Jailhouse Interview #4

Jailhouse Interview #4 With Christian Prisoner John Reyes
In the Lynchburg City Jail
By The Rev. R. E. Knodel, Jr.
Orthodox Presbyterian Pastor, Lynchburg
9/21/99

Greetings to our faithful readers, in the name of the Lord. When I went in to see John in his third week of incarceration, he was a little bit weary. It appears that the noise of the jail, and the nearly constant light, was inhibiting his sleep. But within minutes of talking to me about the Lord and His mercies, the old John Reyes' sparkle was back. God was not done in the Lynchburg City Jail.

God has blessed John with an abiding love for people, even sinful people. Such love is one of the great themes of the Bible. In First Corinthians 13 it teaches that love for God must be our supreme love; and that this manifests itself in our love for our fellow man. Despite man's fallenness, the God-created-image in man can still be seen. It has been defaced. But it cannot be destroyed! For the Christian to have a patient, deeply committed, redemptive love for such men, practically shouts from the rooftops: "This is God's love, wrought out in me, by His Supreme Grace!"

This is the kind of love I have seen in John, as he has spent himself for these forlorn creatures, his fellow-prisoners, in the Lynchburg City Jail. When Matt, a just-released-prisoner, attended out church two weeks ago, this was his theme. He said that while he felt other people endured him, that John listened to him with real interest.

Not only is John conducting a Bible study every night at 7:00 p.m., he has also given each of the new Christian inmates an hour each week for private discipling. They can seek him out and know that for that hour there will be no interruptions. Even though John is interested in all, he shows them specific, special interest, in their individual lives. In these times they can talk to John about personal problems and challenges which might otherwise prove too personal or embarrassing. In this, John is simply following the model of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he gave time to the twelve, and to Peter and James and John. John Reyes told me that these men have never had that kind of attention, especially from someone who had some of God's discernment! Seven of the men have availed themselves of these discipleship classes.

Most exciting for me was John's news that those who have confessed Christ are starting to make that confession to their fellow inmates! Holy Spirit geometry is alive and at work. One testifying believer, the-convicted-Christian-John Reyes, has become seven testifying believers, in a little over two weeks!

I noted in the 3rd "Jailhouse Interview" that "Homicide" had given his testimony in response to John's request. In order to set that in his mind, John asked him to write something down on paper. Most of these men are not gifted in such expression, but Glen "Homicide" Thompson submitted the following, and John tells me there is more to come!

The Testimony of Glen "Homicide" Thompson, a fellow inmate with John Reyes, at the Lynchburg City Jail. Written during the week of September 19th, 1999. (Some slight editing was done, for clarity and meaning.)

My name is Glen Thompson, and something very special happened to me on the day of September 12, 1999. This was my day of salvation!

Under the circumstances of what was about to happen to me, I was totally unprepared. But I was open to the challenge that awaited me. It is now September 21, and I don't regret a thing! The feeling (of being forgiven) is unimaginable, if you haven't been touched by the Lord.

Unfortunately, about five years ago, I didn't know that Love. I was selling drugs, robbing and stealing, and didn't want to be within five feet of anyone preaching the Word of the Lord! I was labeled (i.e., my street name was) "Homicide." (Rest assured though that I had not killed anyone, nor did I have any intentions of that.) But I was really messed up.

But now I have the Lord in my life, and it's the best feeling in the world. It feels (i.e., compared to my past tension-filled life) like (the relaxation of) a full-body massage! Believe it, for me, that is new!

Last but certainly not least, I'd like to thank the man who made it possible, John Reyes. Without John I'd be lost in the storm. I thank you John. May God bless you, and may you continue to shine in your friend's eyes, and in the Lord's eyes. God bless you John Reyes!

Continue to pray for this mercy of God. He continues to use the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. Pray for John's safety, but pray most for Christ's church as it is resurrected from the ashes of the Lynchburg City Jail.