Bigger Than Us Prison Ministry, Inc.
WHAT WE DO:
WHY WE DO IT:
WHY WE DO IT:
We load up the car, gas up, and head to a hotel near the freeway, many times across the state. The next day we drive to a prison, unload our equipment onto a cart. Patty pulls the cart while Michael carries his two guitars (he can't see to pull the cart). We go through strenuous check-in processes, including x-rays, pat-downs, and detaile
We load up the car, gas up, and head to a hotel near the freeway, many times across the state. The next day we drive to a prison, unload our equipment onto a cart. Patty pulls the cart while Michael carries his two guitars (he can't see to pull the cart). We go through strenuous check-in processes, including x-rays, pat-downs, and detailed equipment examinations before loading the equipment onto the cart again. We make our way to the chapel, where we are greeted by Trustees who immediately help us with our gear, for which we are always grateful! We struggle to make our way to the stage, as Michael is legally blind. We set up our P.A., then greet incarcerated men (and soon women) as they enter the chapel. We spend 90 minutes with them, sharing stories, sharing songs, sharing camaraderie, sorrow and laughter... but MOST importantly, sharing the The Gospel.
Then we basically do this all in reverse, head back to the hotel, and either do another prison show the next day, or head home to plan the next tour!
WHY WE DO IT:
WHY WE DO IT:
WHY WE DO IT:
We know first-hand how an entire family can be torn apart when a member of the family is incarcerated. Many of our songs were written through the pain of our own loved-one's addiction and repeated incarcerations.
We feel that God is leading us to use our talents and experience (as painful as many of those experiences have been) to take
We know first-hand how an entire family can be torn apart when a member of the family is incarcerated. Many of our songs were written through the pain of our own loved-one's addiction and repeated incarcerations.
We feel that God is leading us to use our talents and experience (as painful as many of those experiences have been) to take the Message of the Gospel to the incarcerated church and to those who haven't yet heard The Gospel. Inmates seem to really relate to our lyrics and then they seem to listen intently to the message we bring; a message of God's Hope and Redemption.
We pray for changed hearts, and fathers and mothers who stay OUT of prison, leading their families in faith. We pray that we can help families heal from the 'inside' out! We know the pain so many in these situations are going through, and we are grateful to be able to try to do something about that! THANK YOU, GOD! THANK YOU, SUPPORT TEAM!