After seven years in Japan, Luisito returned to the Philippines, joining the 1000 Missionary Movement, where he was assigned to Occidental Mindoro. What a change! From living a life of plenty, he was plunged into a hard life and “hand to mouth” existence. But in his heart, he knew he would much rather be working for the Lord, helping people change their lives in faith, than making his own life easy in business.

Luisito met a young woman, Loida Caagbay, who shared his dreams for God, and soon they pledged their lives together in service in God’s vineyard.

At the close of his contract with the 1000 Missionary Movement, Pastor Jorge Panghulan (Occidental Mindoro Coordinator) asked Luisito to take over the district Prison Ministry. From that day, Luisito’s focus and mission became the people behind bars in three sub-penal colony farms.

“It is a great challenge to be in the ‘Island’ of lonesome people who have been parted from civilization and family because of their wrong decisions in the past,” he says. The three colonies that Luisito serves lie at the foot of the mountains, in rough areas once considered virgin forest.

Hard labor combined with homesickness, boredom and guilt make the inmates irritable so they quarrel most of the time. Some of these men even commit suicide to escape their seemingly hopeless condition. But today many are praising God that even the rusty prison bars cannot hold back the power of the Gospel. God has sent “Brother Louie,” as the inmates have affectionately named him, to be the carrier of the Good News. He also ministers to their other needs, like providing postage stamps for those who can’t afford to mail letters home, used clothing, soap, medicines, and other very basic needs.

Brother Louie finds full support and cooperation with the officials in the three penal farms he ministers to. Perhaps sceptical at first that the inmates were only attracted to the free materials and not to the gospel, prison officials can now see the difference in the men who have been converted to Christ through Brother Louie’s efforts. Many are no longer resentful of their situation and quarrelsome with the other inmates. They have met Jesus behind bars, and He has set their minds and hearts free. Brother Louie shares his own and the testimonies of some of his brothers behind bars:

Once a Missionary—Always a Missionary

“I can still remember the phrase that I learned from the 1000 Missionary Movement a couple of years ago: “Once a missionary, always a missionary.” That never fading phrase gives me great enthusiasm today to be a part of the finishing of God’s great work.

“Being a Prison Ministry worker for a year and a half, I have found that God never leaves me in time of need, danger and affliction. He’s always there. The heavy security measures and even the rusty and rough prison bars did not serve as hindrances to continue the ministry of the gospel of Christ in three rural penal farms in the prison system of Occidental Mindoro. I am thankful to God that we have been able to accomplish a lot in meeting the needs of our inmate brethren, especially in the spiritual aspect.

“I would like to tell you of some of the brethren behind bars and how they have changed after learning of God’s love for them, and accepting Jesus as their personal Savior:

‘I praise God that the Seventh-day Adventists have reached us and taught us of the saving power of Jesus as it is taught in the Bible. I saw a better future when you surrendered myself to God. We can transcend life in the prison walls of suffering because joy floods our souls.’

‘I am no longer guilty of the crimes that I committed because Jesus paid the penalty with His precious blood. While trapped behind prison walls I’ve discovered the study of the Bible and learned about the Sabbath. I want to thank the Seventh-day Adven-tists for providing some of our material needs, and showing that Jesus really does care for us. Now that Jesus is in my heart, I can be a living witness to bring more souls to His feet.’

“Recently, we discovered the potential of some inmate brethren for sharing the Gospel. We believe with a little training they will be able to evangelize their fellow inmates from inside the prison walls. Many of them have discovered their talents in praying, singing and preaching.

“We thank the Lord for the work that is going on inside of hearts that are inside of prisons. We also thank those who make it possible for Laymen Ministries to support the prison ministry work in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. May we work faithfully together to hasten the Lord’s return.”

From Storekeeper to Dynamic Preacher

“I would also like to introduce you to someone who is willing to be a part in finishing the preaching of the Gospel, and who is willing to volunteer and devote his time for God’s service.

“Just such a man is Brother Bohboy, in his early 20’s, and an active member of a small church in San Francisco, Sablayan. A hard working storekeeper during the week and faithful in church attendance on Sabbath, God brought Prison Ministries to the attention of Brother Bohboy. He began asking, ‘What is Prison Ministry all about?’

“As he learned, he became more and more interested, and finally decided to attend the Sabbath services Brother Louie conducts in the three farm prisons. As he watched the inmates singing praises to God and sharing their diverse talents in worship, he was impressed. ‘I can’t believe that these people, who made such wrong decisions in the past, were changed by the marvelous saving power of God’s word!’ he exclaimed.

“In the year and a half since that day, Brother Bohboy has been a consistent and dedicated supporter of the Prison Ministry. He even provides some of the material goods the prisoners need from his personal finances. His greatest joy has become sharing the goodness of the Lord with these inmate brethren. ‘I am very thankful to the Lord that the Prison Ministry helps me develop the talents that He has imparted to me,’ he says in delight.

“Like Brother Bohboy, many youth express the desire to serve God wholeheartedly. We pray that the Prison Ministry may serve as a training ground in developing the witnessing talents of preaching, singing and praying in our dedicated youth and brethren. God has answered this prayer in Brother Bohboy and others, who want to serve ‘even the least of these.’”

By Luisito Benitez
Brother Benitez writes from the Philippines, where he conducts prison ministry, sponsored by Laymen Ministries.

Brother Louie (standing front row, right ) with one of the groups of prisoners he studies with on a weekly basis. Brother Bohboy, one of Louie's faithful helpers, stands to the left of the front row.