“Man, they got all these youngsters running wild around here,” said an older churchgoer in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel in the Garden Chapel area of the prison.
It was not a takeover of the Protestant Chapel by young hooligans, but rather a new movement inside the prison.
Graced Out Youth Ministries began early 2013 and has been going strong since the first day, according to Fanon Figgers, 43, one of the church program’s coordinators. There is no age limit to join, but Graced Out Youth Ministries targets 18 to 30 year old participants.
With nearly 100 participants and growing, every Friday Graced Out Youth Ministries fills the large chapel sanctuary with energetic prisoners of all ages. The program starts after the evening meal around 6 pm and runs until 7:45 pm.
The unusual sound of hip-hop gospel music can be heard from the chapel’s sanctuary before the program begins.
Russ Holmes, an older gentleman 63, sat in an isle seat waiting for the sermon to begin. When asked about the loud music being played in the chapel, he said, “It’s too loud for me. If I was listening to music this loud in the wing, I’d be upset. But in here God’s made it so that I can deal with it.” Holmes had wandered into the chapel unaware of this particular brand of ministry taking place, which targets younger prisoners. He smiled after listening to the music for a moment and said, “With the music comes a message.”
Seated in the back of the room, Protestant Chaplain Mardi Ralph Jackson remarked, “It’s the voice of their generation.” Chaplain Jackson has been employed by the department since January, 2012 to facilitate religious services for several religious organizations. She is very supportive of this program and explained, “This ministry was conceived by the young men here and the program is all developed by Graced Out Ministries.”
Small and pleasant in stature, Chaplain Jackson shakes hands and speaks to everyone who enters the sanctuary. She says that all are welcomed into the chapel to hear the Word of God.
Before the services began, Jackie Osby stood against a wall near the back of the chapel looking nervous. Osby, 41, emceed the event even though he had only been with the program for a few months. Humble and soft-spoken with prescription glasses guarding his shy eyes, Osby confided, “This is outside my comfort zone.” He said he doesn’t know why he was chosen to welcome participants to the church, however; “I’m the guy that keeps everything running smooth.”
“I’ve seen some people in prison use their faith as a shelter for safety. God uses these conditions to better the man”
Osby has been a Christian for 32 years and like many of the men in the room, does not identify with any particular denomination of the Christian faith. He said that in prison practicing his faith has been tough at times, but that he believes that God has been faithful to him. “I’ve seen some people in prison use their faith as a shelter for safety. God uses these conditions to better the man,” he said about those who turn to religion in prison to avoid negative influences behind the walls.
The program began with a gospel rap song that got the parishioners in the mood for worship. They praised God to atypical rap lyrics accompanied by professionally produced tracks by Antwan Williams.
San Quentin Rap Duo Lemar Harrison and Antwan Williams, known as “Mavrick and Banks,” respectively, performed a heartfelt song. Then, the audience enjoyed a catchy rap song by positive rapper Marlone Beason. They all respond and repeated Beason’s lyrics: “Everyday’s a good day, if you don’t believe me, miss one.”
After the performance, emcee Osby said, “if you miss one… its over.” The crowd roared with laughter then, making it obvious why he was chosen to be emcee so quickly after joining the group.
The program ended with several bible readings and a sermon by Pastor Antoine Watie praising Jesus and reminding the group to keep God in their lives.
Coordinators of Graced Out Youth Ministries include, Ferrari Moody, 31, Pastor; Antoine Watie, 33, Assistant Pastor; Quincy Wyatt, 26, and Pedro Cruz, 24, Youth Coordinators; and possibly the youngest man in the room, Sebastian Sprague, age 19.
Although the men have thus far organized their services without outside help, they are hoping for more support in the future.
