 6:30".

Signs were laying in the hall - glittered messages - "Happy Resurrection Day!" and "He is Coming Again!" Loving hands had worked hours on the signs. They were ready to be hung for all the compound to see. Baskets were crudely decorated. Four in all. They would hold the communion cups with a wafer on top. I was nothing short of amazed. We were going to take communion together!

In the middle of our prison yard the sidewalks connect. I watched as one of our volunteers carried a wooden cross out to the middle of the intersecting walkway. The cross stands about four feet in height.

Within thirty minutes speakers were set up, communion baskets were filled, coffee was brewed and inmates were streaming out of the unit doors.

We all gathered at the CROSS. Over 300 female prisoners encircled the little wooden cross. Some came for the donut and coffee that would be served at the end of the service. Others were somber and focused. Soon a voice broke the silence ...HE IS RISEN! HE IS ALIVE!

Cheers and clapping filled the prison yard.

We sang about how sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains. I watched women bowing in prayer while they held their communion cups. I watched tears flow and hands raise toward heaven.

Thankful.

Grateful.

Humbled by the sacrifice of a GOD who loves us so.

And I celebrated HIS RESURRECTION in the depth of my spirit.

There were no fancy screens to look at. No video promos to watch. No slick praise band performed. Nothing high tech was involved at all.

Just a bunch of sinners gathered around a cross praising their Savior! And somehow... this was the most extravagant Resurrection Service I have ever attended. The Spirit was welcomed and present - proving once more that God dwells in the worship of His People. No matter where they are located. Prison bars and razor wire can't keep Him out any more then the tomb could keep him in!

Hallelujah! We serve a Risen Savior!!!