- Mark Merrill and me with some of the staff of the Polk Correctional Institution.
I had the chance to enjoy a very special day on Tuesday. Mark Merrill, the president of Family First, and I went on a prison visit with Abe Brown Ministries to the Polk Correctional Institution. We spent the morning with the prison staff and the afternoon with the inmates. I have spoken many times to inmates across the state of Florida, but this was my first time speaking to prison staff. While most people might think that keeping the inmates in line and administering discipline are the most important issues for the guards and correctional officers, that’s certainly not all they focus on. They’re trying to help the inmates, much as a coach is trying to help his players. So I talked to the prison staff about how I tried to lead my football teams by developing a bond with my players and operating with a sense of mutual respect. Mark did a great job of relating how the principles you use in directing your family and showing them love could carry over into the job of directing inmates.
When we spoke to the inmates, we talked about how life is like football, where no one ever goes undefeated. As in football, sometimes you have to overcome adversity and bounce back from losses and disappointments. We also talked about how God is there for everyone, all the time. He doesn’t turn His back on people who have made mistakes. Mark’s message to the inmates was how God wanted them to be leaders, especially in their families. Even though they may be in prison, they still needed to be in touch with their loved ones and let their children know how much they care for them.
It’s always gratifying to me to go on these visits with Reverend Brown, because it gives me a chance to share the gospel with men who really need to hear about love and forgiveness. My last visit to Polk was in 2003, and there were a few men there who remembered me. I hope it won’t be another six years before I’m able to get back again.
