Hope Behind Bars

God is always Greater…

Linda Strom and her husband Dallas have been ministering “to the captives” since 1974. Founders of Discipleship Unlimited, their ministry reaches out to prisoners, their families, and others in need, offering emotional and spiritual healing, and reconciliation. Since 1986, the Stroms have traveled to Gatesville, Tex., ministering to the women inmates at Mountain View Unit, one of the prisons in the large system there. After the first few years, they began bringing teams of volunteers from throughout the country. The teams develop relationships with the women there, including women on Death Row. The Stroms are bringing the church behind the fences.

How it all began

From the pain of a broken childhood, Linda emerged as a woman God would use to reach the hearts of the hurting, even impacting the lives of many on Death Row. Linda’s passion for prison ministry began on Easter morning in 1975 when she met Billy, a Kentucky State Penitentiary inmate who had just become a believer. He told her about the changes in his life and knelt on the concrete floor wearing handcuffs and leg irons. “As we knelt beside him,” Linda said, “in that cold, noisy, desolate place, something was planted in my heart: freedom for the captives. I needed to help the captives become free in Jesus Christ.”

Spending time with Death Row Inmates

Over the years, the Stroms and their ministry partners have developed some deep relationships with the women on Death Row in Texas. Murderer Karla Tucker Brown was one of the most committed, on-fire Christians Linda ever met. Linda developed a particularly close relationship with her and was asked to be her spiritual advisor until her execution on Feb. 3, 1998. Until her death, Karla had a worldwide ministry from her cell proclaiming the gospel wherever possible through letters and television interviews. She also had a powerful prayer ministry. Discipleship Unlimited produced a video in which you see Karla at her trial before she met Christ and the transformed Karla after she became a believer. The change is unexplainable apart from the healing power of Jesus Christ. 

Keys in Ministering to Broken People

1.  Prayer

There has to be a lot of prayer when seeking God and asking Him to give wisdom and discernment in prison ministry.

2.  Unconditional Love

It was Jesus’ love that caused the brokenhearted to flock to Him. “One of the greatest assets in this ministry is the love that flows from wounded healers,” says Linda. “We also need those who haven’t experienced a great level of hurt because they bring security and stability to the ministry.” Everyone must remember that they are not coming to see inmates, they are coming to see people!

3.  Forgiveness

This is often the beginning point for healing. Linda states that this is serious and necessary work. Working through conflict with Christ’s help can produce intimacy in relationships.

“Our ministry is just allowing Him to use our lives, lives that were without hope,” says Linda. “I was wounded, I was weary. The Father made me His child and started a wonderful healing process that continues to this day. I have a freedom now that I never knew before, and that’s only through the Lord Jesus Christ coming in.”

A Behind Bars, Open Hearts Story

I had the amazing opportunity to accompany Linda Strom with Discipleship Unlimited and others as they ministered to women inmates at the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Little did I know then how deeply the experience would touch me.

As I walked up to the prison, I noticed the contrast of the peaceful, countryside setting and the razor wire on the building. Such different worlds! We then entered the building, and went through the first of a couple “checkpoints.” The areas were neat and tidy, but I couldn’t ignore the dull “clang” of the doors as they were locked and unlocked behind us as we moved toward the inmates’ community room.

The room looked similar to a visiting room, with chairs and magazines, but also some puzzles and games. I was greeted by a woman with short dark hair and a green inmate’s outfit. Her smile was so bright it lit up her entire face. “Hi, I’m Denise,” she said. She then paused and held out her hand, explaining, “I’m not sure if we’re allowed to hug or not.”

After some more greetings, we settled in for the weekly prayer meeting. As I looked around the group, I was surprised. I saw people who looked like friends, neighbors – women of all different ages. They were smiling and chatting easily with each other. For a moment I found it hard to believe we were in a prison. How could all these kind smiling faces have ended up here?

My heart broke as they shared some of their stories. No one aims to set out on the wrong path – I realized just how easy it is for one bad decision to change your life. Maybe this decision was even made in the face of excruciating grief. Who hasn’t done something they’ve later regretted? At Ellsworth, I met women whose decisions changed their lives forever. Yet it was there that I realized the true extent and wonder of God’s grace. Despite not being able to come and go as they chose, and despite having to live under rules and behind bars, these women carried such joy. It radiated out from their smiles and lit up their eyes. They literally glowed.

During the meeting, I learned several women from the group had formed an a cappella choir. They performed a couple of songs for the group. Their voices rang sweet and true, all in praise of the Lord.

Later, we broke into small groups for prayer. I was in quiet awe of how open and honest these women were. Despite their circumstances, despite the pain that had brought them to their current location, their hearts were pure. Their hearts were so open to the Lord, I was moved to tears. 

At the end of the night, we hugged and wished each other well. My prayer list had grown by several names, and I was already thanking God for the opportunity to meet these amazing women. The experience truly changed my heart.

Before I left, I made sure to find Denise. I reached out and gave her a hug and she said, “Aww, thank you, I got my hug!” She then went on to explain that she doesn't get visitors, and the wardens aren't allowed to touch the inmates, so she’d walk past them with her arms out to each side and smile and say, “My hug to you!” 

I’ve kept her bright smile in my heart and prayers. Whenever I think of it, I feel her hug, and I feel so blessed to have met her.

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