On August 30th, a remarkable event took place at the Butler County Jail, bringing to life the Bible verse that speaks of God working in mysterious ways. It was on this day that 28 male and female inmates made the decision to accept Christ as their savior and were baptized by Reverend Wiley Thornton III from the Perfecting Holiness Nondenominational Church (PHNC). This incredible display of faith and redemption serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God’s love and the potential for positive change in even the most unlikely of places.
According to Thornton, it was a life-threatening illness that led him to a profound realization, sparking his passion to help others establish a meaningful connection with Jesus.
Thornton shared that he faced a series of severe health complications in March, including double pneumonia, sepsis, kidney and heart failure, and three bouts of Covid-19. After being hospitalized for almost two months, he credits his recovery to divine intervention. This experience motivated him to dedicate his life to ministry and give back to his community. Thornton now participates in jailhouse ministry and actively seeks opportunities to express his gratitude to God through service.
According to Thornton, his visits to the jail are driven by two main goals. Firstly, he aims to help the inmates find their way to the Lord. Secondly, he seeks to equip them with the knowledge and wisdom necessary to avoid ending up back in jail. As he pointed out, sharing his own personal experiences and struggles helps him connect with the inmates on a deeper level.
Thornton believes that many of the individuals he taught the Gospel to were motivated by the realization that what God did for him, He could do for them too. According to him, God can do the impossible, and he offered salvation to these individuals who accepted and were eager to get baptized. Thornton thinks that the decision to accept God might have been made after realizing that God had not given up on them.
Since 2015, Inett Jackson, a devout evangelist, a member of the PHNC, and the Director of His Hands and Feet transition house for women, has been dedicated to serving the female inmates through her jailhouse ministry. She conducts Bible study sessions and provides a listening ear to the women, understanding their hearts and concerns.
Jackson aims to aid inmates in their transformation journey, enabling them to become valuable members of society. He believes that God can reach anyone, regardless of their present circumstances. He understands the struggles of being incarcerated and acknowledges that true freedom can be found within oneself. Jackson’s dedication to this cause stems from his personal experience. Having been incarcerated himself, he once questioned God’s plan for him. However, his perspective changed when a group of church ladies shared Jeremiah 29:11 with him, which led to a transformative experience that changed his life forever.
According to Jackson, the inmates are displaying an enthusiastic energy since their baptism. She noted that there is a general sense of serenity among them, which is noticeable and quite palpable.
According to Thornton, he visits the facility on a weekly basis. However, due to the high number of inmates, he may not be able to see the same group of men for up to a month. He is appealing to any other church or minister who feels called to join the weekly jail ministry efforts and help provide the inmates with the attention and care they require. Additionally, there is a need for donated Bibles, and if you would like to contribute, you can contact 334-322-6804.
According to Jackson, her current efforts involve assembling monthly care packages for those in need within the indigent community. These packages are filled with essential items such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and undergarments. She is appealing to anyone who is willing to contribute to this noble cause to reach out to her at 334-662-7606.
Thornton is looking forward to initiating a Fatherhood Training program for inmates who have completed their sentence. He expressed his gratitude and admiration for the local District Attorney’s Office, which is fully committed to assisting inmates in their recovery and rehabilitation process.
The Greenville Advocate recently reported on an incredible event at the Butler County jail – a total of 28 inmates were baptized in a powerful display of faith. The ceremony was truly miraculous, and it’s a testament to the strength of these individuals’ beliefs that they were able to find hope and redemption even in the midst of incarceration. The Greenville Advocate is proud to share this story with our readers, and we hope that it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the importance of community in even the most challenging of circumstances.
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