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History In 1998 while attending a sporting goods trade show, Ron Hock, invited Steve Butler to play softball with his ministry in Florida. He went and God changed his heart. Steve was playing softball for himself and to glorify himself. God showed Steve he could play for Him and use it as a tool to do Kingdom work. Three weeks later Messengers were in our 1st State Prison.
Who we are We're engineers, technicians, carpenters, plumbers, salesman, Mom's and Dad's. We are young, old, fat, short, tall, skinny ,fast and slow men, women and youth from all walks of life who have a passion for Jesus and a love of sports.
What we do We use sports as a tool to reach the unreached men, women and youth in prison. I'm talking about the inmates who think Christianity is for wimps. Inmates who would not darken the door of a chapel service but who will come watch or participate in an athletic event.
How does it work Intramural sports are a way of life in prison. It gives the inmates a way of burning off unwanted aggression. We will show up Saturday morning and play every softball team they have. Up to 8 games in 1 day. After each game while the other team is warming up we give a Gospel presentation and give the inmates a chance to respond. We sign each man that responds up for a discipleship program.
Why it's successful The recidivism rate is around 75% ( that is the return rate to prison within 4 years). When a man gets saved and is discipled the return rate drops drastically. At the Vance Unit in Texas Where a Faith Based program is set in place the recidivism rate is 10%. Also 95% of all inmates get out of prison. That being said I want those men saved and discipled. In Texas there are 115 prisons with over a 160,000 men and women behind bars. The Prison system is our Mission Field. |