We need to love the murderer, rapist and mobster!

[hishandmaiden]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven. God gives us a second chance. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. God did not give us what we deserve.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Proverbs 14:21 ESV

God loves these hopeless scums we despise. God do not want them to perish without knowing Him. If they repent and receive Jesus into their lives, even they can be saved. They can turn from a life of crime and live a righteous and blessed life, just like us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Let us care for these rapists, murderers and mobsters like the way God wants us to. Let us look at them not at what they currently are, hopeless scums but see them the way God does--- His beloved sons and daughters, who Jesus came down to die for.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV

No sin is too great in God's eyes. Every murderer, rapist and mobster needs to know Jesus. Let us not judge them for their sins, but pray fervently for their salvations, instead. Let us not think we are more righteous than them, but remember that we are sinners like they are, until God saved us.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7: 3 ESV

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

 

[Whatever]

who deserve to be reconciled with God!

What did these people do to "deserve" anything other than their punishment.

Dictionary on deserve = to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to.

New King James
Romans 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

All of us have merited damnation. None of us deserve to be reconciled with God. People are only reconciled to God by God's unmerited grace.

Yes, we as sinners should pray for their salvation exactly because they don't deserve it.

 

[WIP]

I would have to say yes and no to what you've written here. You said, "God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell..." Actually, it is quite the opposite.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV

You are indeed angry, for we have sinned—
In these ways we continue;
And we need to be saved. (from what?)
But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away.
And there is no one who calls on Your name,
Who stirs himself up to take hold of You;
For You have hidden Your face from us,
And have consumed us because of our iniquities.
Isaiah 64:5-7 NKJV

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans 1:28-32 ESV

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NKJV)

I said that I would have to say yes and no. This is why. It is true that God would love for everyone to be saved but it is only by the grace of God through fellowship with His Son, that we can be saved from the death we deserve.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:16-18 NKJV

 

[jasonc]

There is forgiven sex offender that is faithful to God that attends my church .he said I am guilty of that crime .

 

[Tenchi]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

Well, God says that all unrepentant sinners - not just murderers or rapists - will go to eternal hell, if they don't avail themselves of His mercy and grace extended in Jesus Christ to all lost sinners. God says the wickedness of all unrepentant sinners is so bad, so offensive and evil, that the appropriate response to it is to punish it with everlasting torment and separation from Himself in the "blackness of darkness" where there is "wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Romans 2:4-10; Jude 1:13; Matthew 13:50; 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). It seems to me, then, that a feeling of revulsion at things like rape and murder are exactly in keeping with God's feeling about these things, though our feeling doesn't begin to approach God's.

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes.

Do we forget this? I sure don't.

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven.

I'm afraid this isn't accurate. In fact, what God actually says in His word is that we all deserve eternal hell (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Romans 2:4-10). We don't get what we deserve, though, because God is loving, gracious and merciful, as well as holy and just. There is nothing in us that warrants God's love and mercy; He is just, by His essential nature, this way and we are the indescribably fortunate recipients of His undeserved goodness.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

We ought to take up God's view of sin. And He views sin as being so awful, so vile and wretched, that the appropriate response to all of it is to cast those guilty of sin, and unrepentant about it, into eternal hell.

Concerning the sinner, we ought to do as God has done and extend the offer of His forgiveness in Jesus Christ to them. But this does not entail suspending the consequences of their evil. Consider the thief on the cross, for example. Though he was saved, he was not miraculously liberated from his death by crucifixion.

No sin is too great in God's eyes.

Actually, the sin of unrepentance, of the rejection of the salvation offered in Christ, is "too great." Those guilty of such sin will be cast into outer darkness forever.

 

[NoahK]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven. God gives us a second chance. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. God did not give us what we deserve.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Proverbs 14:21 ESV

God loves these hopeless scums we despise. God do not want them to perish without knowing Him. If they repent and receive Jesus into their lives, even they can be saved. They can turn from a life of crime and live a righteous and blessed life, just like us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Let us care for these rapists, murderers and mobsters like the way God wants us to. Let us look at them not at what they currently are, hopeless scums but see them the way God does--- His beloved sons and daughters, who Jesus came down to die for.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV

No sin is too great in God's eyes. Every murderer, rapist and mobster needs to know Jesus. Let us not judge them for their sins, but pray fervently for their salvations, instead. Let us not think we are more righteous than them, but remember that we are sinners like they are, until God saved us.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7: 3 ESV

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

God tells us to seek His Righteousness. He doesn't let evil go unpunished. So until a criminal repents, the right thing to do is jail time imo.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I’m conflicted .

Jail and prison often create more hardened criminals who now have additional criminal connections. In many countries there’s also the issue of a permanent record although some countries and USA states offer expungements more often now than in years past.

But honestly? Some people really need to not be in society. I’m serious. It’s not just about punishment or accountability but rather about everyone else…the common good.

From a Christian perspective I think prison ministries are a good place to start and thankfully many churches ️ do those.

If a person comes to truly know Jesus Christ then they will be changed. This is true of people with convictions and people who were upstanding citizens at the time of conversion.

 

[follower]

I’m conflicted .
Jail and prison often create more hardened criminals

Good and honest testimony, from your life and posts/statements by Jesus' Grace a Gift From ABBA YAHWEH.

Notice why the Creator did not give His people instructions to build nor to even have jails. (no, you won't find the truth/ the answer/ on this nor any other forum that I know of.

Give up man's thoughts and ways about justice, jails, voting, society, and so on, ;

seek only the Truth, only as Revealed by the Creator, as He Pleases (seeking Him and waiting for Him in all things).

You won't then stand in the company of sinners, nor sit in the company of gossipers liars and thieves.

Yahweh the Almighty Gives Peace in Truth, Victory over the world, by and in Yeshua. Not many people at all.

 

[Christ_empowered]

God’s justice often leans heavily on mercy with an overall focus on redemption and restoration. I know this because of His work in my own life.

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven. God gives us a second chance. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. God did not give us what we deserve.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Proverbs 14:21 ESV

God loves these hopeless scums we despise. God do not want them to perish without knowing Him. If they repent and receive Jesus into their lives, even they can be saved. They can turn from a life of crime and live a righteous and blessed life, just like us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Let us care for these rapists, murderers and mobsters like the way God wants us to. Let us look at them not at what they currently are, hopeless scums but see them the way God does--- His beloved sons and daughters, who Jesus came down to die for.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV

No sin is too great in God's eyes. Every murderer, rapist and mobster needs to know Jesus. Let us not judge them for their sins, but pray fervently for their salvations, instead. Let us not think we are more righteous than them, but remember that we are sinners like they are, until God saved us.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7: 3 ESV

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

I feel that we need to pray for Jesus' victory to be able to separate the sin from the sinner by noticing what the sin is in order to avoid it and, at the same time, loving the sinner as a fellow creature of God.

 

[Whatever]

God’s justice often leans heavily on mercy with an overall focus on redemption and restoration. I know this because of His work in my own life.

And have you never considered it happened this way because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

 

[Hopeful 2]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did.

Some just ignore their consciences, so they can have some minutes of fun.

Our knowledge of what good and evil has made us despise these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

Are you not joyful that we don't need to serve sin anymore ?
That we can now walk as Jesus walked ?

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

You do know that that verse is directed at those who walk in darkness, and not those who walk in God, (in Whom is no sin).

 

[Who Me]

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

There are Christian prison ministries that need both volunteers to work in prisons and churches willing to support a ' christian ' x con who need a church plus help in living away from their criminal past.

Is your church involved?

 

[Christ_empowered]

I will say there is a risk involved. I dunno it’s not a blanket statement but it’s the real world etc.

The problem seems to me to at least partially be how deviant behavior is handled. Jails and prisons tend to further harden people and reward antisocial behaviors. Mental hospitals at best seem to turn troubled people into lifelong patients.

 

[Fish153]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven. God gives us a second chance. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. God did not give us what we deserve.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Proverbs 14:21 ESV

God loves these hopeless scums we despise. God do not want them to perish without knowing Him. If they repent and receive Jesus into their lives, even they can be saved. They can turn from a life of crime and live a righteous and blessed life, just like us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Let us care for these rapists, murderers and mobsters like the way God wants us to. Let us look at them not at what they currently are, hopeless scums but see them the way God does--- His beloved sons and daughters, who Jesus came down to die for.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV

No sin is too great in God's eyes. Every murderer, rapist and mobster needs to know Jesus. Let us not judge them for their sins, but pray fervently for their salvations, instead. Let us not think we are more righteous than them, but remember that we are sinners like they are, until God saved us.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7: 3 ESV

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

I think we have to be careful. I hear what you are saying, but one who has murdered or raped should be treated differently. If a person steals $500.00 from us and asks to be forgiven we should forgive them. But what if they still have your $500.00?? Should they return it? Of course they should---they need to "repent" even though we are forgiving them. If we forgive a murderer do we let him go scot free never to pay for his crimes? No. The LAW assigns a penalty for murder. We can forgive the murderer---but he still needs to "pay" for what he did according to the LAW.
So, it's true---Jesus died for everyone---but not everyone is treated the same way. If I'm a liar and repent, and you forgive me, I can walk away (if I haven't done something that deserves my repayment). But a murderer if convicted can be forgiven---but must pay the price for his crime--whether a Christian or not.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I dunno

Prison sentences vary from state to state and then there’s how the law is applied. Race gender and social class are huge factors that affect sentencing. And then there’s the prevailing political climate at the time. In my area parole boards are releasing fewer and fewer people even though the laws were actually modified maybe 15 years ago so that people could be released and hopefully reintegrated into the community more often.

So…I dunno yes I do think that there are people who need to be taken out of society for a while. But how will they be treated? What happens if they are released?

 

[for_his_glory]

When we see a murderer, a rapist, or a mobster, our first reaction is to be disgusted by what these people did. It is natural. God created us with conscience, and it seemed that these people have no conscience or they would not be doing what they did. Our knowledge of what good and evil is made us despised these people who seemed delighted in only doing evil and not good. We think they deserve to go to jails and even to go the electric chairs!

What we often forget is that while our own sins may seem small in our eyes, they are large and big in God's eyes. We may think we are good people, but we are sinners, too, in God's eyes, just like the murderer, rapist, mobster we despise.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 ESV

Before we know God or receive Jesus into our lives, we are just as hopeless as the mobster, rapist or murderer we despise. Yet, God does not think we deserve to go to eternal jail, hell but deserve to be blessed with Him in our eternal home, heaven. God gives us a second chance. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. God did not give us what we deserve.

So, it is important that we do not look with disdain at the murderer, rapist or mobster but we look at them with compassion, instead. We also ought not to give to them what we think they deserve--jail or electric chair but our compassions.

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Proverbs 14:21 ESV

God loves these hopeless scums we despise. God do not want them to perish without knowing Him. If they repent and receive Jesus into their lives, even they can be saved. They can turn from a life of crime and live a righteous and blessed life, just like us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

Let us care for these rapists, murderers and mobsters like the way God wants us to. Let us look at them not at what they currently are, hopeless scums but see them the way God does--- His beloved sons and daughters, who Jesus came down to die for.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV

No sin is too great in God's eyes. Every murderer, rapist and mobster needs to know Jesus. Let us not judge them for their sins, but pray fervently for their salvations, instead. Let us not think we are more righteous than them, but remember that we are sinners like they are, until God saved us.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7: 3 ESV

We need to look at these prodigal sons and daughters from a different perspective, not as scums that deserve to be judged for their sins but as precious human beings, made in God's image, who deserve to be reconciled with God!

I use to go into the prisons back in the day teaching the word of God. I had those same thoughts about those who are incarcerated before I got into the prison ministry, but God showed me they are just as worthy to be saved as I was. no matter the crime, and just needed someone to lead them to Christ. When you sit across a table with a murder, thief or rapist like I did one on one and witness Christ to them, and see the tears of remorse running down their face as they give their life to the Lord, this shows you the love God has for everyone, no matter what, as we were all sinners at one time that were saved by God's grace after hearing the word of God.


2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

[WIP]

I use to go into the prisons back in the day teaching the word of God. I had those same thoughts about those who are incarcerated before I got into the prison ministry, but God showed me they are just as worthy to be saved as I was. no matter the crime, and just needed someone to lead them to Christ. When you sit across a table with a murder, thief or rapist like I did one on one and witness Christ to them, and see the tears of remorse running down their face as they give their life to the Lord, this shows you the love God has for everyone, no matter what, as we were all sinners at one time that were saved by God's grace after hearing the word of God.

This is intriguing. I know Jesus tells us to visit those in prison but in all honesty I have never done that. I don't even know of a prison near me but then I have never looked either.

How do you start something like that? Just show up at a prison unannounced and ask to speak to anyone willing to have a visitor? And then how do you start that conversation?

Maybe I'm wrong but in my mind it seems it might be easier for a pastor to get started as their "profession" leads the way so-to-speak but how does an everyday Joe/Jane do this? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill?

 

[Corn Pop]

Loving the enemy I think basically just means you care enough to want to see them be remorseful and repent.

There are alot of past criminals who have done horrible things and have turned there life around and asked Christ for forgiveness. I think thats mainly what prison is acturally for. It's called doing time that one might be remorseful and repent and turn there life around during the penalty, and as it goes sometimes prisoners get released early if a Judge sees they progressing for the better.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is intriguing. I know Jesus tells us to visit those in prison but in all honesty I have never done that. I don't even know of a prison near me but then I have never looked either.

How do you start something like that? Just show up at a prison unannounced and ask to speak to anyone willing to have a visitor? And then how do you start that conversation?

Maybe I'm wrong but in my mind it seems it might be easier for a pastor to get started as their "profession" leads the way so-to-speak but how does an everyday Joe/Jane do this? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill?

The church I attended back then, the Pastor was the Prison Ministry Chaplin. He would prayerfully select those he felt that were knowledgeable in the word of God and ask them/me if we wanted this position, but to pray first to see if this was where God wanted us to be within God's ministry. I had to take Evangelistic training classes in order to obtain my Evangelist license through the Church according to the Government licensing regulations in order to go teach the word of God in prisons by myself.

It's not a willy - nilly decision to take it upon yourself to go in by yourself as it's best to start out going in with a group or your Pastor, like I did, so you can get the feel of how it all works as there is some anticipation at first. The prison/ local county jail sets up the day and time that you are to be there so the Guards can let you in the door as you have to buzz in first and announce yourself. Then the guard will take you to the room where the inmates are gathered and you can then start the service. Some inmates that are on lock down are not permitted to come to the services so that becomes a one on one ministering to them. I always allowed enough time for Q&A, but usually you only have an hour to speak.