“For the first time, my parents have finally gotten a glimpse of the man I am through the eyes of you guys and that means so much to me. You have no idea – oh they know that I changed, that I talk different, act different. But somewhere in there was a seed of doubt but I believe GOD has erased all doubts yesterday.”
This is an excerpt of an email I received from my good friend Brother Abe from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Over the last two years, Abe and I have developed a friendship and recently I was able to meet his family and hear more of his story. He has been taking TUMI classes the past 3 years and the Lord is using him in a powerful way.
In December World Impact Wichita hosted an event called Christmas Connections at Morning Star Ranch. Our desire was to connect with the families of the TUMI students from Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Abe’s family was one of the families that came, and throughout the weekend I was able to hear from his parents their side of Abe’s story.
Abe’s father shared with me how his other son – Abe’s brother – was shot and killed in 1993. This devastated the family and left Abe angry and bitter. A couple weeks after his brother’s death, Abe committed the crime that imprisoned him. Even though Abe was only 17 at the time, he was charged as an adult and given a long sentence. I will never forget Abe’s dad expressing with a heavy heart how he lacked the money for a good lawyer, and how in that one month, he lost two sons.
During his first years in prison, Abe was angry and bitter and rejected anything to do with God. But God pursued him and Abe finally surrendered his life to Jesus. By God’s grace, Abe was able to receive complete forgiveness and also forgive those who had hurt him throughout his life. He has continued in discipleship for many years throughout his prison sentence, and now after taking TUMI classes and being trained as a pastor he has a clear call to pastor and minister.
After listening to Abe’s father share his story, I was able to tell his parents about the potential we see in Abe – how we see him growing to be an amazing man of God who will be a part of His Kingdom growing in the city. We also shared the vision of World Impact, TUMI, and how Abe is a part of what God is doing all over our country. He is 1 of 1,400 inmates taking TUMI classes and studying to be a leader.
“My dad for the first time that I can ever remember told me that he was proud of me. I never heard those words cross his lips.”
Abe’s story is one of many across our country where God is bringing reconciliation among inmates and their families. Continue to pray for our inmates and their families – pray as these men grow in their walk with Jesus that the Gospel would reach the families and bring deep healing in their relationships.
Read more from Matthew Penner or learn more about TUMI.
