Pinson church uses ice cream in jail ministry

Jail ministry continues to be a vital effort among Alabama Baptists, but Agape Baptist Church, Pinson, has taken it to new heights.
   
Pastor Cary Duckett leads the church in ministering to those coming to visit inmates.
   
Visitors stand in tiring lines of up to 200 people, most with children and young adults accompanying them, just to spend five short minutes with inmates, Duckett explained.
   
While Agape members plan to minister in a variety of ways, they served ice cream outside the entrance of the jail lobby during the May 24 visiting time from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
   
“The purpose of what we we’re trying to do by serving the visitors ice cream was to show them that God loves them and to show them that in a very practical way,” said Sharon Elam, secretary of Agape and one of 15 who came from the church.
   
While serving ice cream to men, women and children alike, Agape members passed out church contact cards and were able to share the gospel as the opportunity presented itself. One member was able to share the gospel with two people who were attending a rehabilitation class.
   
When the night was over, Agape members had served ice cream to 170 visitors, Duckett reported.