Mark 5:18-20 provides an example of how conversion leads to mission. After freeing a man from demonic oppression, Jesus began to leave the area by boat, but he was intercepted with a special request:
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
Jesus understood that this man’s testimony of radical deliverance would have the greatest impact among those who knew him the most. Rather than avoid facing his family members, neighbors, and friends, Jesus directed the former tomb-dwelling madman to show them all that Jesus had done for him.
Daniel shares his testimony to his old cellmates in Filipino jail.
A similar story comes from our partners in the Philippines. A young man named Daniel Del Rosario was in jail when he first met Pastor Jonnel and the other CLI volunteers. He accepted Christ through their preaching and began developing a personal relationship with the ministers. Since his release from jail, Daniel has committed to go with Jonnel and the team to minister in the jails.
Recently he made his first trip back to the jail where he was previously locked up, Daniel shared his testimony to the inmates that he’d been incarcerated with for several months. In addition to Daniel, there are now a few former inmates attending Jonnel’s church. CLI Prison Alliance is committed to making disciples like Daniel by proclaiming the gospel in jails and following up with personal discipleship.
