Tu Revista Latina Magazine

Setting the Captives Free

Many men and women today lead what has been called, “lives of quiet desperation.”¹ They are anxious, fearful and above all frustrated by failure. This failure has taken some to the brink of death, others to the pinnacle of despair and sometimes, the choices one makes leads to the consequence of public imprisonment.

In this confined life, prisoners have no choice but to wait for something to fill the void of 
all the pleasures that brought them temporary comfort. It is often at this final point of despair that one finds true consolation in God.

The prodigal son has stood for centuries as the supreme example of this scenario. It is the story of a son that took his inheritance, abandoned his family obligations and became drunk with the pleasures of life. It was only after losing all he had and finding himself in the depths of misery that he came to his senses and found redemption in his father’s forgiveness.²

Yet, who is willing to do the same for the imprisoned today? Who will preach the good news and lead the captives to the mercy of God? 

The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry has recognized this great need and answered the call in our local community. The ministry had its beginnings in the old detention center off Amador. The center was looking for an individual with experience and found Pastor David Beam. David spent 21 years working as a missionary in Mexico where he held Bible studies for those in prison. 

A short while after settling in Las Cruces he received a call from Deborah Lopez the social worker at the old detention center.  She invited him to work with her on making a plan for the opening of the new building. This involved organizing and restructuring the ministry in order to prepare for an expansion from servicing 120 to over 900 inmates.  

This was the beginning of what is now 15 years of ministry service in the new detention center off Copper Loop. Chaplain Beam is assisted by Bill Stickles and works with 41 volunteers to hold 25 religious classes per week. The sessions range from studying books of the Bible to the viewing of Christian movies or dramas that represent different stories from Scripture.  

There are about 300 inmates that take advantage of this program and the effect upon the participants is miraculous.  According to Pastor Beam, one official of the prison bureau believed the religious programs affected the greatest reform among the prisoners. 

“We believe there is a spiritual heart issue at stake here,” states Beam, “the person needs to change from the inside out not just change his head knowledge. The only way to change the heart from the inside out is in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

“We’ve seen the effects,” continued Beam. “And have been approached by former inmates around town that thank us for the classes. They’ve truly assisted them in becoming industrious citizens.” 

In spite of the success, Pastor Beam recognizes how difficult reform can be.  “We’ve had about 35% of our inmates make a commitment to Christ only to relapse into their former behavior,” Beam expressed, “but we have a God of second chances and our responsibility is never to judge. We must continue to preach the Gospel.”

This ministry itself takes a sincere commitment by those involved. Volunteers dedicate one to three hours a week facilitating classes while Pastor Beam and Stickles dedicate 20 to 50 hours a week overseeing the program. 

This is without the benefit of local or state money. The ministry will not accept tax dollars to support their cause as they do not wish to financially burden the county.  Funding for the programs is maintained through the generosity of churches, businesses, and individual donors. 

Some reformed inmates have come back to the ministry and desire to volunteer their time. This is acceptable after a probationary period where the former inmate is accessed on their rehabilitation. When they first get out they are interested, but often forget.  There are still others who have returned to minister to inmates and many who do not return but their lives have turned around going to church, raising families, etc.

Anyone wishing to begin in the ministry can contact Chaplain Beam at the Las Cruces Detention Center. New initiates will participate in an interview process and a training to help orientate them to the program.  

Donations are also highly welcomed and there is a great need in the ministry for English and especially Spanish Bibles. If you are considering this ministry, but find yourself reluctant due to the uncertainty of working with those confined, you will find comfort in the assurance of the Lord’s Words. 

At the end of the world, he will divide the people and say to those on his right:

“Come, my Father has given you his blessing. Receive the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world was made. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me.

I was in prison, and you visited me…

I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.”³

1 This is what Henry David Thoreau observed in his work, “Walden.” 
2 Luke 15:11-32
3 Matthew 25:31-46

Summer 2011