Bringing Hope to Incarcerated Youth

A unique opportunity popped up during our east coast tour as we passed through our nations capitol.  A friend of ours who used to be a youth pastor at our home church in MN is now a pastor at McLean Bible Church in Virginia who oversees all global and local outreaches .  Every other week they have a team of volunteers who share the love of Jesus with students at a Youth Detention Center in Washington D.C.  Our pastor friend invited us to join them on Saturday, October 17th to do a UniShow presentation for the students at the Center.  

After compiling a detailed list of all the equipment we wanted to bring into the facility for the show, we didn't know what to expect or how difficult it would be to get in and set up.  We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by an early arriving church volunteer and very friendly and helpful staff at the Center who helped us take our equipment from the loading dock, through 8 security doors, half of which could only be released by unseen guards in a control center somewhere.  With help, we creatively angled our ramps and stairs to fit into the small elevator with only inches to spare, and finally into the gymnasium.  Some of the staff even prayed with us and the chaplain before the show. 

When we arrived we were told that only 5 students would be allowed to come to our event because of recent fights, among other things.  We were praying for the opportunity to share with more and were excited when 25 students were allowed to attend by the time we began.  

The performance area was flanked with guards to ensure things stayed under control.  The kids were great and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show.  I wish we could have taken pictures of their enthusiastic responses.  They listened attentively to Dustin powerfully present the Gospel and lead them in a prayer of surrender to Jesus.  We pray this marks a turning point in their lives.  

After the presentation, the McLean team provided pizza and cake for the kids.  Dustin had personal conversations as he ate with the guys and Katie talked and prayed with the only girl who had been allowed to attend.  It is wonderful to know there are local believers who are regularly sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus with them.  We are grateful for this opportunity and hope to seize our invitation to return in the future.