God Things are Happening at the Greenup County Jail
Sonya Newman
The Ashland Beacon
Every week the Greenup County Jail plays host to multiple visitors on a mission. That clear mission is to reach those who’ve made mistakes and spread the message that the road inmates have traveled doesn’t have to be the path they continue on, and that a relationship with God is an exit ramp from the road that brought them there. Recently, a crowd gathered behind the jail and was composed of members of local churches, guards, a few inmates, and family members of three inmates who’d been reached by the path-changing message of Christ and wanted to make a public profession of their faith in baptism.
Debbie Lynn Hart, a ministry leader from her church in Wurtland, had nothing but good to say for Larry Pancake and the Greenup County outreach. “He welcomes all churches to come in to give ministry to the men and to the women. Our ladies come every other Monday, our men come every Tuesday, so we have baptized many men here, and several women, and we get to do it again!” Hart joyously explained. After the baptism, she looked forward to spending Bible study time with the women adding, “We’re going to give them a certificate of baptism, so that they have the day they know when they had their baptism.” Among the detention center missionaries, there is a sentiment that a revival is on the horizon at the Greenup County facility and it’s hoped and believed that it will spread to the families and the whole community.
“It’s all about God’s forgiveness,” Pam Hall a ministry leader from Bridges Christian Church spoke about the ministry happening in Greenup County, adding “I hope that they put their trust and faith in God and not in men and women. Their walk with God will help them in their continued life.” Hall ministers to the ladies every Wednesday morning. “It’s just been a wonderful experience for me.” She elaborated sharing her intent, “I just want to minister to the ladies, love them, be with them, get to know them and try to help them in any way I can. I want them to know they are loved. I miss them through the week. It’s like family.” Hall concluded, “You think sometimes you’re going to help somebody, and in fact, they’re helping me. It’s just a wonderful blessing to be with them.”
For nearly a decade, Bella Nicely, a ministry leader from Raceland First Assembly, has participated in this ministry where they lead ladies' studies on Sunday in the library. She is motivated by how hungry the women are for answers on how to get out of the lifestyle that brought them to this place and just be free. “They want to be free. We let them know that even behind bars, they can be free. They like hearing that,” Nicely revealed. She expanded upon the hope for their future, “They will take the word of God they’ve learned here and experiences they’ve had back to their families. They have to be strong and say there’s a better way to live. We have a hope; we don’t have to live this way.”
One spectator, who is longstanding in jail ministry at Boyd County was Linda Hoffman, from Bridges Christian Church. Hoffman spoke of long-term goals for those who were reached and changed in such a ministry, “I would like them to be ministered to and mentored by Christian women who could pour out the Bible into their lives and help them. This is not a one-and-done thing, it’s a lifelong commitment. I want them to find a church that’s accepting to them, and I want them to fall in love with Jesus.”
Larry Pancake, Greenup County Jailer, is quick to acknowledge the work of the churches, “I’ve welcomed the churches that have come in to have a ministry with the men and the women. I’m really proud of what these churches are doing in the community; they all thank me, but it’s not me.” It seems to be working, too. “The classes are getting bigger; a lot of the girls who have been in here have gone to other jails or gotten out. It’s a rotating door of fresh faces and fresh souls to save.” Pancake detailed going further to outline a greater hope, “I hope this will change their life and keep them on the right path and keep them from coming back here. I don’t want to be out of job, but I want to do anything I can to help save them and their families from heartache.”
When Raceland First Assembly Pastor Chad Haggard administered the baptism of each of the three inmates, a declaration had been made, but it all began with a seed planted by faithful servants – some who minister, some who baptize, some who pray, and some who support – that found fertile ground, took root, and grew wildly! Truly, God things are happening in Greenup County.