Prison Ministry

Dr. Porter tells the story: “I was resting in the front bedroom in my house at 1986 29th Street, after I had returned home from Yale University. Mother and Dad were asleep in the rear bedroom. A rattling noise awakened me from sleep. When I opened my eyes, there was a little man about 3 feet tall, standing in the floor singing a song. He had a television screen in his chest. On the screen were lonely housewives, and a large number of men who were dressed in blue. In my mind, I wondered what all of this meant. It was then that the vision showed large fences with the writing, “State Prison”.  And, the little man was singing:

“I NEED SOMEBODY TO HELP ME”
Key: F
I need somebody to help me, help me to make it through.
I need somebody to help me, but it's nothing they can do.
I need somebody to carry my load, I need somebody here with me.
I need somebody to help me, but all they can do is just listen.  Listen!

I need somebody to help me, to carry my heavy load.
I need somebody to help me, to trust in His word.
I need somebody to hold my hand, I need somebody to lead me through the land;
I need somebody to take me there, but all they can do is just listen, Listen!

Nobody can help me! Nobody! Nobody can help me but the Lord!
I need somebody to help me, to find a brighter day.
1 need somebody to help me, to stay in this way.
You know my road seems long and my day seems dark; It's getting to bother me! And, it seems like I don't have a way to turn;
Nobody understands me.  All they can do is just listen.  Listen!

Nobody can help me!  Nobody! Nobody can help me but the Lord! ( 2xs)
Sometimes, you know, it's get a little hard, and (I need somebody to help me)
But, one thing I know I've got to seek Oh, God and (I need somebody to help me) Sometimes, so many things get in my way, and  (I need somebody to help me)
One thing I know I'm going to find a brighter day and  (I need somebody to help me)
Yes!  And I need somebody to help me. Yes!  And I need somebody to help me.
Yes!  And I need somebody to help me. Yes!  And I need somebody to help me.
But, all they can to do is just listen. LISTEN!

Since 1974, we have ministered in the prisons. Sometimes, day after day, three times a day, 28 consecutive days. Thousands of inmates, both women and men, have been helped by Dr. Henry Porter and Westcoast. The meetings are in no wise “average” or “usual”, but filled with challenges for a better life.  At this point in Westcoast History, several teams have been established to go.

Our team has visited Los Angeles County Jail, and Tehachapi prisons. We visited the inmates in the Turk and Caicos Islands.

Dr. Porter recounts, “I met a young man of about 18 years at the Rock (Union Correctional Institute in Raiford, Fl.) God told me to stick with the guy. I told the stranger those words. I had no idea of his offense or his time; but I did hear Jesus speak to me.” The young man and I exchanged correspondences. I visited the prison often to minister, and one day, the young inmate asked me, “What do you want? People make a lot of empty promises, but they don’t fulfill them.” I told him, God told me to stick with you. He said, “You don’t know me!” My answer was “AND”. I didn’t know the people who are working with me now, but we are working together.
Then, he thought he could stump me  by saying, “I’m in for murder 1. And, I am serving a mandatory quarter [25 year sentence]. So, you can tell me now that you don’t have the time, and I will understand. I didn’t want to get my hopes up high to be let down, and it’s best to know NOW, since I have 25 years to go. I told him, “God told me to stick with you, and I will. It means I will live for 25 years.”

After 10 or 11 years, he said, I think I’m beginning to believe you. He had accepted the LORD, and was baptized. He wrote often, and asked me if I would go to his hometown and meet his mother, and his fiancée who had his little sons. I had met his whole family.

Twenty-five years later, he walked into the door of the Westcoast Center for Human Development in Sarasota, Florida, a FREE MAN. He cried on that stage and thanked God. He was a changed man.

This is a true experience in Jesus, the Messiah. He doesn’t make just a mere modification, HE GIVES LIFE, NEW LIFE, and that MORE ABUNDANTLY.