The same text of Yeshua in Matthew 25, where He said “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me” continues with the words ” I was in prison and you came to me”. Many would think that prison is an unusual place to find Yeshua in. But, He’s definitely there. I discovered it 2015, when I received requests from two of our brothers in different prisons, asking if I would come and volunteer for their Jewish-Messianic groups there. The first place, Jackson CI, I was visiting since May 28th, coming there every Thursday noon for two hours of Worship, study and prayer. Then I added second prison, Bay CF (both places are in N. Florida). Since then I ministered in 14 prisons of Florida Department of Corrections.
Since we moved from Panhandle back to Central FL, I am now visiting some prisons here. We start our services with opening prayer, a few songs, using three song lists I’ve compiled to bring in there (I’m also allowed to bring there my harmonicas with holder and use their guitar). Then we proceed with current Torah portion study. Special thanks for Outreach Israel Ministries and Messianic Apologetics (and their generous supporters) for providing printed study materials. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to bring and use camera to show you what our services and our group there are looking like, but I’d like to share some parts of the testimonies guys wrote and gave me.
John, 59 (Life Sentence): “I grew up in the church and I’ve heard wonderful stories about Jesus… I began wondering what it means to be an authentic follower of Messiah in my daily life. Now today I’m a practicing Messianic… I can say I’m learning a lot weekly by seeing and talking with… Mr. Alexei Basarab”.
Rodriquez, 48 (30 Years Sentence): “I was in Islam belief from 1990 until 2013… I have studied the Holy Bible and couldn’t find any contradiction in it as I was led to believe by Islam. In 2013 I started asking God to show Himself to me that I may truly understand how to worship Him. I was introduced to Messianic belief and now I am a believer in our Messiah Yeshua. Islam is a false faith… As a born again believer, I know without a doubt I am called to live a life in the image of the Messiah Yeshua… I sincerely hope that Brother Alexei Basarab is getting the support he needs so he may continue to teach God… to us prisoners”.
Joshua, 36 (7 Years Sentence): “…Being in a gang at the age of 12… I was not a good person to be around, I didn’t even like myself. I was on drugs, trying to fill this void inside me. When it all became too much for me to handle I tried to commit suicide for the first time at the age of 14 to end the pain. When I came to prison in 2007 I met a Jewish inmate who introduced me to my Jewish heritage which led me to Judaism… But after a few years Judaism dimmed and everything became routine and slowly that void worked it’s way back into my life… My girlfriend Michelle… would tell me about Yeshua HaMashiach. One day when she came to see me, she asked if she could pray for me… When she started to pray for me it was as if the light inside me was relit. At first I was confused until Michelle told me that I could still be Jewish and have a Jewish heritage and believe in Y’shua HaMashiach as my personal Savior… Brother Alexei is a big step in my journey with Y’shua. Brother Alexei’s presence each week in a Jackson CI is such a blessing to our Messianic Congregation that to even try to put into words would be an injustice to what he really mean to us in our lives both physically and spiritually! His knowledge in the Word of God is fulfilling and his way of presenting Words and Teachings of Y’shua Hamashiach leaves us hungry for the following week so we can learn more! He is a true Brother in faith and makes us feel a part of a larger community… I prsy he is always able to come here and teach us Y’shua’s Word…”
Later I may add some more testimonies. The ones I included and many other’s I have are mostly very long, these guys are just pouring out their hearts and sincere desire to learn and grow spiritually.
Please, pray for me as I go there each week to minister to these dear souls and if your heart is moved please consider donating to this ministry. Just paying for printing supplies and traveling expenses sometimes looks like an enormous challenge, but I’m thankful to Aba for taking care and providing through faithful friends like you.
Shalom,
Bro. Alexei
Donation links:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/BASARAB
For other ways to donate. please contact us: info@solmi.org
When making donation, add a note “Prison Ministry” and we’ll use your donation to minister the brothers and sisters in prisons. Thank you!