You may have noticed dedicated inmates posted at strategic places on prison yards, bearing gifts of spiritual food in the form of Watchtower and Awake magazines. They offer this informative literature, spiritual wisdom and insight into the scriptures with the hope of encouraging everyone to draw close to Jehovah.
D. Ernest Soltero, an inmate who is practicing Messianic Judaism, shared his feelings about the way Witnesses teach the religion. He said that it bothered him at first before he was a reformed Kerraite, a sect of Judaism. Soltero had considered Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult. He says that he is now more tolerant of other people who profess a belief in the Messiah. “I have spoken to Witnesses and studied with them. My impression is that they have a deep, sincere conviction and a strong, sound belief. I find their articles very informative, Bible-based and non-biased,” Soltero added.
Richard Richardson is one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses preaching here at San Quentin. He has been a Jehovah’s Witness for 12 years after embracing the religion in 2001 at Calipatria State Prison. His grandparents were Witnesses, and he remembers visiting the Kingdom Hall, the place of worship for Jehovah’s Witnesses, with his mom as a child.
Richardson says he preaches the word and distributes Jehovah’s Witness literature because he is following a command from Jesus as written in Matthew, chapter 28, verses 19 and 20, which says, “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
Richardson does not take it personal. When people reject the message he has to offer, saying, “Jehovah teaches that it’s not personal against us, so we don’t worry about how they will respond.” Richardson has preached at both Calipatria and Ironwood prisons, but he says that it is easier to preach here at San Quentin. He points to the “lack of politics among inmates” making it easier for him to do what is most important: “saving lives.”
There are 13 baptized Witnesses at San Quentin. You will see them out daily doing their ministry because they love helping people draw closer to God and explaining to them what the “Bible Really Teaches.” Witnesses who are either elders or ministers from local congregations sponsor the meetings. These male volunteers consistently sacrifice time away from their loved ones and other responsibilities to help and encourage the Witness population in San Quentin. They have services on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, Bible Study and Ministry School, and again on Saturday at 9:00 am for a study of the Watchtower. All are welcomed to attend.
