"I was in prison, and you came to me..."
24 April 2012
This year the words "Christ is risen!" became a reality in the lives of many of those who are temporarily confined to a prison or a detention institution. In order the prisoners could experience the Resurrection of Christ in their hearts; "The Gospel Mercy" Mission of in the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church held fifty festive events (concerts) in jails of the fifteen regions of Ukraine.
Each concert was conducted with the active participation of local churches, and many church ministers came that day to serve those who for of different reasons ended up in difficult life circumstances. Gifts and presents were brought to and distributed in all of the prisons - greeting cards and food products.
A unique Easter event was held this year in cooperation with the administration of Mariupol correctional center № 138. More than one hundred and fifty prisoners were able to celebrate Easter outside the penitentiary visiting a festive Easter service at the "Word Life" church in Mariupol. As a result of the outreach about sixty of them turned their lives to God.
Bishop Viktor Lobodenko, the Head of “The Gospel Mercy”, gave an inspiring sermon and at the end of the service all the visitors were invited to join the Easter reception to enjoy food and to fellowship with the church members.
