How Will You Remember Us?

Can you imagine going weeks, months, and even years without being able to meet with other like-minded believers to worship God, share in the Lord’s Supper, and fellowship? For many New Testament Christians, including myself, this is our experience and reality in prison. 

The writer of Hebrews commands us to “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself” (Hebrews 13:3 NLT used throughout). I want to direct your attention to the word “remember.” How do you want to be remembered? No, I’m not talking about when you die and how people will remember your life’s legacy. What I’m talking about is when you are going through difficulty, trials, and suffering, in what way do you want someone to remember you? Do you want them to simply think about you from time to time and never actually do anything for you, or would you want them to do something tangible that could help you? Wouldn’t it mean more if someone came to visit you in your difficulty rather than just thinking about you? 

This verse in Hebrews reminds me of Joseph. Joseph was in prison after being falsely accused of a crime. Joseph interpreted the dream of his fellow prison mate, the Pharaoh’s cupbearer, prophesying that he would be restored to his former position of service. He asked the cupbearer, “Please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh so that he might let me out of this place” (Genesis 40:14). 

Joseph did not want the cupbearer to only keep him in mind, but to actively do something for his well-being. Isn’t that what we all want when we are suffering and in a difficult situation? How wonderful it is when someone cares enough about us to do something to relieve our suffering. They may call or text us. They may send us a card or a letter, or even come to see us. When we are down and struggling with life’s pain, we don’t need someone to walk by and look down on us and say, “You will be in my thoughts today — hope all is well!” We need someone who will lie down on the ground, reach down, and pull us out. 

There is a much-needed ministry to remember those of us who are in prison. This is especially true in the area of sound doctrine. For us, who are Church of Christ and Christians only, we are not recognized by the Maryland Department of Corrections (DOC). The DOC has classified the nondenominational Church of Christ under the broad “Protestant” heading. I have been incarcerated in two separate prisons and attended the protestant worship services in both facilities. These services are primarily faith-only and evangelical in nature. The DOC allows outside preachers to speak at these worship services. I have yet to see even one Restoration Movement preacher in my ten years of incarceration. I wish this were not true, but sadly, this is the reality. This is a serious problem for us Christians who are locked up but desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. There is a great need for sound teaching that will strengthen our faith. Also, what about the other countless men who are lost, deceived, and hungry for the truth? They need the whole counsel of God. 

I have been blessed with four relationships with strong men of faith: my father (Jeffrey McKinney Sr.), my spiritual father (David Frye), my uncle (Clyde McKinney), and my former youth minister and friend (Leo Lavin). These men have helped me find my way back to the truth when I was led astray by false teachers at the beginning of my incarceration. These men showed me what genuine Christian love looks like. They taught me and helped me understand sound doctrine. They have sent me thousands of dollars not only to meet my needs but to fund my ministry behind bars. They have sent me countless books and other Christian reading material to help me grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. They have accepted my phone calls and text messages and visited me in person so we can fellowship. I get to see and speak with these men frequently, but this is not the reality for countless other Christian men and those who are searching for the truth behind bars. Those men are at the mercy of only what is available to them. 

I have made great attempts to reach men with the true gospel, but I am only one person and can only have contact with a small percentage in comparison to the overall prison population. There is a tremendous need for the message and ministry of the Restoration Movement in prison. False teaching abounds here! 

Considering this, how will you remember us? Are you a preacher who can sacrifice one Sunday a month or perhaps one Sunday every three months to go into a jail or prison and preach the whole counsel of God? Are you a follower of Christ who enjoys writing? Would you consider writing an encouraging, faith-filled, truth-grounded letter for someone behind bars? What is your spiritual gift, and how could you use it to remember us who are behind bars? The need is so great. 

In His parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus prophesied about the great, white throne of judgment that takes place at the end of the world. He said, “‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me’” (Matthew 25:35-40).  

This text is most often applied to the unsaved, but Jesus said, “These are my brothers and sisters.” Christians like me and others, too, would greatly benefit from the brotherhood churches remembering us as though in prison with us. How will you remember us?