In Southwestern Virginia some years...
Illustration
In Southwestern Virginia some years ago, a small prison was used regularly by area ministers as a proving ground for Sunday afternoon services which sought earnestly to "convert" their captive audience.
One of these captives was a young man of considerable intelligence and literary talents who was serving time for an armed robbery. He shunned the Sunday onslaught of preachers and constantly turned his back on their preaching.
One Sunday afternoon, the preachers were forced by the prison authorities to yield a few minutes of their time to allow a visiting church youth group to visit with the prisoners. The youths brought their Christian testimony to share with the prisoners, but they also brought other gifts: candy, books, Bibles, stationery; and -- more importantly -- they offered tolerance, music, laughter, and encouragement.
The young convict, once surly and defiant, soon became a part of their program, lending his voice to their music, and sharing his ambitions with one of the youths who also aspired to a writing career.
Two years later, the young man was released. With the youth group's assistance he obtained a job on a newspaper, and just a short time later was working as an editor for a small, but active publication.
The church youth group continued their weekly visitations to the prison, sharing the greatest of all gifts with the outcasts -- the gift of their love.
One of these captives was a young man of considerable intelligence and literary talents who was serving time for an armed robbery. He shunned the Sunday onslaught of preachers and constantly turned his back on their preaching.
One Sunday afternoon, the preachers were forced by the prison authorities to yield a few minutes of their time to allow a visiting church youth group to visit with the prisoners. The youths brought their Christian testimony to share with the prisoners, but they also brought other gifts: candy, books, Bibles, stationery; and -- more importantly -- they offered tolerance, music, laughter, and encouragement.
The young convict, once surly and defiant, soon became a part of their program, lending his voice to their music, and sharing his ambitions with one of the youths who also aspired to a writing career.
Two years later, the young man was released. With the youth group's assistance he obtained a job on a newspaper, and just a short time later was working as an editor for a small, but active publication.
The church youth group continued their weekly visitations to the prison, sharing the greatest of all gifts with the outcasts -- the gift of their love.
