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“It was odd. No one wanted to talk to a minister at first,” said Mr. Shankle.
But, slowly the ice was broken.
In five years, there has been everything from a baptism to communion to spiritual blessings to simple scripture readings, involved lessons and religious conversions.
The number of inmates attending the weekly meetings grew from five.
“Now they are extremely receptive and look forward to the Sunday meetings,” he said.
Besides the Sunday meetings, inmates look forward to the Tuesday meeting, an alcohol and drug awareness meeting.
Through tapes, discussion and guest speakers inmates gather for meetings each Tuesday evening under the direction of Mr. Shankle.
They may not have come just for the message. Many may visit the meeting for a change of environment or an opportunity to talk with someone new. For a variety of reasons, the criminals began coming to the weekly meetings.
“Before they could let the ministry and God into their life, they had to make a change,” said Mr. Shankle.
As a recovering alcoholic, Mr. Shankle took the meeting upon himself.
“The drug and alcohol awareness program and the church ministry complement each other,” he said, adding “the program would not have worked so well if not for the two sides. t
“These are people who need to know someone cares for them,” he said.
“It makes me feel good. People are really glad to see you,” he said.
He said it is the “exception
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