41 Inmates ‘Released’ From Behind Bars In Bossier Parish

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist message staff member

BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) — Cedric Davis was booked into the Bossier Parish Maximum Facility in April, but just two months later, the 45-year-old, convicted of simple burglary, was given a permanent stay of a clerical death sentence.

“Satan left and Jesus came into my body,” an ecstatic Davis told the Baptist message.

Davis responded to an invitation to the gospel from Kyle Williams, a Louisiana Baptist evangelist from Zarephath and a religious volunteer at the prison. Davis was one of 41 inmates who decided to follow Christ during a visit to the prison by a team of 25 on June 29.

During the morning, the volunteers visited different dormitories to pray and share the Gospel with the prisoners.

Williams (a member of Willow Point Baptist Church in Shreveport) and other local pastors will visit the 41 inmates weekly and disciple them.

“These men who made decisions are no longer bound by sin and are forgiven for all unrighteousness,” said Williams, who has been visiting inmates at the prison since 2010. “For the believer, leading someone to Christ is the pinnacle. It doesn’t get any better than this side of heaven. What a blessing to see men pass from death to life.”

An inmate raises his hands during a prayer time at Bossier Parish Maximum Facility. Photo by Brian Blackwell

De’Ongelo Smith, a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ringgold, an inmate he befriended years ago, was grateful to see such inmates now growing in their relationship with the Lord.

“This day was for the glory of God,” Smith said. “I am grateful that I was able to be a part of this alongside mighty men of God, as we were given the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“It wasn’t about me or any of us,” he continued. “It was about Christ being glorified.”

Bradley Huie, a member of First Baptist Church in Haughton, said his favorite part of the day was when he and other team members prayed for an inmate who had just decided to accept Christ.

“The Great Commission tells us to disciple ourselves and share the Word,” he said. “It was encouraging to see a prisoner get his heart right and hopefully he will grow in his new life with Christ and bring glory to God.”