Written by Lauren Bucher
Eight students from the Harding Chorus sang hymns during a performance at the White County Jial on Jan. 24. But instead of listening from comfortable auditorium seats, inmates at the White County Jail listened through small holes in the doors of their cells, requesting classic hymns like “Precious Memories,” “Amazing Grace” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”
“Jesus commanded us to go and preach the gospel to everyone,” Jeff Montgomery, the jail’s chaplain, said. “The chorus members are at the jail preaching the gospel using the medium of music.”Montgomery said that inmates often request the older songs because it reminds them of going to church with their grandparents in a happier time.”A few inmates jeered at us, but for the most part, they were glad to hear us and asked us to sing louder so they could hear better in their rooms …” junior Matt Parks said. “They closed their eyes, listening to the hymns we sang, and I don’t know what they were thinking, but I think maybe they were imagining a day in a church in freedom.”Inmates especially need to hear the message of Jesus. Incarceration often is the lowest point in their lives, and many are asking questions and searching for truth, Montgomery said. Roughly 40 percent of inmates are involved in ministries at White County Jail.College students can be very influential in jail ministry. The ministry’s success depends on the quality of the relationships formed. College students can identify more easily with younger inmates and come off as less judgmental, Montgomery said.Singing groups stopped coming frequently when the new jail was made because slots in the cell doors replaced mesh screens over the windows. Now, the prisoners cannot see or hear the singers as easily. The chaplains wanted a regular rotation of singers. Jeff Henig, the assistant chaplain, contacted Dr. Cliff Ganus, the director of Harding Chorus, about a small group from chorus coming. Many chorus members expressed interest.”I was excited to go because I don’t do enough service to the community, and faith without works is dead,” Parks said. We all wanted to get out of our safe bunkers and get on the battlefield.”The chorus is an addition to thriving ministries at the jail. There are regular church services and Bible lessons for inmates to do during the week. They can also meet with a minister one-on-one or fill out prayer cards and turn them into College Church’s prayer ministry.The chorus plans to have groups go on a twice a month rotation on Tuesday night, Montgomery said.”I hope we had a lasting impact on the prisoners and that they find comfort in a church after they get out,” Parks said.Jesus taught that Christians need to go preach to everyone, especially people at the margins of society. The chorus members are glorifying God by using their talents to comfort and encourage others. This ministry brings the message of Jesus to inmates so that they can find comfort in it and continue to hold on to it when they are released.
