It has been my priviledge to work side by side with Dr. Paul Morris. He is a remarkably gifted communicator whose teaching has made and continues to make a profound impact on thousands. The message he conveys of God’s love and human redemption is one that I sincerely believe to be ordained for these times (1978-1981).

-- Charles W. Colson
Special Counsel for
President Richard M. Nixon and
Founder of Prison Fellowship

For a period of three years, I was priviledged to work for Charles W. Colson’s ministry to inmates in prisons throughout the United States and Canada. You may know of this ministry: It is called ‘Prison Fellowship.’ It is the largest, and hands down, the most powerful and effective ministry to prison inmates and their families that I have ever seen.

As National Training Director, I was responsible for all of the in-prison seminars as well as the special two-week program in Washington, D.C. where inmates were allowed to attend and return to their institutions as representatives of Jesus Christ. There were a number of seminar instructors. I was far from the only one. It was a heavy responsibility and one in which I was blessed and overjoyed to participate.

What follows are comments from inmates who attended the in-prison seminars, as well as those of local community members who participated in the seminars along with us.

Disclaimer: There are many very kind comments made about me in what you will read here. In fact, so much so, that I am a little embarrassed to share them.

Please be advised: I was just God’s representative which He used to minister to the personal and spiritual needs of these precious men and women. All of this happened many years ago. As I happened to be going through my files of those days, I was amazed and stunned in retrospect, at how God was able to use the likes of me to sow his love and his word to these men who so need the love and acceptance of Jesus.

But then, I am reminded that God used a prophet’s jackass in the the Hebrew Scriptures to speak to Balaam, the prophet, and straighten him out (Numbers 22:28). So, if God can speak to men through the mouth of a jackass, perhaps he can use the likes of me as well, although it likely was more of a challenge.

My motivation in including this on the website was the thought that my visitors might be able to witness for themselves, the power of the love of God. This powerful love were for men and women, some of whom committed heinous crimes, yet God still loves them and makes room for them (See Matthew 25:36). This can make all of us feel blessed and appreciative of his love and ministry to each of us.

Just know in your heart that if God used me to speak to the hearts of these men, it was all of God – not me. He is to be glorified, not me. Me and Balaam’s ass -- two birds of a feather.

-- Paul D. Morris

From Community Participants . . .

Dear Paul,

"What a blessing we receive when Jesus sends us one of his anointed. May the Lord lend you to others who so desperately need to know that they are not alone. Someone does care. Paul, I sit and listen to you and I am just in awe of your awareness of the little things about people, places and things that our beloved God has given here on earth for us to do, see and just be! The prisons will be a little bit better because you are there and give your heart to God’s children. I am glad you were willing to let God use you. I get excited when I see men become as little children and find out someone really does care and that they are going to make it.

Have a safe trip home,"

Your sister in Jesus,

-- Tess

Dear Paul,

"Just a short note to let you know how much I thank the Lord for you and the time we spent together. I know that you receive many praises, but I would just like to add mine.

I see you as the Apostle Paul, traveling from town to town (prison to prison) preaching and teaching about our God. May God continue to bless you richly, and if I could be of assistance to you with your ministry, please don’t hesitate to call."

-- Ed A.

-- Stephen V.

Brief Inmate Responses to the Seminar . . .

We are still ‘on fire’ from the seminar and you can believe we’ve seen four homosexuals and one man on drugs come to Jesus this past week. God is really moving in here now. I know God was with us before the seminar, but the men show that they have Jesus, now.

-- Frank T.

I used to think that I would never like anyone or care for anyone ever again. I’ve always thought that I would hate and keep on hating people until I just burst with nothing but pure hate. My first day at the seminar myheart was cold as ice and as mean as a mad animal of some kind, but the good people like the instructor and volunteers game me something to think about.

When you gave me the chance to really find out there are a few people who can care about a person like myself, then I knew that it was time to change my ways and thoughts about people in general. I have built my life into a more positive life before but there’s no life more complete than to have someone care for you, and then to have God’s care.

-- James V.

It was nice having you’re here to help us at _____ prison. Only eternity will be able to tell the real story of how much we were helped. I know I growed a few miles myself.

-- James M.

I have been higher than a kite all week since the seminar took place, and it is the most beautiful feeling in the world – being high on Jesus.

The brothers here salute you and thank you for the most beautiful and spiritual thing that could have happened here, and I am speaking of the seminar.

-- Paul G.

I thought I knew what love and true fellowship was about until God sent you to us to demonstrate in power what true agape love is and what it can do. I believe many great things will be taking place here soon.

It gives me great joy to see what Prison Fellowship is doing. I learnt a lot about love and what it was all about.

-- Larry H.

For 26 years I have lived a life of pure anguish. Today, now, as I sit in my cell, I have such a feeling of peace and love. I thank our Lord for wanting me, loving me, and forgiving me . . . Your seminar started a spark in many of our lives and this flame will never die.

-- Richard Y.

I can only describe that entire week as a thoroughly abundant feast of Christian love and joy.

-- Kenneth S.

This week was a wonderfully uplifting week . . . became a turning point in my life affecting me deeply, emotionally, spiritually and quite apparently, physically. Last December at a clinic in _____ county jail, I was examined regarding a profound ear infection. The attending physician took an audioscope and examined both ears. He found what he called ‘prolific scarring of the lympanic membrane’ in my right ear. The scarring was ‘irreversible.’

This afternoon at 2:00 p.m., I was examined by two audiological specialists here at _____ prison. After a thorough examination the doctor looked quizzically at me and said, “I thought you said you couldn’t hear too well.”

I thought I had noticed a bit of change in the last two days, but wasn’t sure. He told me . . . “There was no sign of any scarring involving that ear drum.” In fact, both of my ears were physically clear of any damage and there was no indication that I had experienced a ‘permanent audiological trauma.”

--Kent Z.

I have seen and heard you in a week’s time, things that has taken me a whole year and a half to learn. Bless the whole Chuck Colson team. Only God can give us an answer they are such concerned and lovable people.

-- Rodney R.

You have played a significant part in my life in knowing the will of God.

-- Joe P.

I was sitting next to this black man and you made a point in your inimitable fashion and he laughs, slaps his knee as says, “I love that man!”

Just a word to let you know how meaningful the seminar was to me. In fact, it completely immobilized me for a while. I was on a real think, feel, think trip. The seminar has added a real important dimension to my life.

-- Bob H.

I have had many inspiring, spiritual experiences in my past. Except for the night when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, none of them can compare with the joy felt during this seminar.

It opened our hearts to love that flowed without reservation, and is still at work among all of us here.

-- Michael S.

This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

During the first day of this prison ministry, I felt the Lord’s presence. My spirit moved. My guilt feelings were washed away. I was burdened with them for months, even though I prayed asking God to wash them away, they kept me in a state of depression, yet I walked, thought and kept myself busy in a righteous manner. God surely tests our faith in his own manner. His reasons are not for us to question, and I didn’t, because I know in his time they would be washed away. Praise God!

For the first time in my life I can be honest with myself, and with God. I am a born again Christian. Thank you, Lord.

Praise the Lord for his kindness, for giving his only begotten Son who shed his blood for the sins of a sinner such as myself. We glorify your name.

May you be remembered in prayer by many for your righteousness in doing the work of a disciple.

-- Phillip R.

That we might worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of the Lord. Strengthen with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffereing.

Paul, may I say that it has been a great time and I thank God for you and all that he has taught you by his glorious Spirit of Truth, wherein he has made you a faithful minister of the Gospel of our Lord.

Your ways have been explained by my ways. My Spirit has been peaceful among you. You are quite excellent my son. You have brought much glory to me. The apostleship I gave you has brought forth a hundredfold, thou good and faithful servant. I have set you before me since the first day I set your feet upon my holy presence. You have fulfilled my ways and have been wise in your decisions. The riches I have shown you have filled your heart to the uttermost, my son.

For this could only be for a man of God, whose glory shines from the foundation of all in all, that filleth all in all.

That you have comprehended with all the saints what is the depth and height, and breadth and length that the Lord Jesus Christ which passeth knowledge that you are filled with the goodness of God.

God I ask that this son of yours would have a full revelation of Christ Jesus. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you know what is the hope of his calling and what riches of your glory is the inheritance of all the saints.

Thanks for the profound truths of God’s Word, and for revealing them in such an understanding way. I agree with you in your search for God’s face. May I say he will fill you to depths unspeakable. I pray the very divine presence of the Almighty God reveal to you his most profound wisdom and knowledge.

I love you for being the man of God you are. I, too, am a man of God seeking his most precious face. May we share all of his riches and glory, thou man of God.

-- David B.

Praise God! Since the first of this month, you now have 10 new brothers in Christ! Our Lord is sure moving on hearts inside these walls.

A profound, lasting effect has settled on the Christian brothers here at _____. The predominant sensation for a lot of us was one of being ‘stunned.’

-- Robert H.

Teaching in the seminar did bring me out of my low. I need the reassurance of God’s love and the seminar did nuts that. I will be equipped to better help myself and my fellow inmates.

-- Jonas P.

The seminar taught me that it is time we accept the freedom we have in Jesus and to walk in the praise of the Father that we are righteous in his eyes through Christ, and lay aside all ideas of judgment and condemnation, and to get rid of the fear and the lies that our mind tells us, and to walk in the love of the Father who says, we are his children.

I just wanted you to know that the seeds planted are already growing and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

-- Jay S.

Well, it has been a great day today. I just got back from the chapel and excitement is in the air. It is really hard to remember the times of trouble we have had here because last week’s seminar was so great. The accomplishments in the hearts will never really be known to the fullest extent.

The attitude of acceptance of the program has really been good. I have been back through the notes and found a great wealth of information on what a really well-balanced Christian program can do here in this prison.

-- Norman K.

I really didn’t know how to express the seminar opened my eyes and my mind.

-- Andrew D. (Black Muslim)

Since the seminar left this place has really undergone some terrific changes in the whole atmosphere and I can tell that the changes are for the better and are here to stay. The program was a tremendous success!

-- Jason R. (Black Muslim)

I am taking this opportunity to let you know of the benefits I received from the seminar. You are carrying a great responsibility and every encouragement should be given you. If the people of this prison would live up to the things taught in this seminar, there would be little or no use for the existence of prisons.

-- Ronald T. (Black Muslim)

How much I appreciated the sensible and scriptural low-key presentation of the claims of Christ – and then stepping back out of the way to allow the Holy Spirit to do what he alone can do.

-- Mike C.

Wanted to write and express my deepest appreciation for the seminar. You will never know how much it meant to me. I’ve been in this place since 1969, so I have a good basis on which to form a judgment concerning the value of the seminar to the inmates. I believe the seminar provides a solid foundation on which one may base his future. If we follow even part of the knowledge you gave us, a condition of rehabilitation has to take place! That knowledge combined with the love of Christ seems to me a sure formula for happy and successful living.

Our seminar provided a new situation for this institution. Never before have the authorities permitted such a large level of community participation and I think it is fantastic. If any group can provide an answer for genuine rehabilitation, it is the Christian community.

Again, let me thank you for the seminar. I will never forget the wonderful love demonstrated by everyone involved. Believe me, there were a number of inmates with tears in their eyes. The full impact of those hugs and words may never be known to us, but I cannot say enough of what all this has meant to me.

-- Tom F.

I have been sitting here trying to think of a way to tell you how much the seminar meant to me. Thank you for caring.

Timothy W.

-- Morris N.

I’ve had a long and difficult life in my 31 years. But until the past week, I never fully realized that God was seeing me through. I have come to understand how to deal with a lot of problem areas that have been giving me a hassle through the seminar. You might be interested in knowing that a group of men have decided to meet for three hours each Saturday to continue this work.

-- Frank I.

I’m talking to more people in a positive way and have gained an understanding of how they feel and think. I have committed my life completely to Christ. I have asked God to take charge of my life and whatever it takes. I want a heart after his own.

-- Darrel L.

For the first time in my Christian life, I know what the love of Christ is and have made a full commitment of my life to him. The past 91/2 years have not been easy for me. However, today I can praise the Lord for each struggle and heartache. Because of them I have grown.

I praise God for vessels willing to be filled, such as my cellmate, who had just returned from the Washington, D.C. two-week program. He tells me now that he has been praying for me for as long as he has known me.

Tuesday night, I was very troubled as the Lord started showing me all the ways I have hurt him in the past eight years. The inner struggle along with my cellmate at my side praying got to be too much for me and for the first time in years I broke down in tears like a baby. I rededicated my whole body, mind and soul to use according to his will for the rest of my life.

-- Paul U.

Dr. Morris was truly an inspiration to those of us in attendance, and related to us in a very human way. I know that all of us there came away spiritually stronger and healther than before. Many believe that the rest of their will be bettered as a result of what transpired this week.

Dr. Morris asked us to find a ‘laughing place,’ somewhere a person can take time out to reflect on and find answers to who you are, where you’re heading and what you want to do. His answer was simple, “Love! Ask God to create the desire in you to be absorbed in his fullness.”

-- Prison Newsletter

Dear Paul,

I greet you in the name of my personal Friend, Jesus Christ. I am happy to write and let you know I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, and am now praying for God’s will to be done in my life. I want to thank you for your part in helping me come to know Jesus. I love you brother, and I need your prayers that I may do whatever God’s will is for me to do.

I want to come to Washington someday and see you and share some time praising God together. We only spent a few minutes together but I felt a very great love from you and I want you to know I praise God for the Christian man that you truly are. But more than this I am proud to be able to say that Paul Morris is my brother in Christ.

It’s not going to be easy and I can do nothing, but I have taken it to Jesus and where he leads me I will follow. I want to know as much as I can about your work because if it’s the Lords will I want to do whatever I can to help in any way I can.

Paul, I just want to serve the Lord and do whatever I can to help others find Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I am going to help each man here who has accepted Jesus. I was the leader of evil in here for nine years. Now I want to be a leader for Jesus and undo some of the wrong I’ve done.

Convicts, guards and my superiors haven’t accepted my accepting Jesus because what I have done in here is so wrong. But I will pray God will use me as a good example of what the Lord can do for people as low and untrue as I was. I have been lower than the scum of the earth, but tonight, Praise God, I am saved and I love Jesus Christ.

This seminar ministry for prisoners has been a very inspiring experience, and without it I would not be proclaiming Jesus tonight. I may be in prison but I am not locked up anyore. I have been set free from a world of sin and hate and I thank God for saving my soul.

Whem you see Chuck, please tell him that the prison seminar turned the meanest guy at _____ into a humble servant of Jesus Christ. It brought a lot more than me to Christ and I praise God for this, too. God is working here at _____, and I am glad to be a part of it.

God bless you, brother. I just want you to know I love you and I appreciate you, man.

Gerald S.

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