By Buck Jorgenson, Saints missionary-athlete
Last month, while visiting the Federal Correctional Complex at Oakdale (LA), our Federal Team had a unique opportunity; to share a meal on Saturday with the inmate team we’d be playing against on Sunday. This unexpected time wasn’t just about food – it was about fellowship and reflecting the love of Christ in an informal setting. We spent hours connecting, laughing, and sharing stories. Many of the prisoners opened up about their faith, and I was deeply moved to learn that their team included a strong group of committed, Bible-believing Christians.
The men I was sitting with shared testimonies of over 20 confirmed miraculous healings. When we returned on Sunday, I met a few of those men, including a Jewish Christian who had been healed of thyroid cancer. His story was incredible; the doctors only discovered he was cancer-free after surgery, and he had the scar to prove it.
But the weekend took a personal turn for me. After leaving the facility on Saturday, I received news that my father’s health had declined significantly. While I had been preparing for this moment, having spent meaningful time with him in recent weeks, the reality of his condition weighed heavily on my heart.
Sunday morning, while warming up before the game and chatting with one of the inmates named Dallas, I shared what was going on with my dad. Without hesitation, Dallas called over a few other inmates and together they prayed over me.
Let me pause here: I’ve ministered to many inmates over the years. I’ve prayed with them, encouraged them, and walked alongside them in faith. But this was different. This time, they ministered to me. These men – incarcerated, yet full of the Spirit – laid hands on me and prayed for my father, for my family, and for me to glorify God through this trial.
It was real. It was raw. It was Holy Spirit-led.
For me, this trip was unlike any other. Every visit means something, but this one was unforgettable. The love, the prayers, and the presence of God through these men touched me deeply. I’ve been sharing this story with everyone I can. It’s a testament to how God moves in unexpected places and through unexpected people.
