'TORONTO BLESSING' BREAKS OUT IN UK PRISON
Chaplains say hundreds of criminals are converting
Prison chaplains in England are reporting a revival of Christianity and the occurrence of the Toronto Blessing among inmates.
Hundreds of criminals serving time have turned to Christ and repented of their crimes. Others. with almost no knowledge of Christianity, have experienced the Toronto Blessing, falling to the floor and weeping after Bible study and prayer.
The Rev David Powe, chaplain at HM Prison Lewes, claims to have led 261 inmates to Christ since he started as the chaplain there. Two or three of the 25 remand prisoners who pass through each day respond positively when he asks: Do you want Christ?
Inmates usually say yes immediately. Because of their criminal backgrounds. the process of repentance is more startling than normal. Mr Powe recalls: "One man wrote to everyone he had burgled and said he was sorry. Another wrote to an old lady he had mugged and said he would pay her back when he could."
In Exeter prison. the Rev Bill Birdwood has been experiencing similar successes. At a Bible study group last year a number of criminals, some with convictions for violent or sexual crimes, experienced the strange phenomena sweeping through British churches.
"After the first meeting we waited on God for about 10 minutes," said Mr Birdwood. "lt was very low-key but people were experiencing the touch of the Holy Spirit as a heat and gentle presence upon them." Inmates at subsequent meetings were prayed for, fell on the floor and wept. An Alpha course was held at the prison. and many of the students have joined churches since being released from prison.
Because prisoners often move from one establishment to another, it is hoped the prison revival will spread to all four comers of the country. "We feel that God is saying there will be a revival in the nation's prisons," said Mr Birdwood. "This is happening in other prisons and God has said that it will spread to them all through the inmates. Our vision is that people in prisons are going to come to Christ in their droves."
The Prison Fellowship, whose members undertake prison visiting, is excited by the revival but stresses the importance of continued prayer. "This is absolutely tremendous and we praise God for it." said Mr Peter Walker, the director. "It is an answer to prayer, not just of the Prison Fellowship but of other brothers and sisters in Christ. This is where prison support groups come in. We have to help the chaplains nurture these baby Christians."
Whether or not the events do comprise a genuine revival. Mr Birdwood remains realistic. "We've had waves pouring over us but we're still in the shallows," he said. "Yet when the 1990s are written of as the prelude to revival, the prisons will be mentioned as part of it."
From "The Church of England Newspaper", Friday May 26, 1995. Copyright acknowledged.
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