Easter Greetings from Chaplain Meyer! I joined GraceInside in 2017 as the chaplain of Coffeewood Correctional Center. In January, I stepped into a new role with GraceInside as Executive Director, following Randy Myers’ retirement after 18 years with our ministry. (We wish him a very happy retirement!)
One of the privileges I have in my new role is visiting our team of chaplains across Virginia. Recently, Chaplain Vera Rhyne invited me to visit State Farm for a baptism service, and she asked me to share a brief message. I decided to share about a testimony I heard at a baptism service held at Coffeewood on December 31, 2023. On that night, I spoke to the gathered church about how the early Christians would usually take a new name upon being baptized as a way of reminding everyone of their new life in Christ. Having died to their sinful nature and former ways, they are now raised to new life in Christ, and a name change reflected this. Before being baptized, one of the men at Coffeewood shared a brief testimony with the church about how he had gotten his prison nick-name of “Blue 4,” (names changed) which was a carryover from his time in the Army. He then looked at the 100+men gathered at the Coffeewood church, pointed to the baptismal pool, and said “Blue 4 dies tonight. I want you all to now call me John.” Yes, John understood, and I believe these 8 men understand, their life is now found in the life of the Risen Christ.
One chaplain recently commented in an email “grace makes even a prison holy ground.” For those of you who have worshiped with one of our chaplains in the prison church, served with Kairos, participated in a Prison Fellowship program, observed a baptism, or volunteered in any number of ways, you have seen it for yourself: grace can indeed transform the least likely of places, even prison, into sacred, holy ground. There is so often a palpable joy among our incarcerated brothers and sisters who have found new life and a new identity in the Risen Lord. On Easter, we are especially mindful that the power of sin and death has been overcome: “Who the son sets free, is free indeed.”
I am grateful and humbled to be part of such a dynamic ministry. It has been a pleasure to learn more about our supporters, partners, praying friends, and especially to work more closely with our amazing team of chaplains. Please pray for us as we remember those in prison on behalf of the wider church.
To him be glory in the church forever!
Chaplain Nick Meyer, Executive Director