Chaplain Will- Transforming the Prison

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Chaplain Will Olsen, from the Adams County Correctional Facility, was the guest speaker this past week. He ministers to male and female inmates, as soon as they make a request, with the intention of bringing souls into the Kingdom. He has led a remarkable 404 so far. He also counsels, ministers, and redirects lives back into the community once they are released.

It was helpful to me to know how he goes about doing this: by responding quickly, being led by the Holy Spirit, discerning hearts through the same Spirit, treating inmates with respect and dignity, making personal connections, and expecting the Holy Spirit to work through him. He also has a captive audience, most of whom recognize that they need help. But probably the most helpful thing he said, at least for me, had to do with the statement he made concerning evangelizing: "Get over the hump...Just do it!"

Chaplain Will faces many challenges: raising his own funds; getting local churches involved; getting volunteers; trying to organize events; trying to meet the spiritual needs of the inmates and staff; AND being a loving husband and dad. I wonder if some of these challenges could be alleviated by having a part-time chaplain (if there is such a thing) or perhaps a well-organized volunteer (or two or three) who could take on some of these tasks (i.e making phone calls or sending out requests for financial support, taking care of banquet details, arranging meetings, updating information on his website, etc.) so that Chaplain Will can better minister to the inmates, staff, and his family?