Editor’s Note: The following reflection was shared by Juan, our Malachi Dads team leader at the Jester III Unit. On the third week after our delayed startup due to a chapel remodel, God had a surprise waiting for Juan and his team. Juan can tell you the rest……….
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Our Jester III MD program was scheduled to begin in February. The program was delayed until July 8, 2026. The first 2 weeks of our program began by watching the movie “Courageous”. We averaged 32 students for the first 2 weeks.
On July 22, our third week back, we began Chapter 1, “Why We Need Men of Resolution,” from The Resolution for Men book. It was the hottest day of 2026—103°F. We entered the chapel with just three volunteers.
What I witnessed was amazing. As we walked through the Chapel, the room was full. There were no empty seats.
The Lord brought 62 men into our class.
The volunteers improvised and allowed God to work out how to lead six small groups with only three volunteers. We had several students that have been in the MD program before lead tables where we had no volunteer. I gave up my table that had some mature Christian men for a new table with 5 new students. We lacked books and materials for several of the students and we shared. God made this a special night.
The Lord’s word in the Bible is so ever true. The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. These men were hungry for what God had to offer that night. The word the Lord brought to my attention was, men need to wake up to God’s calling in their lives.
Then, a volunteer opened the class with our Malachi pledge and prayer. I shared a brief word of encouragement.
Then Jonathan, a man who had been in our program for the last two years, shared a testimony. He shared that he had not spoken with his twin 29-year-old daughters in four years. He paused. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Jonathan had just spoken with his daughters and they called him Dad.
His daughters were not aware of his illness and that he could no longer walk. His daughters encouraged their father and told him they are looking forward to the day when he can walk and be back home. Jonathan thanked Malachi Dads for helping him become a better father to his children despite being incarcerated.
This is why I serve.
I am grateful to my Lord and savior who rescued me. I get emotional when I praise and worship the LORD. I have been serving the Lord for half my life. I am grateful that the LORD has me in prison ministry where I am supposed to be. The Lord is not blind to our needs and reaches out to all when working in His harvest.
I am unable to express my feelings and emotions when I hear the pains and sorrows from these men. All I can say is that it is real when anyone comes to that place and time when you are tired, burdened, empty, and surrender your heart to the LORD. He is the only one that can change us from the inside out.
Thank you, Lord and Malachi Dads, for the opportunity to serve in one of the darkest places where the harvest is full and men want to hear about Jesus. In closing, my wife recently shared a song, God Knows My Name. This song is a powerful reminder of God’s grace and mercy that is available to anyone who is broken.
I was broken once and the Lord called me and received me just how I was. He restored me and my family. I have such an appreciation for the Father Son relationship in heaven and on earth.
Sincerely,
Juan
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Editor’s Note: Juan and his team did an incredible job adjusting to the overwhelming response of men who are hungry to learn God’s Word. We are seeing this same hunger in all five prison units we serve. We have opportunities to expand, but we need more volunteers. If God is putting a tug on your heart to serve, even a small tug, come visit one evening and see what He is doing. You will be surprised.