"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion the child she has borne/  though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me, " (Isaiah 49:15-16)

As I walk across the yard at High Desert State Prison in Susanville California, I see the faces.  Some of them I've seen before.  Some of them are new to me.  some of them have been hardened by years of prison life, and some of them I watch as the tears well up in their eyes when I smile and ask them how they are doing. Many of these men have all but been forgotten by society, as well as friends and family. 

I was shocked to find out recently that out of  5000+ inmates at H.D.S.P., 60% of them are doing life sentences. The view from inside the prison walls is the only view many of them will ever see for the rest or their lives.  

I have been a volunteer chaplain at High Desert Prison since October 2001, and also at the Shasta County Jail in Redding California, about six months before that.

When I felt God's call to do jail and prison ministry , I wasn't sure what to expect. I had spent a few months in jail myself and I remember how blessed I was when someone would come in and conduct church services. I remember when I got out of jail, I swore I would never set foot in there or any other jail again. God had other plans. Now, once a week I am blessed to minister in the same classrooms in the county jail where I sat as an inmate over four years ago. 

The majority of the men I minister to at the jail are on their way to prison for a while, some for life. They are known as the bad boys, the repeat offenders.  Many of them are no strangers to prison life. I have been blessed to be able to follow them from jail to the prison. I have seen God change the most hardened hearts.

Ezekiel 11:19 says, " I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh."  I see the smile come across their faces when I walk onto the yard at the prison, dressed in motorcycle leathers, with bible in hand. I know it's not me they see, but Jesus who is in me. And they know that God has not forgot them.

I am very thankful for River City Church and all who have sewn into this ministry, both financially and prayerfully. Because, without both, I would not be able to make the nearly 250 mile round trip every other week.

I know that Satan does not like me doing what I do, and he has done his very best to discourage me. But just about the time I've thought about quitting, someone will walk up to me on the street, in a restaurant, or at a gas station, and say: "I remember you from High Desert. Thank you!" I extend their thank you to my church family, who have such a heart for the lost, because wherever I go you go with me.

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or need clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?"

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)

And last, but certainly not least, a very special Thank You to my wife Kim, who, whether I’m ministering to bikers, or at the jail or prison, always stands beside me, always encourages me, and constantly prays for me. I could not do any of this without your support. I LOVE YOU! ! !

If you have any questions or comments, you may contact me through River City Church.

 Mike Harmon

 Prison Ministry

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