Russell Wilson, Ciara Lead Worship for Prison Ministry: ‘His Grace and Spirit Is Overwhelming’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Over 300 incarcerated men joined in worship and prayer when NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara visited a maximum security prison last week.
Working with The God Behind Bars ministry, Russell shared the Gospel and prayed and Ciara sang at the Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, Florida.
“27 incarcerated men gave their lives to Jesus inside of a maximum security prison,” The God Behind Bars ministry posted on Instagram after the event, “300 incarcerated men filled the prison chapel to hear a word from [Russell Wilson].”
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“He opened the night in Isaiah, ‘Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19. That is exactly what Jesus did in the prison. After this moment, the prison chapel began to erupt in worship and praise. The voices of the incarcerated were so loud, it felt like it could be heard by the entire prison,” the post continued.
“In a place so easily filled with so much division, there was a moment where incarcerated men put their arms around each other and prayed for those struggling with anxiety and depression,” the ministry added.
“After [Ciara] sang ‘Way Maker,’ man came to the front and wept, giving their lives to Jesus. Many of these men are serving life sentences in prison, but now they will be spending LIFE with Jesus. It is hard to put words into what happened but it was a night of UNITY, PRAISE, and SALVATION! We will never be the same! God is bringing revival to prisons! Jesus is doing a NEW THING,” the post concluded.
The God Behind Bars ministry shared another post later, showing the powerful moment an incarcerated man led the room in worship.
Russell Wilson also posted about the event, writing, “Lord there’s nothing better than YOU!!! Over 300 Maximum Prison Inmates worshipping Jesus! His Grace and Spirit is overwhelming in the midst of mistakes He still loves and forgives.”
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him,” Wilson added, quoting John 3:17.
The God Behind Bars ministry has worked to bring the Gospel to incarcerated men since 2009, restoring lives by building faith. The ministry currently has 15 prison church campuses in 15 different states.
The ministry is seeing a revival within prisons, baptizing more than 450 inmates last year, more than quadrupling the 90 inmates baptized in 2021.
Along with growing their faith, The God Behind Bars ministry helps inmates return to society by helping them find jobs, housing and education opportunities. The ministry also reconnects inmates with family and friends through the support of volunteers from local churches.
God Behind Bars has also created the first Christian app available to prisoners that streams sermons, worship music, and God’s Word.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
