Big House Revival Ministry Log
June 19 and 20, 2010 – Corcoran Prison
It was suggested by a friend that I (Patty) take the task of journal writing for this ministry back from Paul. Paul is having a difficult time finding time. Between all of the ministries in which we are involved, though it is fun, and we love serving, each carries it’s own NEEDS. Paul needs time to develop his aptitude as a pastor, and be in the Word; and as a worship leader he needs to be able to practice his music; as a song writer, he needs the time (when the Lord gives him a song) to get the song down – or it can go away. The friend shall remain nameless (Kathy) but you know who you are, and I humbly accept your words of wisdom, and will write what Paul communicates to me, and then have him check it for accuracy. So, if we don’t post every trip, my fault, completely. If he doesn’t read it, that is a different story, and I’ll tell on him.
The Friday, before Paul leaves is always an active day. I need to have him run errands, and gather up everything I need for the weekend. I am still on restricted driving (self-imposed) after the accident – simply because I have limited range of movement without pain. It is safer for everyone involved if I don’t drive! Especially the other drivers. Plus, I hate the pain when I have to do something to make it safe for the other drivers and myself, and forget what I cannot do, and go right on ahead and do it. Bong! Ow! Crunching bones! I feel like those cartoonist’s words from The “Batman” TV Series are displayed in front of me. If you are too young to remember this show on TV, sorry. They used to appear in bright yellow and red, captions in a sharp-pointed oval or circle, radiating out from the center of the screen. Yep, that’s what it feels like.
This past Friday was no exception, he ran and filled up the gas tanks on both of the cars, and went over to CC Costa Mesa to pick up Bibles and study materials from Calvary Distribution. Then, he got me some treats so that I would be good, and remember that he loves me. Treats go a long way in my world. Love my snacks. Have to have ice, and something to drink, and I’m so picky on what I will eat, out of what I am able to eat. Long story, but if you know me … you know.
It was especially hard this weekend, for him, and for our grown children … Father’s Day was on Sunday. The men in the prison are fathers, also, and someone needs to let them know they are loved by their “family” on the outside, the Church Body. Our kids are used to service, so they are understanding, they had to be. Our son is a worship leader in a new Church which CC Refuge planted with Pastor Chuck’s blessing, in Buena Park. He totally understands why Paul has to go. Plus, it also meant that I had to drive myself to help administer the High School Exit Exam to a bunch of young people, so I was a little nervous. Now that the prison has Paul on a “regular”, inflexible, schedule, it cannot be helped.
Both of us got up at 4:15 am on Saturday, joyfully running around … and encouraging each other to the best of our ability at that time in the morning. Narf? Uhhhh! Mmmmm? Ohhh. That’s about what it sounds like around the house at that time in the morning. Plus, KWVE is blasting out, so it can be heard, and we can be filled.
Now that Paul has an early service for the Spanish speaking brothers, it does put a strain on time. He has to be there ninety minutes earlier than he used to, and he does it with JOY, but it still throws him off a little. The traffic was not bad, and he flew along, minding the speed limit, but pushing it a little, too. I got to speak with him at around 10:00 as he was driving up, and we discussed how he was going to get lunch into the prison, or even be able to eat, with all the Bibles he was taking into the prison.
You see, he can take Bibles in, the guards check what he has, and they are good with him taking them in. The Spanish translation Bibles he has been taking in lately have broken down some walls. They are not visible walls, but the guards look at them, and ask Paul if he speaks Spanish, and when Paul tells them he does not, but they are for ministering to the Spanish-speaking men, they approve. Some of the guards have asked questions, and that opens opportunities for Paul to speak with the guards about the Lord. Planting seeds! It’s all good.
So, on the way up he was able to stop at Subway and get our favorite $5 Foot-long Broiled Chicken Breast on Italian Herb bread (now, I’m hungry!!!) with all the fixings, and carried it into the prison in the bag. The two bottles, one water, and one with Airborne and water, went into his jacket pockets, and he has his guitar strapped on his back, the lunch box full of the Word over one arm, and the Subway bag with his breakfast, lunch and dinner sandwich, held in the other for balance. Wearing a jacket is hard on Paul because of the heat, but he needs all the pockets that a Levi jacket or vest provides. The area where the prison is built is desert, and is usually close to 100 degrees this time of year, and will only get hotter as the summer goes on. It is quite a walk for him to get to the Yard on Saturday because he has to turn in his ID at one gate, rather than the one which is at the Yard, and then drive back to the gate he has to enter into, and then walk to the Yard. New rules, and no ride, a quarter-mile walk … and it was a cool 86 degrees on Saturday. He was “kicking it” as after the check-in, and the exchange between the guard and Paul, driving, and then being checked in by the other guard at the other gate, the quarter-mile had to be done in a hurry so he could open the Chapel and prepare it for the men. The list of the men who have signed up for Chapel is on file with the Operations Office, and if there are new men who are now signed-up they tell Paul, and he needs to go around to the different buildings, and get the men released for the Spanish-speaking service, then he needs to repeat the same process for the English-speaking services. Then, he has to go back to the Chapel and sit and wait, through the Spanish-speaking Service because he cannot leave the men alone in the Chapel, and listens to what is being said.
For those of you who don’t know, or have forgotten, the Saturday Yard is not only a long walk, but Paul has no place to sit to prepare, or to eat, relax, or pray and gather himself together to give God the glory. There is also no privacy, or any place for him to put his “stuff” (including the Subway $5 Foot Long!) so he has to take his whole passel of stuff with him, and go from building-to-building, looking somewhat like a trail guide with guitar on board. Since he is 6′ 4” and the guitar neck is about 3 foot long, he must be quite a sight, hot-footing it around the Yard. At least the congregation knows he is there if they are out and about in the heat.
When he got to the Chapel, he was surprised to find four Buddhists! Actually, by his description, there was one chaplain, one assistant and two Buddhists. They are not scheduled to be in the Chapel, but were scheduled to have their service, and were willing to go into the Library. Paul has 50 Pentecostal-leaning men coming in and the Buddhists would probably not know what to do. They could get gathered up in the enthusiasm, and in the Spanish and go through a whole conversion. Then, Paul would be in trouble for proselytizing which gets us into a whole other “discussion” and then …
The guard who Paul had spoken to about getting the air conditioning repaired had come through this time! Hurray. It is now comfortable in the Chapel and Library. Last summer, it was over 100 degrees outside, and hotter inside. What a blessing this was! Yes, I know, it is the desert, and it is a dry heat, so … it is not as hot as it says on the thermometer. However, get 50 men, worshiping the Lord, packed into the space, and it becomes humid. The men become humid, you can interpret this any way you want to, and it gets a little odoriferous. Needless to say, this was a real praise.
The first service is Spanish-speaking, and because the Buddhists were in the Chapel, several of the men had gone in, saw the Buddhists, didn’t understand what was going on and left. So Paul rounded them up again, and got them situated a little later than normal, and was able to eat, and organize the next Service, warming up on the guitar, and try to prepare to teach, then gathering the men up for the next Service.
The Spanish Service, it turns out, is Pentecostal and gets loud. Paul has spoken to some of the men who are bi-lingual and they say that the Word is going forth correctly, and so he is not worried about that. He is settled in the Calvary way now, however, so it seems a little odd to him now… or perhaps he is just getting older??? No, he can still rock with the best of them. It is just a little difficult to prepare your heart for teaching, and leading the men, with the room just next to you vibrating out with Spanish PRAISE, Amen. He says that it takes him back to the days when we did inner-city ministry and the teaching that went on in North Long Beach.
After the Spanish-speaking Chapel ended, he got the next Service started. They have had two Services up until a month ago. Paul is trying to unite, rather than allow division. The two Services had the same message, just one had more “traditional” worship and the other more “contemporary” … leaving less time for the Fellowship between the brothers. It seems to be working, but Paul knows he has to remain flexible. He is treating it a little like he does the Thursday Morning “The Word Among Us” with Pastor John Henry, typically opening with some contemporary worship, then a Hymn and sometimes teaching them all a new song. The service now has worship for 45 minutes, then there is announcements, prayer and then the message, then fellowship. Paul seems to be able to get the men to break down the walls, and to want to fellowship with the other brothers-in-Christ. It is good to linger, and pray for each other, and to just be able to love each other without the cares and fears of the world coming in. If your church is a refuge for you, just imagine how this Chapel would be a refuge for these men! Paul gets done with the Service, and the fellowship at 4:00 and then he cleans up the Chapel.
This week as he walked back to the gate, to check out and retrieve his ID, and hand back in the keys, he felt led to check in on, and see the guys in another Yard, and look at what their needs might be. You know, prayer, or encouragement, just the pastor-type things he does. He also needed to talk to one of the Lieutenants about bringing in the elements for Communion on Sunday morning. It turned out to be Spirit’s leading him. The men in that Yard had not had Services, their Volunteer Chaplain was not able to shown up, and had not fully communicated with Paul to let him know the situation regarding Services on Saturday. So, after he found the Lieutenant, who is very supportive of Paul, he asked Paul if he would like to have an impromptu Service. Of course Paul said, “Yes.”
This Lieutenant did not know that there had not been a Service earlier that day because it was not during his watch, but just made the offer, because he loves Paul, and thought that since Paul was there, why not let the Christian brothers worship? Paul went around to all the buildings, and let the guys know that there would be Protestant Services after chow at 7:00 pm. Paul then left the prison for the parking lot, and gave me a call to let me know what was going on so that I wouldn’t worry when I didn’t hear from him at the normal time.
He knows that in the back of my mind, though I KNOW that God has his back, there is always the wifely fear that something might happen. I mean, he ministers in a place that has men who have admittedly murdered, or been convicted of whatever they did to get locked up, and he is in a room without any guard… it is just my imagination that can get away from me. I spend a lot of time praying for protection, but those thoughts keep creeping in. So, for that reason, (AKA my sanity) he calls when he is running late. When he doesn’t, it could lead to consequences, which is not worth it. Believe me.
He went back in, prepared, and they had a great turn-out for the Service. It was then Paul found out that the men had not had Services that morning. God must have directed Paul to the right man who would offer to let him have that Service for those who truly wanted to attend Services, who needed the Word to carry them through the week ahead. Paul is teaching from I John, that is what Our Lord put on his heart. He wants to take them to Revelation, just because they don’t really understand what is going on. There is a great lack of understanding on prophesy in the Body there. As Paul is speaking with them, they are curious about “what in the world is going on” with the Bible and the headlines lining up.
In I John there is so much of Christ’s Love that comes through, and Paul wants to let them know how much God loves them. He is not able to go through the Bible, verse by verse, simply because he is not always allowed to teach when he goes up. There have been, and will continue to be, reasons for that. Sometimes there are riots, or different diseases that are highly contagious, or just because there are not enough guards to let the men go out into the Yard, they move the men, shake them up, have inspections of their cells, there are so many reasons. So, Paul prayed about it, and felt led to go to the Epistles of John, to prepare the way to Revelation. The time is short until we go Home, and he feels that the men need to know this so that they will be used by God to bring more of the other men Home with them. Somehow, he knows, the men need to bring more of the men to know Our Lord as their Savior. He has to build a fire in their souls to bring more to the Lord. We don’t know how much of the Body is witnessing, or if they are witnessing, Paul just knows that the church is growing. He also knows it is probably not his teaching that is causing the church to grow… more on that, later in this report.
Somehow, I was able to stay awake to get a report on the Service, but I don’t remember a lot of what he said. I know that it was a good Service, the men sang, and worshiped, and the Word went out. I remember Paul was hungry and got something to eat, from somewhere. Good wife? Not really. Good reporting? No. I had gotten up at 4:15 am, been on my feet until 1:15 pm, and had run out of steam. Paul was running on the Holy Spirit. How he does it, I just can’t tell you.
I had decided that I would go to CC Costa Mesa the next morning, to be with the Bell Family, because it was going to be Jim Bell and the other two Jim’s leading worship. The CD was finished, Jim was better after the heart by-pass, and I wanted to be there just to make Marilyn feel supported and loved. This has been a difficult time for her, and for the whole family, and I wanted to see their girls, and hug Big Jim. I watched the first service on the Internet as I got ready for church, and then was there for the second and the start of the third Service before I went home to scan in a picture for Friday’s Joyful Life, Summer of Surrender, update the computers, and then collapse until Paul called me to help him get home. He knows the way, it’s just the traffic and the fastest way home which I get from the Internet.
Early Sunday morning, Paul gathered up the Communion items, and after eating a hearty breakfast, went to the Prison. It turned out that he couldn’t have Services! Since it was Father’s Day, fifty – five of the guards had call in “ill” … blue flu? Only in the California State Correctional Institutions, it has to be khaki flu, or green flu, or something equally odd.
After hearing this, Paul could have turned around at the gate, and left and come home. He didn’t. He decided to go and do cell visitation to his congregation. He was able to pray with, encourage, and exhort his little flock. God used it for good. Paul was able to speak with men which are believers who are not in Fellowship, and feel that they could just study the Word alone. Scripture was brought to mind to cover this situation and others he came across, and he encouraged those he spoke to to sign up to come to the Chapel. He got encouragement back from members of the flock, who felt led to tell the other men how it was good to be bathed in the Word of the Lord.
I got a call from Paul, he told me about his morning, and I told him about mine. He checks in when he leaves the prison, and then again as he is on the Grapevine. When he called me from the Grapevine I did the usual abc7.com traffic check to see how he should get home in a timely manner. He was leading the people who come to the Fellowship Hall after the Service in worship of Our Lord through music as they pray. The first and third Sundays are busy for him, as he runs back, hopefully in time to set-up the equipment before the Service starts, and if not, he has to do it as soon as the Service ends, and before the Worship and Prayer starts.
This time, he got home in time to unpack the Tahoe, then to re-pack the Tahoe to get to CC Costa Mesa, set up the equipment, and then got to listen to Pastor Chuck for a time of refreshment for Paul’s weary bones. My words, not Paul’s (the weary bones) he said he still was energized from the work he saw Our Lord do over the weekend. It is so good for me to see him like that, wanting to go and Serve in any way he can.
Well, now touching back on the teaching … you know, the above note on the whole thing about Paul teaching… He doesn’t feel adequate teaching his flock. This bothers him, more than he likes to admit. I mean, we are sitting under some of the best Bible Teachers in the world. If we don’t see them in person, we listen on the radio, and we watch on the Internet. We not only have KWVE, but also hischannel.com, we are well-fed sheep. We have CDs and DVDs to listen to and to watch, we are so very glad that God has seen fit to gift us with all these things. Like Pastor John Henry Corcoran (no relation to the prison, LOL) will tell us, he sometimes feels as if he is just repeating what Pastors have taught him, Chuck, Brian, Cheryl, and the host of other pastors we are privileged to know, to be able to listen to, and from whom we learn about the True and Living Word. God has moved us from church to church, from pastor to pastor, gaining more knowledge as we moved. It is hard to express, but it was as if God, in His Infinite Knowledge KNEW when we were ready to learn more, were ready to get deeper and wider, and to delve into His Word and bathe in IT. We know God knows all things, and He did it the way He did it. It still takes my breath away knowing that He cares that much for Paul, for me, for us as a couple; that He is mindful of us, and knows our desire to know Him more. Just a glimpse into Paul and I, and why he feels so inadequate. I’ve only heard him teach one time, and it’s probably a good thing.
So, I know that he does mention to the men that they need to test everything he says, and look into the Word, and try to find out if he is leading them the wrong way, or saying anything that is contrary to God’s Word. He’s pretty emphatic about it, in fact. It is the way we have been taught. Ask questions! Don’t feel it is wrong to question your Pastor! Try and test, and look into the Word of God to be certain that he is correct.
Paul got a couple of letters last week, encouraging letters from the men. They are letting Paul know that he is speaking to their hearts, and opening the Word to them in a way they have not experienced before. He wept. These men are learning to submit to God’s Will in their lives, and somehow God is using Paul to encourage them. Conversely, God is using these men to encourage Paul in the walk set before him.
As I finish this up, Paul is getting ready for Monday Nights Live. He is allowed to lead the Team Leaders in worship. Tomorrow we both get to serve for (what used to be called) New Believer’s Fellowship, but is now going to be called Believer’s Plugged-In. It, too, is growing as more and more become hungry for the Word. Paul leads the worship team and I help out with posting the words for the worship. Exciting times we are living in!
Thanking God for providing a way to Serve Him …
Patty Duke
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May 15 & 16, 2010: Learning the New Routine
Posted by Paul Duke
Recently my life has been taking on the appearance of a blur. Trying to balance my multifaceted ministry and my ministry at home is a challenge. It’s really a blessing that my wife Patty is just as involved in serving, if not more so, than I. Her symptoms are working their way into our daily routine and don’t seem to be quite the same hindrance as before. It’s amazing what becomes the norm in life, how we’ve been created by the Master Craftsman Himself to adapt to such radical turns in life as times of paralyzing pain and nerve disorder. This can in itself be dangerous, when we allow suffering to become routine, though we must press on we must trust in His Mercy and to pray for His deliverance.
Again, with all that said I’ll move on: May 15
On my way driving up to Corcoran I was able to speak with my friend and chaplain-mentor, Pastor Michael Reed. We discussed the complexity of ministry at Corcoran Prison and our family’s ongoing health issues which ultimately lead to a time of intense prayer forcing me to park my car. Please remember Mike’s family in your prayers. Our time of interaction slowed me down a bit and I arrived at Corcoran’s West Gate at 11:00am though it was my intention to arrive at 10:30.
A Baptism service was planed in the Chapel on this day and so after speaking with the staff to call out the body of worshippers we began setting up for this joyous occasion. What a great way to start a weekend of ministry, the privilege of baptizing five brothers in Christ!!! Various members of the Church body started setting up the Baptismal consisting of: a collapsible metal frame and a heavy vinyl inner material to serve as the tub for complete immersion. While this was going on we were also setting up the sound system in the sanctuary for worship through song and the Word of God. Needless to say it’s quite important that the water from the Baptism doesn’t interact with the electricity for the sound system…. You may not need coffee for a month..
“Deacon Darryl” and I gathered the five brothers to be baptized, we discussed the significance of and why we baptize. When we were sure that they understood and were indeed born again believers we moved forward. As we ministered one to another I was so blessed by the absolute joy and peace they were radiating. I couldn’t help but consider the lives these men had experienced before accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Here before me where men like me, sinners set free from the absolute bondage of sins control and darkness in their lives, now ready to testify of the impact of Christ’s Love in their lives. Five lives changed; a now “completed” Russian Jew, a former White Supremacist, a former Demon Worshiper and two “Generic Sinners” now saved by Grace.
We opened the service with worship and a word of exhortation before beginning the Baptism Service. The Baptismal was set up inside the doorway leading out to the prison yard so we could bear witness to the men in the yard. The brothers after giving their testimony of faith and being baptized would walk outside along the building and return into the chapel’s main entrance some fifty feet away.
There are treasured moments in life that we never forget and this day will remain as one of them for me. As we baptized the brothers each were distinct in their testimony of what Christ has done in their lives. The greatest impact on me was as I brought the Russian up from submersion and saw the tattoo on his back, a beautiful Star of David, approximately 14 inches across. It was glorious to behold, I was so impacted by it I almost dropped him back into the water. The privilege of baptizing one of God’s chosen people a “completed Jew” was a wonderful experience. The former demon worshiper and the white supremacist both were covered in tattoos which displayed their former allegiances which now would remind them of the hatred and fear they had been saved from by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
After the Baptisms I led worship for a few songs and we dove into His Word from First Peter and we closed with an extended time of fellowship and prayer. It was a blessed time with the Lord, I closed up the Chapel at 4:15pm, I headed for the gate and my room in Tulare to consider the marvelous works He has done.
Sunday, May 16th
The schedule for Sunday morning services have become somewhat unpredictable due to the complications in A Yard with the pre-existing hostilities between the Northern & Southern Latino gangs. Unfortunately, due to budgetary restrictions these two groups are housed in the same yard creating a potential powder keg waiting to explode. This puts the staff in the awkward position of keeping them apart and having to work yard schedules around their mandated yard time as well as scheduling time for group meals. All that to say, I have to wait to schedule Sunday morning services until these issued have been resolved. The staff in A Yard has been very appreciative so far, of my flexibility and I would ask you to pray that the spirit of co-operation continues for the good of the ministry. The good news is we have yet another reason to pray: for the peace of A Yard.
I arrived in the yard at 10:45am and made my rounds with staff which resulted in Chapel opening up at 12noon and services being able to begin at approximately 12:30. The extra time in the yard allows me time to build on my relationships with members of staff as well as additional prep time for the message and special music for the upcoming service.
I have been blessed to be given the opportunity to develop a relationship with the inmate Pastor, Michael. He is a dear faithful brother who any ministry would be blessed to have in its ranks and I am honored to have become his Pastor. We had time to discuss some of the issues which I needed to be brought up on especially considering the fact that I am at Corcoran every other weekend. As I have mentioned before, the dynamics of Prison Ministry are not unlike any other young church due to the constant change of inmate population as a result of intermittent shifting between yards and facilities. Needless to say the intensity level is a bit higher due to the personalities and the living conditions of the individuals involved. The biggest issue at this point within the church in A Yard is for the love and unity of the body (not unlike any other church). We are still dealing with the issues of the last move of inmate population between G and A Yard and so I will continue addressing the gifts of Love & Mercy (which will bring unity) in my messages as we move through First and Second Peter.
Among the trials and testing of the church behind the walls is the understanding of His Word as several of our brothers have come to the Lord during their time in prison, these dear ones can have the passion and fire while being limited in their understanding of God’s Word. This can be very dangerous, if they are mentored by the wrong person who through their own misunderstanding of Scripture may promote division within the Body, with a “holier than thou” attitude through their understanding of the Gifts and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit which can quickly ignite a conversation into a forest fire. Romans 12:3-16, is one section of Holy Scripture that comes to mind that addresses the attitude we are called to have in regard to the Operative Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Obviously there are several examples through Scripture which address this issue but for time allowance, I’ll roll with it as an example. This situation is a classic example of why I address the Grace and Love of Our Lord repeatedly through the messages I am blessed to bring to the yards of Corcoran.
The attendance of the services are still smaller than they were in G Yard but that is to be expected as He is developing these new relationships with many of the inmates who were transferred from other yards. I am seeing great progress with the Latino Brothers as they have received me as their pastor and mentor. I know that learning to work with a translator as I’m preaching has been very helpful. The Lord is blessing these efforts and I’m not getting confused by the translator as before when they were translation behind me by five or six words. Wow that was wild!! Like a Spanish echo! Now they’re waiting for me to rest, our timing’s getting better and I’m learning to listen to the Spirit rather than the translator. Must confess however, the former did allow for quite a bit of comedic relief. Comedy has never been difficult for me, though at times it has been a problem, I’m learning fearfully and wonderfully there’s a whole lot more to preaching and teaching the Word of God.
The new Spanish Bibles which my friend Bob Hoekstra of International Prison Ministries has provided me have really blessed the men as most of the Bibles previously provided to the Chapels of Corcoran by other ministries were New Testament only. I am so very blessed by the support that Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and IPM provide my ministry. On my next trip I’m looking forward to bringing Spanish Study Bibles from Calvary Distribution to assist the inmate Bible Study leaders at Corcoran.
My drive home is always a time of reflection and taking in His Word as I am ministered to by Pastor Chuck, Brian Brodersen & Skip Heitzig on my MP3 player in my truck. Oh the wonders of technology!!
Thank you for your prayerful support of the ministry of Big House Revival.
In Christ,
Paul
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Chino Women’s Correctional Institution May 8th, 2010
Mother’s Day Outreach
Posted by Paul
Back in February I had the pleasure of serving with a ministry team to serve at a Men’s Conference at Centinela Prison in Imperial County due East of San Diego, CA. It was during this weekend that I was invited by Chaplain Ed Welsh of “Jesus Is The Key” Ministries to bring my band out to be part of this special event. Ed had plans for six bands and four speakers to minister at this all day event. As it would later turn out I ended up leading worship with my band as well as playing bass for “The Brothers in Blues”. This would prove to be a full day for me including ministering to some of the inmates and staff during the day.
My band under the name of “Formerly Saul”, consisted of Louis Castellano on keyboards, Will Funderburk on electric guitar, Jack Kramer on drums and myself. We were scheduled to be at the Prison in Corona at 6:30am so we left promptly at 6:25… har, har!! Actually we left at 5:30am, I just wanted to make sure you were still with me J. To make a long story much shorter; We were the second band up and we led worship for 50 minutes, it was a glorious time as we went before Our Lord for this extended time of praise and adoration. The auditorium was transformed by His Spirit. After our time of worship I had the pleasure of ministering to a young woman with Chaplain Ed and leading her in the sinner’s prayer of repentance and acceptance of Christ. For the rest of the day I found myself “floating” from my early morning experience.
Later in the day about 2:30pm, I played with “Brothers in Blues” and it was a rockin’ set that had everyone on their feet. This too was a 50 minute set and helped me work off the pizza we had for lunch. After this set there was an evangelistic message given and then representatives from all the bands came together to lead the congregation in Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace” before ending the outreach.
Apart from my time of leading worship one thing really stuck out in my mind: when the women were asked how many of them where mothers, 90% of them responded in the affirmative. That vision really impacted me in how sad this dramatic response was. Where were their dependant/underage children? Were they with family or were they wards of the state? How desperately our world needs Jesus and yet it’s running away from Him. What will we do to make a difference? Will we do anything? PLEASE lift these women and their families up before the Lord in prayer and ask …. What can I do?
In Christ,
Paul
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April 10, 2010: Picking Up the Pieces at Corcoran …. continued
Posted by Paul Duke
The last two weeks have been quite eventful with my wife Patty’s symptoms flaring back up from her car accident from January of 2009 and all but paralyzing her from extreme pain and nerve disorder. The bulk of this re-occurrence happened while I was serving at Corcoran two weeks ago. By God’s grace the doctor ordered bed rest she has been forced into taking has helped and her symptoms now seem to be somewhat manageable. With this in mind, I’ll be serving this weekend where I believe the Lord is leading which is where I’m most needed for a one day trip to Corcoran, that being Saturday in G Yard. With communion planned as well as a vote including the proposal to make time for our Spanish speaking brethren to utilize some of the already limited chapel time allocated to the Protestant body. Needless to say this is a need which I personally believe is a “no brainer”… make room for our Spanish speaking brothers in Christ. With all that said I’ll move on:
I arrived at Corcoran’s West Gate at 11:00am to pick up my State I.D. which is now being held at the prison according to the new regulations and promptly traveled to the East Gate. After checking in and speaking with the Sergeant in G Yard I went trough the necessary protocols to get the inmates released for Chapel services. I opened Chapel and had a brief meeting with “Deacon” Darrel and we got about the Lord’s business. As it turns out the communication among the Christian body over the last two weeks wasn’t very good and a few of the men were not aware of the upcoming vote. We got through all that with some frustration and put off the vote for two more weeks. All of this has been put into place by the Inmate leadership so as to limit the level of potential discord among the men about how their church would function, I’m not convinced this is the answer but prison life truly is another world… I don’t know what the Lord is preparing me for in the future, but this may be it, only He knows and that’s good enough for me.
In the midst of all this activity and the lack of a place to prepare, AKA an “office” where I can close a door to get alone momentarily like the other yards, I lean on the Lord for final preparations for my first communion service as worship leader/pastor/teacher. After all the commotion regarding the vote we are left with approximately 50 minutes for the service and God moved as He is faithful to do. The service was short but sweet and I was so grateful to be part of it. At the end of the first service we already had men coming in for the second service, as such we were pressed for time with the knowledge of how the first service with it’s meeting – time of worship and communion had gone.
Unfortunately the 2:00 meeting became quite emotional showing the carnal nature of one of the brothers in particular and his ability to stir up a ruckus within the body. The enemy tried his best to cause division but Our Lord prevailed by giving words of loving wisdom to share and the commotion ended peaceably honoring Our Lord. At this point I had about 30 minutes to conduct the second communion service and by His Spirit it was accomplished.
I hope I’ll never forget my first experience of leading these two communion services in G Yard. I was privileged not only to lead worship through song, pray over the elements as well as preach/teach/encourage but to see God’s Hand of Love, Wisdom and Healing move in such a precarious setting. To quote songwriter Phil Wickam; “Your Love is deeper than any ocean, higher than the heavens, reaches beyond the stars in the sky… Jesus Your Love has no bounds” . AMEN!
I am writing this account the day after the events and am still feeling His peace as it washed over the congregation in the Chapel of G Yard at Corcoran Prison on April 10.
He is Faithful! Thank you for your prayerful support of the ministry of Big House Revival.
In Christ,
Paul
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March 27 – 28, 2010: Picking Up the Pieces at Corcoran
Posted by Paul Duke
Since the movement of A & G Yards and the subsequent fracturing of the Body of Christ in those yards, I really never know what to expect when I hit the gates… and so the adventure continues…
I drove up early Saturday morning and opened the Chapel in G Yard to prepare for services at 12:00 noon and 2:00, this schedule depends on when the men are released from their buildings as the staff in G Yard haven’t adapted to their new, low security inmate population in the yard. G Yard was formerly a General Population or “Main Line” Yard and now it’s a “Special Needs” yard. On top of this, With a new policy of rotating the “lock down” of one of the three housing buildings in the Yard daily, it makes calling the men out for Chapel Services a bit more complicated but not impossible, one that I will get used to in time. To further complicate matters the Chaplains assistant, Darrel, has lost his “job” designation since the move from A Yard, thereby increasing the difficulty of organizing communications. Darrel and I met briefly, caught up a bit and considering the lack of time allotted, we got to work.
With that said … After getting the men released for Protestant Chapel Services I walked to the Chapel to find out we’re having a open forum before services to discuss how the men want the church to function with a vote to follow two weeks later.. I remember thinking … Did we talk about this earlier? Was I really listening or just so happy to see Darrel?
We finally begin the services with a comparatively small turnout due to what I thought was confusion but I’m soon to see what’s happening here as the heart of division within the body is showing its ugly face. One member of the congregation in particular was wanting to “go up before the church” to share his “God given gift of music” but had been openly living in a sinful relationship. His choice of life style had kept him from being used and it only became more complicated from that point on. I finally had to step in and bring a Biblical perspective to the near nuclear explosion … the “offended brother” walked out of the meeting and all this before church began! Not exactly the sweet coffee and donut of fellowship… Yes, even Bible believing Christians can easily be divided over what can mistakenly look like their “territory”. Yes, the devil is alive and very active as he manipulates the minds of men.
I have been very blessed by the First Epistle of Peter and the words of unity and love, so that is where I ran to preach. By the Spirit of His Mercy n’ Grace, God’s Word went forth and we were all blessed by the end of the 12:00 noon service in G Yard.
BUT there’s more … and so it started again for the 2:00pm service: My experience with the noon service prepared for what might happen for the second service. Through my many experiences here, I’m understanding more of the dynamics of attempting a democracy in the midst of a society where everyday life choices are controlled by a governing power. It has given me even more reasons to pray for the future of our once great country. We are sadly being directed to become a people who let others, through various forms of media manipulation, do our thinking for us or at least influence what little thinking we do… Through this we are placing ourselves in great peril.
Enough of my commentary; I should simply say the 2pm service had it’s challenging moments but His Word went out touching hearts again and by the end of the day I was at peace with what He had done in G Yard on this day. The Word of God is active and alive. When we are submitted to His plans and willingly step out of His way, rather than getting moved out of His way, we can watch and learn from the inside of what Our Lord will do in the lives of His people.
Please continue to pray for unity among the body of believers at Corcoran Prison. I thank you in advance, for your continued prayers for this ministry.
IN Christ,
Paul
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January 29, 2010: One Step At A Time….
Posted by Paul Duke
After many communications with staff at Corcoran including the Associate Warden who has recently changed several policies for entrance into the Prison, I was on my way to sign a triplicate form at the Personnel Office on Friday afternoon so I could have my State Chaplain I.D. released and return to my ministry in the yards a.s.a.p.
It was my hope to minister over the weekend so I headed north early Friday after the L.A. morning commuter traffic thinned out. My drive was fairly uneventful and I arrived at the Personnel Offices of Corcoran Prison before 3pm. After filing out the required paper work and getting a brief update on new policies, I picked up my 2010 I.D. , drove over to the West Gate to check in and entered my mission field. When I arrived at the inner gate for A & B Yards I was told the Yards were down due to searches and preparations staff were making for a large exchange of inmates between multiple yards within the prison over the upcoming weekend. This news would have a far greater impact than I was prepared for as I wouldn’t be able to have Chapel Services over the weekend and would be restricted from even visiting the men due to security issues.
There is always an element of unpredictability in this ministry: by the time I make my 3 ½ hour drive to Corcoran, the Prisons dynamic can change radically. With the new restrictions due to the finances of the State of California and mandatory staff cutbacks, it only adds to the unpredictable nature of ministry within the system. After speaking with members of the staff and a fellow Volunteer Chaplain and my Brother in Christ, Dave Krumpe, I made the decision to return home and prepare for other potential ministry at my home church in Costa Mesa over the weekend.
Another dynamic within my ministry that is beginning open up is the opportunity to help inmates after they are released to re-enter the world without being caught up in their old patterns. I recently had the pleasure of connecting a parolee with a Calvary Chapel in his new neighborhood where they will love, understand and minister to his needs while holding him accountable as only a loving family can do. I now have the pleasure of hearing from him daily as he shares his joys and struggles with me.
I know in the midst of all this God is mightily at work in my heart as well as the hearts of the inmates, staff and their family members within the SATF community. I am blessed to serve in the capacities of ministry that I do as a Chaplain-Pastor and Worship Leader. It’s my hope to return to Corcoran on February 6th but only God knows what the conditions will be at that time and if the Yards will be open. Please join me in praying for the inmates’ spiritual growth and for the Chapel Services to begin again soon.
In Christ,
Paul Duke
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December 12 & 13, 2009:
Posted by Paul Duke
Because of a lack of communication resulting from Cal State budget cuts, I no longer have a Protestant Chaplain on Staff at Corcoran who I have access to. As such, I was not informed of my need to re-apply all my paperwork, which they already have on file, for my State Chaplains Identification; including arrest record, personal info etc. It was my understanding that I only needed to take an eight hour brush up course on policies, protocol and political correctness to get my 2010 State I.D. This was a monster waiting to bite my ministry in the “rear pocket” which I would only learn of later…..
Saturday morning I drove up early in heavy rain from Los Angeles to Bakersfield where the rain let up and I was in thick fog… Yahoo! All of which slowed the flow of traffic down quite a bit and kept me from my surprise visit to B Yard, they’re in good hands with Chaplain Craig Sanders but I was hoping to say hello Vernon and the boys.
I walked over to A Yard and was greeted by the A Yard crew; we immediately opened the chapel and got to work on His business.
The inmates had planned two a Christmas programs which involved music, drama and the teaching of the Word. I was asked to bring a message for the men and spoke on the Love of God from John‘s Gospel in Chapter 1, and closed the service by leading the men in Worship. As usual in A Yard we had services at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm, both services were well received and the fellowship is growing again since the recent division of the body in A Yard.
Like the Christian Church on the outside of the prison walls, this Church is under attack through division caused by various “Protestant” doctrines. Our enemy comes to rob and destroy by abusing the understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as a point of contention, leading to carnality, prejudice & pride. It is heartbreaking to see this yet through it all God is at work in the hearts and minds of those who attend the Church behind the Walls.
By 3:50 pm the announcement to clear the yard came over the sound system and we closed up the Chapel. I met briefly with Darrel and some of the other leaders and we ended our time of fellowship for now. I packed up and was on the road to my room in Tulare by 4:30.
Sunday, Dec. 13:
I got up early (for a musician) at 5:45 am, did my usual preparation, last minute review, breakfast, load up the truck and hit the road to Corcoran.
We opened the Chapel in G Yard and prepared for the mornings service. Recently both the keyboardists for their worship team have been transferred and so the G Yard Worship Team is going forward as Christian Soldiers do in times like these to worship without instrumental accompaniment. After a brief conversation we decide to have the Worship Team sing four songs, I will then lead on three songs; share the message God has put on my heart from John’s Gospel and close with a time of Worship.
With what I have been experiencing in the Yards, I have been pressed to share on God’s, Love, Grace, Mercy and the price that was paid for Our Salvation, to build these men up to stand strong for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am deeply concerned with the wind that is blowing against the truth of God’s Word, that someday in the near future I may be locked out of my ministry behind these walls unless I too become a inmate.
We closed the service with prayer and a brief time of fellowship. I then drove over to Maximum Security (Yard “C”), to speak with and minister to the Lieutenant of Second Watch as well as visit my chaplains assistant who has been locked down in his cell for the last six months. The unrest in C Yard has forced the prison staff to relinquish the inmates’ privilege of going to chow hall, yard access etc.
I met with Lieutenant Goss before going to the cell block and promptly headed over to see our brother in Christ, Carlos.
I took Carlos some reading material including Chaplain Ray’s, “God’s Prison Gang” and the recent Calvary Chapel Magazine. We had our time of fellowship and prayer through the bars of his cell. As I was praying I asked God to reveal to me how I might minister to the other men in the cellblock of “Charlie” Yard. They have all been locked down for at least six months, some much longer due to gang affiliations etc. and it is impossible to approach them in their cells without being invited or known to them. These blocks or “pods” as I call them have twenty four cells spread out on a two story platform, twelve ion top, twelve on bottom with two inmates per cell. They all overlook a small area with a table, two benches and a shower area. As I looked down I realized this was a mini amphitheatre and with permission from the Warden I might be able to bring my acoustic guitar in to each of these “pods” and minister to the inmates, and staff, by singing Songs of Christmas and letting His praise fill this dark place.
I shared this idea with Carlos and took off to share this with Lieut. Goss. After reaching his office I not only was able to share this idea with the Lieutenant (which by God’s Grace he though was a great idea) but I was also able to share my testimony with him and a member of his staff. Goss said he would fully get behind this idea and speak with the Assistant Warden first thing Monday morning. I was so excited I almost danced out of the prison that afternoon, so looking forward to another opportunity to open the doors to minister to the men of Charlie Yard.
Little did I know of the warfare ahead that would come against this idea …..
Monday Dec. 14:
Spoke with Goss and the Assit. Warden hadn’t come in that day.
Tuesday the 15th, Got up to Corcoran and took my eight hour class. I tried to communicate with the Assist. Warden by dropping by her office, to no avail, left message.
Throughout the week, Lieut. Goss and I tried to get some answers on what I hoped would be a Christmas weekend outreach to “Charlie Yard”, with no response. I was still hopeful and asking many of my church family to pray for this opportunity to open up. The following Monday evening, Dec. 21st, after returning home from serving with the team of “Monday Night” at CCCM, I received an email from staff at Corcoran informing me my paperwork for my State I.D. was not complete. I called first thing Tuesday morning left a message for the lady who sent the email and the dance began for the following week of phone calls to the Staff Offices of Corcoran Prison, which ultimately would end with me not having my new I.D. issued and being “locked out” from my ministry until I receive a new I.D. I’ve been told it will take about two weeks to be re-issued, meanwhile I’ll be praying and serving where called.
Please pray for this ministry, for the prisoners & staff of Corcoran, and wisdom, grace and mercy for yours truly….
In His name,
Paul
Big House Revival
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November 28 & 29, 2009:
Posted by Paul Duke
With the first batch of official winter storms approaching and its impact on the “Grapevine” on Inner State 5 North being a consideration, I was preparing for the worst, checking alternate routs etc. for my trip to Corcoran. With all the info I could gather I left early Saturday morning for my adventure in driving. It was wet through L.A. and freezing on Highway 5 North but by God’s Grace I saw snow on the roadside with very little coming down and was able to push forward northbound without chains. After clearing the threat of snow while descending into the valley outside of Bakersfield, I came upon world class fog that slowed traffic considerably and only began to clear just outside of Corcoran Prison. About 45 minutes earlier I had called in from the road to check on the conditions of the yards and was informed of the lockdown status in A & B Yards due to a weapons search.
Once I cleared the gate, I visited A Yard’s “Deacon Darrel” in building 3, we had fellowship and caught up on some of the issues facing the church there. After my time with Darrel I waited until the Guard’s 2:00 shift change to speak with my friend Lieut. Pepper in A Yard to petition for an impromptu service in the Chapel…. he agreed… bless him Lord as we would have church just after the 2 o’clock shift change. I walked with great haste, you absolutely cannot run in the yards without the risk of being shot, back over to building 3 and gave the good news to Darrel before I prepared the Chapel for service.
We had limited time for our service as the men were assembled about 2:15 and we had until 3:50 before they would be called back to the buildings. As such I prepared to have a time of worship, prayer and to give a brief message to plea for unity within the Body of Christ in the yard. Unfortunately, there has been recent division in the Protestant fellowship over doctrines of the gifting of the Holy Spirit which the enemy has enjoyed using in his quiver of fiery darts. The service was anointed & the message received with gladness by those who attended, only time will tell its effect. We said our goodbyes and I closed up the Chapel by 4:00.
I cleared the gate, walked out to my truck and grabbed a quick meal of trail mix n’ juice and headed over to B Yard to see what opportunities awaited for ministry.
B Yard was down so I headed over to the program office to see if we could have an impromptu worship service in the Chapel. My hopes were met by a friendly staff that made arrangements for the men to be released from their housing to come to church, we had about 80 minutes before the men would be recalled for dinner. Praise God, we’re rolling!
With our limited time, I prepared for a similar program as we had in Yard A. I invited the chapel musicians to join me and we made a Joyful Noise of Praise unto Our Savior and Lord. The message brief as it was received a warm response and the men were returned to their respective buildings for count before dinner. On my driver back to Tulare, the faces of the men kept running through my mind as I prayed for their peace and unity within the Body of Christ at Corcoran.
Sunday November 29:
I did my usual early morning drill of preparation and reached the East Gate by 8:30, opened the Chapel in G Yard and the men began setting up the keyboard and such as I was doing my last minute preparations for the services. The Chapels worship team sang joyfully in the tradition of a small Pentecostal or Southern Baptist congregation and I doubt if anyone out in the yard missed the sound of their worship of the King of Kings!
Continuing to teach through the Book of Romans we were immersed in the richness of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the First Century Church in Rome. I closed the service with a time of worship through song and we had 10 minutes left for prayer and fellowship before the yard was called. I watched the men as they walked back to their buildings and prayed that God would give them the strength they needed to hold on to the joy we’d experienced in our time together with the Lord.
Packing up my guitar, bible and teaching materials I headed to the gate and the drive home.
In Christ,
Paul
Big House Revival
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August 22 – 23, 2009:
Posted by Paul Duke
This started off to be a weekend of ministry like many others but there was another plan in the works. I drove up early Saturday morning on Interstate 5 North/99 North to see the boys in B Yard but on my arrival I was told the guards were conducting an impromptu weapons check in the housing units. The “trickle-down” effect of the inspection in B would also close down A Yard due to the need to send in additional staff from A to support the activity in B Yard. Due to California’s State budget the institution has no back-up support staff so these operations affect the surrounding yard activities.
I walked over to the Lieutenant’s Office in A yard to see what could be done about moving the time for our services. We were planning a Baptism and I knew how important this was to the men and the effectiveness of their ministry in A Yard. The Lieutenant of the watch was supporting the work in B and so I requested that I make rounds to speak with the Chapel leaders in the three housing units of the Yard. My plan was to move the service to that evening at 7:00 when my friend and Brother in Christ, Lieutenant Pepper would be in charge. I made my rounds said hello to the men and made plans to call “Pep” after the changing of the watch at 3:00 p.m. I drove to my room in Tulare to get organized before calling “Pep” at 3:00. When I arrived at the room I started feeling tired and thought I should catch a quick 1 hour nap before making my call to the institution. When I lay down on the bed I started feeling ill, getting chills and began to shake. At the time I thought perhaps it was from the impromptu breakfast burger I ate on my way up Highway 99 in my haste to get to Corcoran.
By 3:00 when I planned to call Lieutenant Pepper my chills and shaking had progressed. I spoke with him and he said it sounded like food poisoning which supported my original assessment of my condition. We agreed that I should stay in bed and rest, unfortunately for the next 16 hours my condition was a roller coaster ride which only worsened. I spent the night crying out to God while sweating & convulsing, not knowing if I would survive the night, let alone be well enough to serve in G Yard the following morning. That service never happened, after waiting as long as I could for some positive progress in my condition, about 8:00 a.m. I called into G Yard’s Program Office to report that I would not be able to open the chapel at 8:30 due to my condition. I asked the Sergeant to please pass along my apologies to the men and that, Lord willing, I would see them in two weeks.
Around 8:30 a.m., by the Grace of God and against the advice of friends and family I was convinced by a peace that only God can give, to get out of the hotel room and get home one rest stop at a time if need be. I was too dizzy to take a shower and so I checked out, got in my truck, rolled down the windows and began driving South on Hwy 99. I began to feel better progressively as I drove and soon I was convinced that what I had experienced was, in fact, an allergic reaction to cleaners or perfumes in the hotel. From this point on I will bring an air purifier and cleaners to prepare my hotel room before settling in. I pray this was one of the lessons He had for me to learn from this weekend. As hard headed as I am, I’m sure there were more …,
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 NKJV
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV
In Christ,
Paul
Big House Revival
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August 1 & 2, 2009:
Posted by Paul Duke
I am so very grateful to the Lord as our ministry schedule is quite busy between “Big House Revival” and the music ministry, had I listened to advice given to me earlier on as a worship leader and began playing guitar 20 years ago the dynamics of my ministry might be quite different these days. It’s funny as electric guitar was the first instrument I really wanted to play, many moons ago, yet I ended up as a “front man” singer and then began playing bass a few years later ….. as they say; you can’t go back. God’s timing is perfect.
Friday evening at 10:30 I called the Program Office for A Yard and was told that everything was a go, we were on a normal program for Saturday. “A” Yard had been under quarantine due to swine flue concerns and the quarantine had been lifted. I knew my “brother in arms” Craig would be serving in B Yard and so I just needed to get to Corcoran in time to open up A Yard at 11:30 a.m.
August 1: I was on the road by 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning and had an uneventful trip over the Grapevine on Highway 5 and on to 99 North. I arrived at the gate for A Yard at 11:15 and was told that A Yard was down due to staff being sent over to assist the guards in B Yard for metal inspections in the buildings. I waited in the Chaplains office and went over my study notes and worship charts until the shift change at 2:30 and spoke with Lieutenant Pepper to request that we have a one hour service at 3:00. “Pep” he approved it and YAHOO…. we were up for church! We had a one hour service, the Lord blessed it and the men asked if I would be willing to have church again at 7:00 p.m. that evening! Again we were blessed to get approval from the Lieutenant and we made plans to have another service at 7 that evening. The word went out in the yard, the Lord moved again and we had a great turn out for church that evening. I was at my room by 10:30 that evening, to sleep ‘bout 12:00 midnight and up at 5:45 Sunday morning to get ready for services in G Yard.
August 2: I hit the gate at G Yard at 8:30 a.m. and prepared to have church. We had a great turnout for the service with standing room only, I led worship through song and we got back into Romans 8. What a blessed time I had with the men, I’m sure I get at least as much out of our services together as they do. God is so good and merciful, I am so very grateful to be used in this way. We ended the service at 10:45 as the men are called back to the buildings by 11:00am. I was at the gate by 11:30 anxious to know if I would be allowed to have service in C Yard at 1:00pm.
Unfortunately C Yard was still locked down because of rioting so I drove home early again. Once I got home I began my preparation for my evening ministry, the joy of leading worship for the After Glow after Pastor Chuck’s Sunday evening teaching service at Calvary Costa Mesa.
All things working together….
In Christ,
Paul
Big House Revival
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July 11 – 13 – 09:
Posted by Paul Duke
This was to be a weekend of some changes: little did I know. I had received an email from Angela Romanello who I have worked with directly as my supervisor at Corcoran since 2008. In this email she announced that she would be leaving her position at Corcoran and going back into the medical profession for financial reasons. My plan was to serve over the weekend in A,B, C and G Yards and meet with Angie in her office on Monday at 9:00 A.M.
Friday evening I called Corcoran and was told that A Yard was under quarantine due to a case of Swine Flu and C Yard (maximum security) was on lockdown due to recent rioting in three of the buildings. It was so painfully obvious that the “heat” had been turned up in “Charlie”, C Yard, through Spiritual Warfare. The church in Charlie Yard had been growing through God’s Grace and the enemy was not pleased with this and had rallied his minions to stir up strife, one of his specialties. I changed my plans and decided to spend extra time in B Yard on Saturday and see what God would do.
Saturday, July 11: On my way up Hwy 99, hoping to go fellowship with the men in B Yard, I called in and was told B Yard was on a limited program for security reasons. So I drove straight to my room in Tulare to rest from my drive and prepare for the following day of ministry in G Yard. I spent the day going over my notes for the Sunday’s sermon and worked on the worship set. Later that evening I was feeling really bad and tried to get a good night’s sleep to no avail. I spent the night getting little rest, up and down with horrific flu like symptoms. I can’t remember the last time I have felt so violently ill.
Sunday, July 12: I wasn’t able to serve at Corcoran due to my unknown illness that would later prove to be allergic reaction to a chemical that had been used for cleaning by the hotel’s staff in my room.
Monday, July 13: Meet with Angie Romanello who had been my supervisor since I began at Corcoran, she was leaving the institution to get back into the medical field. We had a nice meeting, I was able to pray for her and I drove home at 10:00 a.m.
Sometimes we can only hope for God to use us to plant a small seed in a conversation, a smile or some other unknown action we are involved in. This weekend left me with a lot of questions running through my mind for the drive home… Was this time fruitful? Only God really knows as He uses the small things we offer to blossom into other opportunities to glorify Him.
In Christ alone,
Paul
Big House Revival
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June 12–14-09:
Posted by Paul Duke
Pre amble…
Winding up my week as I get ready for my return to Corcoran, I have a full ministry schedule on Thursday which I thrive on; 10:00am, “The Word Among Us” Bible Study with Pastor John Henry Corcoran at Calvary Costa Mesa. Afternoon; Family Day Barbeque at Camp Pendleton with Armor of Light Ministries and back home to Costa Mesa at 5:45 for rehearsal & sound check for The Men’s Study with Pastor Brian Brodersen at 7:00pm. By the time I get to bed I’m pretty well spent, blessed and rest very well.
Looking forward to my weekend I had a special burden as I was running into opposition to the Gospel of Grace by a couple of inmates who were coming into the Chapel in Maximum Security. Needless to say, if you have a problem with God’s Grace, you really have a problem with the Book of Romans which is exactly where I have been teaching. We’re in Romans 8 and I find it interesting that in a place like prison where, quite obviously there are people who’ve had a problem keeping the law, not totally unlike the rest of us, the self righteousness of legalism would even exist… But that as they say is another story..
June 12. I drove up to Corcoran on Friday afternoon to meet with my supervisor and event coordinator, Angie Romanello. It would be my only opportunity to speak with her as she has been by her mother’s side, for the last week, battling cancer. I was in her office by 3:15 and we had a very productive meeting catching up on the progress of “The Church behind the Walls”, as well as upcoming Yard Events and the hopeful new volunteer recruits I’ve been submitting to serve in the ministry there. For some reason the State of California’s qualifications to serve within the Department of Corrections have become even more stringent in the last month thereby disqualifying several of my volunteers who are currently serving at other institutions. To make matters more difficult it looks as if the hopes of Corcoran having the budget to hire a full time Protestant Chaplain in the four yards I serve to be dwindling fast. The budget issues combined with the new volunteer prequalifications call me to trust even more in the Lord.
For Saturday morning I had agreed to chaperone a six man team into A Yard from “The Little Church in the Pines” from Bass Lake near Yosemite National Park. We had scheduled a Communion service and I was looking forward to how God would move through these services. Staying over on Friday night as opposed to driving up Saturday morning would allow me to be much more rested and that would be a welcomed change. I had offered to bring up Matsa Crackers for Communion and planned on picking them up fresh Friday evening in Tulare, boy was I mistaken. I called around and drove around Tulare trying to find a major market or small food store that might have Kosher food. After an hour and a half I gave up and called my brother in ministry, Craig Saunders in Fresno. Fortunately he knew right where to go and I would pick it up from him in the morning in B Yard before meeting the Bass Lake Boys at Gate 5. Apparently there’s a calling for Kosher food in Fresno.. Another one of those live and learn situations.
Saturday, June 13. I got to sleep in this morning ‘til 6:30, spent time in the Word, worked on some worship songs, got some breakfast and headed out to Corcoran. I connected with Craig in B Yard and met the Bass Lake Boys as planned, at Gate 5. Between the time it took to go through the check in procedure and moving slower than I’m used to with the gang in tow, took an extra 20 minutes to get to A Yard. We opened the Chapel just before noon and the A Yard team got to work. It was a very special afternoon as the Bass Lake Boys and the Brothers of A Yard ministered together. It never ceases to amaze me to see how the Body of Christ can serve together regardless of the environment. The keyword here is CAN, unfortunately it’s not always the case but when the Spirit is movin’ and groovin’… LOOK OUT! The Worship, Prayer time, Word of Life, and Communion where filled with His Spirit. What a privilege it is to be a part of this ministry, both the men who came from the outside and the men who will stay in the yard long after we’re gone will be forever changed by experiences like this. The Pastor of “The Little Church in the Pines”, Tracy brought a message of Love and Challenge for all of us, one that I pray will not be forgotten soon.
We cleared A Yard by 4:15 and headed out for a quick dinner and fellowship before the Bass Lake Boys headed home. Praise God for the blessing of the Body of Christ! I was up later than usual with the events of the day buzzing through my head and my desire to share the message of His Grace the next day in G & C Yards. The lights were out by 11:30 and I set my alarm for 4:30am.
Sunday, June 14. My mobile phone’s alarm got me up promptly at 4:30 and I jumped in the shower to wake up. After waking up I began brushing up on my notes for the morning’s message and organizing the songs of worship we would be singing to the Lord on this beautiful day. I had a good breakfast but was somewhat distracted by the cable T.V. monitors that are strategically mounted around the room where breakfast is available. MSN’s bent on our world can either cause me major frustration or drive me to the One who has written The Book of Life, who is the Beginning and Ending of all things. I choose the later, quickly finished my breakfast and walked with great haste back to my room and solitude. I was packed and in the Tahoe rolling South on Highway 99 by 8:15. I was through the prison gates and to the Chapel in G Yard by 9:00am, as always I was warmly greeted by my brothers in Christ in G Yard.
The personality of the Church Body in G Yard has a definite Pentecostal leaning, more verbose vocally in their worship through song as well as in their response to the Word of God as it is taught. I find I need to watch myself so that I too don’t get too carried away in the excitement and become a distraction.
We opened up the service with prayer, announcements and the reading of the Word. Then the Chapel’s worship team led the congregation through four songs and I led on three with the help of their keyboardist before diving back into our in depth study of Romans 8. Looking on the faces of these men as His Message of Grace pours out over them is truly something to behold. As I look out at the faces of these men I’m moved by the response and varying degrees of intensity as they receive or ponder, this great chapter of God’s message through Paul. After our study we closed out the service as I offered up three songs of worship and a closing prayer. What a privilege it is to be called to this ministry. Our time of worship through His Word and song is over by 11:10 which gives us 15 minutes for fellowship and to clean up the chapel before the men are called back to their buildings. By 11:45am I’m locking up the chapel and heading out for a quick sandwich before my service in C Yard.
As usual I drove to downtown Corcoran for a quick rest in an air conditioned “Subway” shop and enjoy my green tea and overstuffed sandwich. This areas weather can be quite repressive with it’s combinations of variables; it truly makes me appreciate where I am blessed to call home (for such a time as this). Only God knows our future and I am reminded to be so very grateful for what I have.
I’m able to eat half my sandwich and by 12:15 decide to finish it off when I get to the Chapel in C Yard. This was I can ask the guards to announce chapel to the buildings that are clear to allow their inhabitants to attend chapel while I finish off my lunch and contemplate the last minute preparations for our service. I’m at the main gate at Corcoran Prison by 12:35 and in C Yard by 12:50. After making the announcements, finishing off lunch and setting up the Chapel’s main sanctuary, the men begin to come into Chapel by 1:30. It ends up taking until 2:00 before all the men are in attendance giving the early arrivals more time for fellowship which I am always happy to entertain. There are two new inmates who have come and I am so blessed to see how God is adding to this body. My first service in C Yard in January, 09 was attended by 8 inmates, by God’s Grace we’re now up to 25 in attendance.
I open up the service with prayer and then we begin our time of worship through song. After five songs of worship we begin our study in Romans 8. As I have mentioned earlier, there is some resistance in this Chapel to the Power of the Grace of God by a couple of attendees whose faith is works based, the Book of Romans had been an uphill battle with these two individuals. I shared the message and midway through I repeatedly saw a hand raised by one of these two gentlemen and as I often do in what can be somewhat of a classroom experience I acknowledged his question. He immediately said to me; “what about Lot?” He and I had this conversation a week earlier and I almost laughed in disbelief at his attempt to take control of the message by sending me off on a “Rabbit Trail”, but this apparently will be a part of my ministry with this individual. I responded to his question as respectfully as I could by reiterating my response the week earlier and put us back on course by adding: ”we discussed this last week, it has nothing to do with today’s message and we are done with it”… (for now) This response met with approval from the other inmates who were being blessed by God’s Word and wanted to hear the message. We continued with the message and closed the message with prayer and 3 more songs of worship. During our fellowship time afterward I followed up on the “Lot” question elaborating again on God’s Grace in the fact that Lot had become too familiar with the world by moving into the City of Sodom and Gomorrah, so much so that he even became a judge at the city gates. He even tried to appease the perverted crowd by offering them his own daughter. Enough said of that. We ended our time with prayer.
The guards came for the men at 3:30pm, they were on their way back to the buildings and shortly after cleaning up, I was on my way to the main gate and by 4:15, to my drive home.
The drive home always offers a great time of reflection of the ministry opportunities at Corcoran, I had plenty to think about and to be so grateful for.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful support of this ministry.
In Christ,
Paul
Big House Revival
Sample Music
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