by Kaye Johns

If you wonder whether God still works miracles, ask Chaplain Gene Bartholf at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Or ask the 40 praying men at the maximum security prison (pop. 3100) near Gatesville, Texas.

Early in 1995, Jim and Kaye Johns received an invitation to visit the Hughes Unit and say a few words about prayer to those 40 men, who had begun meeting every Thursday afternoon at 4:00 for an hour, to pray for themselves and their families.

The invitation came from Frank Graham, founder of Chapels of Hope Ministries, headquartered in Dallas. Graham, after eight years in personal prison ministry, had launched Chapels of Hope to address a serious need: of some 112 state prisons and jails in Texas, fewer than a dozen had adequate space to evangelize inmates, and to disciple the growing number of men and women who have come to faith in Christ behind bars, or who -- though saved -- have run afoul of the law and face years of incarceration.

It was a daunting task, and Frank Graham had no idea of what he was to do. But God had touched his heart, and he had responded in faith, trusting that the God Who calls will provide for the need if His servant will obey.

The 40 men who pray

Graham had met Chaplain Bartholf, who told him of the 40 praying inmates. On a winter day, Graham -- along with Jim and Kaye Johns -- drove the 150 miles from Dallas to Gatesville to meet with that little band of men. It was a joyful meeting, with praise songs and testimonies and some instruction on the importance of prayer, regardless of circumstances.

As the meeting ended, Chaplain Bartholf -- new to the prison and new to Texas -- asked Jim and Kaye if they would return for six weeks of more intensive instruction in prayer. They agreed, and out of those weeks came a basic course in prayer -- "Learning to Pray" -- now being used throughout the Texas prison system.

That meeting also launched a chain of events leading to the first of a series of miracles.

Frank Graham challenged those 40 men to begin praying for a chapel at the Hughes Unit. They had been meeting each week in a small room (capacity about 100) with five services every Sunday. Many were turned away from each service for lack of space. The chapel would be theirs, and Graham said that it would be their responsibility to pray until God answered.

Prayer focuses on the chapel

The men responded. Focusing on the much-needed chapel, they prayed over the spot within the prison grounds where the chapel should be located. They welcomed other spiritual leaders to the prison. A tent revival was arranged for that summer on that spot.

Evangelist Kenneth Copeland and staff members of Kenneth Copeland Ministries participated in the tent revival. God began to work in Copeland’s heart as He had worked in the hearts of Frank Graham, Jim and Kaye Johns, Chaplain Bartholf, and the 40 men of prayer.

Within a few weeks, Graham was invited to a meeting with Copeland’s staff. They prayed and discussed what could be done. God moved, and in a matter of days a check for $300,000 was delivered to Chapels of Hope Ministries, adequate for the building of the chapel at the Hughes Unit.

God moves in the government

That was the beginning of miracles. Leaders at TDCJ, recognizing that existing methods for solving the crime problem are not working, elected to lend their support to Graham’s efforts. They began to consider seriously the impact that prison chapels could have on one of the major problems in any prison system -- recidivism (consistent return of convicted criminals into the system after they have served time for one offense.)

Solving the recidivism problem, they knew, would be a major step toward lessening the economic burden of maintaining the prisons of today. That is especially important in Texas, with the largest prison system in the free world (third in the world, behind Russia and China). Leaders of TDCJ stepped forward with a commitment to build new chapels with state funds, on the pattern established by Frank Graham and funded initially in Gatesville by Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

Churches and denominations across Texas joined the work in earnest, responding along with state prison officials. All agree that the ruinous crime problem will be solved only by changed lives. And only God can change lives.

Currently, state officials are committed to building seven new chapels from state funds. Christians are organizing to build five more. The goal of 100 new chapels, unattainable by human means, now seems more reachable.

It all started with 40 praying men, an obedient Frank Graham who answered the call of God, and a dedicated Chaplain Gene Bartholf. PrayerPower Ministries was privileged to be on hand to see God work His miracle. He is faithful to hear when His people obey, and pray.