Arthur, one of the chaplains at Parchman Prison, told us about a time when he offered to pray for an inmate on death row who was about to be executed. This condemned man responded by placing his hand on Arthur’s arm and saying excitedly, “No, no, brother, let me pray for YOU. I’m going home.” Shortly after speaking these words, this man entered into his eternal home. This man is just one of hundreds at Parchman who have been transformed by the love of Jesus.
Transformation in Parchman Prison
Only six years ago, Parchman Prison ranked among the most dangerous prisons in the world per capita. At this time, Burl Cain was hired to oversee all the prisons in Mississippi. His model revolves around raising up and equipping the inmates to be pastors who minister to their peers. (Read more details of these changes in a previous blog post here).
Radical changes have taken place at Parchman, where today, there are now 10 churches and a seminary. As inmates build trust, they earn privileges and are allowed to leave their fenced-off buildings to walk, bike, or drive unescorted on the 18,000-acre prison property – here’s the most remarkable part: there is no fence around the property. Trust, rather than a fence, keeps them there.
Our team had the privilege of serving at the annual Family Day, where families spent time with their incarcerated loved ones. I had tears of joy watching a little girl leap into her daddy’s arms. The inmates took immense pride in setting up the entire event, which featured horses for riding, bouncy houses, lawn games, food, live inmate bands, and photographers capturing precious family portraits.
Transformation in Ryan’s life
Ryan (name changed) experienced a difficult home life and left home at the age of 12. By the age of 19, he had taken a life. Upon entering prison, he started an Aryan Brotherhood chapter (white supremacist group). They have a value of “Blood in, Blood out” – meaning entry requires taking a life, and exit only comes by losing your own. Ryan killed two more in prison and recruited others to join his movement.
One day he attended a prison church service to make a drug deal. While there, he heard a woman singing and afterward he could not get Jesus out of his mind. He picked up a Bible and read it cover-to-cover in one week, and surrendered his life to Jesus as his Lord and Savior..
Following his conversion, his behavior changed so radically that the guards pulled him aside, thinking he was playing games and up to something. Unable to believe his conversion story, they placed him in lockdown for 30 days, given his reputation as one of the most feared men in the prison.
It took him three years to accept that God could love a murderer like him, but eventually he accepted God’s unconditional love as others spoke into his life. Ryan has such compassion for others as he works in the prison hospital – sometimes with tears of compassion as he cares for the sick men.
Though the prison maintains a large file on him marked “AR” (Assault Risk), he says he is not defined by his file, but by the way God sees him. Ryan told me with great joy in his countenance, “I am freer now than I have ever been before in my life.”
Transformation in Death Row
Having never visited Death Row before, I anticipated the atmosphere of a funeral home— quiet talking, tears, silence, and sorrow. Instead, we walked into a room charged with excitement, joy, energy, warm embraces, and lively conversation. These men were thrilled by our visit
We met with about half a dozen of the 37 currently on death row, and each of them had life and joy flowing out of them. An inmate named Jeremy (name changed) brought out his guitar and led us in worship. He sang his heart out, fully believing and worshiping with every single word:
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King,
His love endures forever.
For He is good, He is above all things
Forever, God is faithful, God is strong, God is with us
Hearing four of these men share their testimonies of God’s redemptive power was an unforgettable gift.
Transformation in Parchman Church
Over our three days at Parchman, we ministered at several church services—leading worship, sharing short devotionals, praying over the men, and listening to their stories.
Worshiping alongside these brothers in Christ looked and felt quite different from typical churches in the “free world.” These men possess a deep, tangible hunger for Scripture. The moment a Bible reference is mentioned, the room fills with the immediate, collective rustle of turning pages. Their Bibles are heavily worn, packed with highlights, underlines, and personal notes.
Watching them worship, it was clear that they do not take God’s mercy for granted. It convicted me: God has extended that exact same mercy to me, yet I often fail to appreciate it with the same intensity.
Even their prayer requests reflect this posture. Instead of asking for circumstantial comfort, I heard them pray:
“Let me hear your voice.”
“Let me love like You love me.”
“Let me do good to others.”
“I worship you and thank you God.”
Transformation in my life
Since returning from Parchman, I have found myself reflecting often on what I experienced. I think about the joy these men possess, their deep love for Scripture, the transformation in their lives, and their gratitude for what Jesus did for them on the cross.
Their circumstances may not be ideal, yet they do not allow those circumstances to steal the joy they have in Christ. So often, my own joy is diminished by something very minor. Their love for God’s Word is challenging me to value Scripture in a richer and more meaningful way.
The transformation taking place at Parchman is not ultimately the result of a program, a prison policy, or human effort. It is the result of men encountering the love, mercy, and saving power of Jesus Christ. Witnessing that transformation is encouraging me to examine my own life and consider how God wants to continue transforming me as well.