May Ministry Spotlight: Prison Ministry
For several years, teams from Mount Hope have regularly worked and served alongside of local prison Chaplains at men's and women's facilities all around the Greater Boston area. These groups lead chapel services, pray for and with inmates, and bring the truth of the Gospel into a place where hope is often difficult to find.

Mount Hope member, Rev. Eddie Stewart is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God and leads the prison ministry that wants to love Christ and transform lives.

“Right now we go to the Framingham Correctional Institution for women every first Sunday of the month and we conduct a one hour service from 9 a.m.- 10 a.m.,” said Stewart. “We go to Middleton Correctional Institution for men every fourth Sunday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. We use to go to Bridgewater, Suffolk County Jail on Nashua Street, and Billerica. If we get more man power we’ll go back there because there’s a lot of open doors; the possibilities are endless.”

Stewart felt the call on his life to enter into prison ministry nearly 18 years ago.

“I have the heart of the evangelist and a built in burden to reach the lost,” shared Stewart. “I’m usually open to the opportunity to reach lost souls or people who have not yet been exposed to the Gospel. I came from a church background that the salvation of the lost was our heartbeat; it was our reason for living and breathing. So when the prison ministry presented itself it was an opportunity to take the gospel to a lost world.”

“Tremendous testimonies”

When asked what excites him the most about the prison ministry, Stewart said it is in the testimonies of the inmates.

“We really have some tremendous testimonies of prisoners who would not even come into chapel, to people who now come. Many have given their lives to Christ. One lady said to me, 'You and your team have been the best thing that has happened to me. I’ve been changed.' We’ve had many testimonies like that. People have been delivered from the dominance of sin. One inmate has said, 'Every week an angel walks into the prison.' So we’re really touched and it brings tears to my eyes and it just shows the power of the Holy Spirit and the impact it can have on peoples’ lives. I’m amazed and thrilled of seeing lives transformed and changed. It is a wonderful experience.”

And Stewart believes that what keeps the inmates coming back to the service is a practical message.

“I think in a lot of cases Christianity is being watered down and comprised. We go to the prison and we preach it like it is, practical and relevant – a God who is right here who wants a relationship with you. We don’t go through liturgy, we deliver the pure Gospel of Christ and truth will always set us free. We keep it light and real and we declare the truth and we’re not afraid to challenge people – this is the turning point in your life the decision you make today will determine your decisions tomorrow.”

Get involved

There is a monthly meeting from time to time to discuss the ministry, and ideas, and usually meets after one of the Sunday church services at Mount Hope.

“I think this ministry is a good way for a Christian to grow and develop in Christ,” shared Stewart. “So I encourage people to get involved to discover your gifting. The Lord equips you and gives you a boldness and a peace about it. But it’s a good ground for any type of Christian. Whatever your gifting is you can use it in this ministry. God will use you wherever you are and make you a blessing.”

If you would like to learn more about the prison ministry and get involved call the church office at 781-272-1014 and speak to Pastor Rick, or contact Rev. Eddie Stewart directly at sstarapple@aol.com or 781-273-9597.