Lee Wilder said he and his wife, Dana, got to be a part of something recently that was “a big blessing” — he was able to baptize two Coosa County inmates in Hatchet Creek.
“We’ve got some who are really on fire,” he said of the people who come to their Bible studies once a week at Coosa County Jail.
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Lee Wilder, pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Equality and leader of the Central Baptist Association jail ministry team, said he spends an hour in one men’s cell block, then an hour in another.
During that time, his wife leads a Bible study in a women’s cell block with the help of another team member, Lily Lynch.
Dana Wilder said when they arrive, the women are “ready for us.”
“They’re at the table and eager to receive the Word,” she said.
In the five years since Lee Wilder took over leadership of the team, he said they’ve seen many inmates saved, including the two who were baptized in Hatchet Creek on June 24, a man and a woman. The man’s 9-year-old daughter also asked to be baptized that day.
The baptism ceremony was hosted by the jail ministry team along with Sheriff Michael Howell and jail administrator Shelia Thomas.
‘Willingness to serve’
Howell told ABC 33/40 news that he “cannot thank them (the jail ministry team) enough for their willingness to serve.”
“I’m very proud of the jail ministry team, and I’m both blessed and honored to be able to witness the baptism of two people who gave their heart to the Lord,” he said. “May God continue to bless them all.”
Matthew Reams, transitional director of missions for Central Association, said Howell “has been very receptive to allowing us to minister, and I think that’s key.”
“Without his cooperation and the cooperation of his administration, it would not be possible,” he said.
Reams, who also serves as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church in Rockford and as chaplain for the sheriff’s office, said churches in the association also come together to prepare and serve a feast for the inmates on Christmas Eve each year.
“They usually try to prepare enough for them to have on Christmas Day as well,” he said. “It’s a blessing.”
The jail ministry is a way for the association to fulfill its Acts 1:8 mandate, Reams said. “We’re commanded by Christ to go and share the gospel, and this is one of the ways we do that.”
The jail ministry team “truly has a heart and a passion for it,” he said, noting that Dana Wilder also bakes bread and cookies to take to the inmates each week.
Reams said he occasionally fills in for Lee Wilder at the weekly men’s Bible studies, and when he does, he’s always amazed at how receptive the men are.
“It is not an intimidating situation; it is really a blessing,” he said.
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