No, not as an offender...I went to minister the gospel. The effect it had was powerful.
You see, my cousin is in jail and awaiting trial, and for that reason, I can't say any more about his case. He's been there for three weeks now, and I just had to go see him. I've spent one day in jail in my life, and remember how time slowed to a crawl.
I had to go as clergy, since I'm not on the "approved visitor" list. We had only an hour to visit, and we spent about 40 minutes talking about how he's doing, things to help him out, his young children, etc. Then I said, "I suppose I should say something religious, since I'm here as clergy."
I've know my cousin since he was born, but I've never seen him sad until today. He fought back tears as we talked earlier about physical things, but it was a losing battle when the spiritual came out. I told him about God's unfailing love. About God's perfect plan. About how God created us with weak, carnal hearts as part of that plan, and what that means for us. And, about how we can burn now, or burn later, in His refining fire.
It was the simple message, the true message. The one we all understand here, but so few can see it. I don't think that HE can see it, yet, but the Good News clearly struck home. It gave comfort and hope, I know.
My brothers and sisters, take joy in the midst of all our sorrow in this world. And praise God, who loves all mankind, and is faithful, able, and willing to save us all. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
Steve