It seems like many, many years ago, while I was working at a local Community College, I had felt impressed of the Lord Jesus Christ that I would be resigning soon.  I enjoyed my job and didn't want to leave, but since God did, I would obey. Several months later, I was told by an acquaintance who was a Lieutenant at a prison that I should take the acceptance exam for Corrections Officer at a state prison facility located nearby. I didn't want to work there because I'd heard about the stigma concerning Correctional Officers and we, as Christians, are "called to peace" 1 Corinthians 7:15.  After pondering over the suggestion, I decided that it would be interesting to know how I might do on their exams... Just for curiosity, of course. In 1982, I mailed my application and eventually took the tests.  Many months later, I received notice that I earned only 89% on the exam.  Since the qualifying score was 90%, I was somewhat disheartened by this but I kept a positive attitude, knowing that Christ had everything in control. About a year after taking the test, I received a letter from the Department of Corrections asking me to come in for a physical.  They had lowered the minimum test score requirements.  I thought on the possibilities for a while and decided that maybe the Lord might have something to do with it.  I simply prayed, "Lord, if it is your will for me to be working in a prison, allow me to pass my physical."  I prayed this prayer even though I didn't really want to work in such a place, because I am a peaceful man. After taking my physical, one of the Captains took us on a tour of that particular facility.  I was a bit embarrassed when I heard all the 'jeers' and 'catcalls' from the inmates.  I'd never had anything like this happen before.  We proceeded through the jail, the Captain called out the 'key numbers' for each of the many grills.  "Here's a 14 grill, and this is a 13 grill and that one is an 18 grill...", How was I to remember all of them. The Captain led us into what they called S.U., or the 'Security Unit.'  This is where they housed those who were severe troublemakers and the worst problem inmates.  The walls were, I believe, steel and concrete.  Doors to the cells were two inch thick and they would pass food trays.  This slot had its own 1/4 inch thick steel door with a lock. As I passed one of the cell doors, the inmate inside kicked the door which caused an extremely loud echo of steel against all the steel in this enclosed housing unit.  I was amazed that on the outside I remained steadfast and calm while on the inside, I disintegrated instantaneously. I felt strange being in Rec Halls with convicted criminals.  Men like mass murderers, rapists, thieves, etc.  Many of these men would have no second thought of killing me, I thought. After all was done, I had gone home and waited. About a week later, I received a phone call from the personnel at the prison saying they wanted me to begin work the next week.  I thought, "Lord, I don't want be there," and was thunderstruck to hear myself say emphatically, "Yeah, sure!" "Now why did I go and say that?" I thought.  "I didn't want to work there.  Am I losing my mind?" The answer to these questions came several weeks later. I had been working in the jail about two weeks when another officer stuck his head in my office door and obnoxiously asked, "Hey, Snurr!  Are you a Christian?" Thinking it was about time to verbally tell someone about Christ, I smiled in all my Christian innocence, and began testifying, saying, "Yeah, I got saved.... " By this time the man had already stormed down the corridor. I didn't think about it moments earlier, but that was a trick question.  There was no way for me to answer it without a problem.  I wasn't sure what it all meant, until I realized that the other officer no longer wanted to associated with me.  Many of the officers came to totally despise me and treated me accordingly. I discovered that I didn't have to say anything up to that point.  My beacon of Christianity was shining bright enough.  They had suspected that I was a Child of God and only wanted to be sure.  Of course, they found out. I've always been one who enjoyed having friends and acquaintances with whom I could fellowship on the job.  I just enjoy socializing while I work.  I especially enjoy talking about my Lord Jesus Christ. I was swiftly forced to become a loner.  I was hurt by this rejection, so I went to my "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24).  I'd gone to Jesus in prayer. The officers who would speak to me in a civil manner declared that within one year I would be as foul-mouthed as any of them.  Of course, I told them that I have Christ on my side and that I don't have to become anything that is not Christ-like. The Word says that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Now if I can do all things, then I can be victorious in not allowing my language to go sour.  I could do it since Christ is my strength for He said that when I am weak, He is my strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). They quickly disagreed with me and wanted to make wagers to that effect.  I told them that I have no desire to prove myself, and besides, I wouldn't want to take all their money. I soon became exasperated over their treatment.  Back to my dearest friend I go and I prayed, "Why, Lord, must I go through this?  I know You had put me in this place, but why?" He gave me His answer in the form of a question.  It was all made worthwhile when He impressed upon me the question that asks, "Where will the light of Christ shine brightest than in the darkest place on the face of the earth?"  There was my answer!  Prison!  There was a mission field there on both sides of the bars. When I began working there I found maybe 12 Christian Correctional Officers On all three shifts.  During the six and one-half years I spent there, I saw people in the jail grow spiritually.  When I began work there I found about six or eight Believers on the three shifts among the officers and other staff.  If there were more they were well hidden.  When I left the prison, I found nearly twenty-five on the day shift alone who claimed salvation. Also, I noticed the inmate church services grow from about twenty or so when I began, to as many as sixty when I left.  I was part of a massive revival within those prison walls. I found inmates who were by far, more free than most of those who lived outside the fences and razor-wire. This, to me, is great proof that the freedom Paul spoke of in Acts 16:25-28 was wonderful indeed.  Paul was sitting in the deepest part of the prison with Silas, but they had freedom so great inside the prison that they had no need to run off.  Though they were bound in chains, they were living in complete liberty, for Christ had made them free, and they were free indeed (Galatians 5:1; John 8:36).