The Spirit of the Lord was on full display at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Fresh Life Church minister Levi Lusko, Christian music artist Mack Brock, and “The Voice” finalist Bodie Cruz came in to fellowship with residents, guests, and administrators.
Hundreds descended upon Chapel B midway through the 50-day Easter season to hear God’s message. The event was sponsored by the non-profit God Behinds Bars whose mission is to introduce men and women in prison to Christ and to connect them with local churches while incarcerated and upon release.
“Worship is vertical. This is not a concert or an entertainment show, we’re here to worship our King, our Lord, our Savior,” resident Carrington Russell said as the event began.
Founder of God Behind Bars Jake Bodine said over the last 16 years he has seen a lot and his prison ministry has reached a national level. “We hope to shine a light on those in prison and show them nothing is wasted.”
For just his second time in a prison and first time in a California prison, Lusko preached about having a hardened heart, the art of the apology, where do we go from here, and five truths from the book of Hebrews, chapter three.
“It was an important thing for Jesus to go into prisons as it should be for every Christian,” Lusko said.
Lusko told the attendees he figured out the art of the apology early on into his 20-year marriage. He said it is not an apology if there is a “but,” and the apology must contain three ingredients: take full responsibility, express true regret and remorse, and offer restitution.
Lusko said that anytime we sense the need to pick up the broken pieces of our lives, we should focus on the fact that Jesus is greater. He referenced the hardening of peoples’ hearts in the Old Testament and that we should maintain our awareness of an evil heart or disbelief.
Lusko told attendees there are five truths from chapter three in the book of Hebrews.
The past can be learned from or repeated; whoever does not learn from the past will repeat it.
New seasons call for new strategies. Your spirit is your responsibility.
If you listen to wrong voices you end up in wrong places.
The right time to do the right thing is right now.
Whenever you present yourself to God, he will guide you.
“Lusko’s sermon about ‘the right time to do the right thing is right now’ really opened my heart,” resident James Brooks said.
Cruz said that performing on “The Voice” was life changing and reminded him of his calling. He said he wants to make music that reminds people of their purpose. Two of the songs he performed were “Gratitude” and “Great Are You Lord.” He said this was his first time in prison. “I am blown away by the vibe and the love, especially during the worship and when speaking with residents about Jesus.”
For his first performance in an institution in more than a decade, Brock traveled thousands of miles to attend the event. Brock has an album releasing in the summer, his third since departing from Elevation Worship, the Christian music group he helped form. Dozens of residents fell to their knees at the altar as Brock sang “Oh Come to the Altar.”
Brock said his songs are about the faithfulness of God. “I go through seasons where God seems far.” He said his songs help remind him God is always faithful and moving in his life. “Speaking truth and worshipping in heart are tools for hope and inspiration,” Brock said.
“I appreciated the singing, worship, and corporate fellowship the event offered,” resident Dylan Savoy said. “It was a glorious thing to raise hands and praise the Lord.”
