By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) — Cedric Davis entered Bossier Parish Maximum Facility in April, but just two months later the 45-year-old, convicted for simple burglary, gained a permanent reprieve from a spiritual death sentence.
“Satan left and Jesus entered into my body,” an ecstatic Davis told the Baptist Message.
Davis responded to a Gospel invitation offered by Kyle Williams, a Louisiana Baptist evangelist from Sarepta and a religious volunteer at the prison. Davis was among 41 inmates who made decisions to follow Christ during a jail visit by a team of 25, June 29.
Throughout the morning, the volunteers visited various dormitories to pray and share the Gospel with inmates.
Williams (a member of Willow Point Baptist Church, Shreveport) and other local ministers will follow up with the 41 inmates and disciple them during weekly visits.
“These men that made decisions are no longer bound by sin and have been forgiven of all unrighteousness,” said Williams, who has visited inmates inside the prison since 2010. “For the believer, leading someone to Christ is the pinnacle. It doesn’t get any better this side of Heaven. What a blessing to see men cross over from death to life.”
An inmate lifted his hands upward during a time of prayer at Bossier Parish Maximum Facility. Brian Blackwell photo
De’Ongelo Smith, a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ringgold, inmate whom he befriended years ago. He was thankful to see such inmates now growing in their relationships with the Lord.
“This day was for the glory of God,” Smith said. “I’m thankful that I was able to become a part of this alongside mighty of men of God as we got the chance just to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“It wasn’t about me or any of us,” he continued. “It was all about Christ being glorified.”
Bradley Huie, a member of First Baptist Church, Haughton, said his favorite moment of the day was when he and other team members prayed over an inmate who moments earlier decided to accept Christ.
“The Great Commission tells us that we need to make ourselves disciples and share the Word,” he said. “It was encouraging to see that one inmate get his heart right and hopefully he will grow in his new life with Christ and bring glory to God.”
