“Holy Magic” in Prison

NOTE: Timothy’s Gift is a unique prison outreach ministry that takes a group of professional musicians and support people on week-long tours into prisons. In December of 2023 the 27th such tour concluded and again the letters received from those reached reflect the ‘holy magic’ of the visits.

What is the holy magic of a Timothy’s Gift Tour? What happens that inspires so many who attended a 90-minute program to write with comments like these?

“Singing & playing music is the language of the heart and a way of expressing inner joy, praises, worship, love, longing, and thanksgiving to God. It also encourages and builds each other up. I will ALWAYS be reminded of God’s love through your love for us because it has sparked a light of Hope that can and will endure all things!”

“Your visit was only a few hours, but it was such a blessing. It was the best service I have ever experienced in my 32 years of incarceration. Believe it! The Spirit of God was most evident in the lives of all of you. Jesus was visible on your faces. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! May God bless each of you as never before.”

Behind it all is a commitment to communicating 4 core messages to each person who comes to a program:

“You are loved. You have great worth. God is with you. You are not forgotten.”

But saying the words would not be enough. A group of musicians, audio team and support people spending a week to provide high quality music programs would not be enough. What happens to elicit comments like those above? My conclusion after being on 11 of these tours is that it’s a holy mystery, a moving of the Spirit that can’t be prescribed or mandated.

Every team member who participates for the first time with an open heart and mind becomes part of the embodiment of those 4 messages and people respond. For those who have been part of it before, each time is richer.

Yes, it is a phenomenon that can’t be captured in words very well. But there is also a design in the program that is inspired and powerful for the team that creates it each time and for those in the audience. Walk with me through the program that has such powerful impacts.

The Timothy’s Gift Tour Program

As we begin, the 4 messages are spoken over the group as the reason we are there. The music begins with “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” followed by a couple of popular Christmas songs that draw in the listeners. People appreciate the beautiful music and extraordinary talent and recall memories of their own. Music is breaking down barriers and opening hearts.

Then it gets personal. Each singer and band member is introduced by name and where they are from (origin). Each instrumentalist riffs a bit on their instrument. Those in the audience are invited to introduce themselves and after several have done that the question is asked, “Does anyone have a birthday today?….this week…..” After one or more raise their hands, a sweet a cappella version of “Happy Birthday” is sung to them. The appreciation and joy is clear on everyone’s faces — not just the individuals who gave their name or whose birthdays were recognized. These simple things communicate that we see them as humans, individuals with names and origins and birthdays — and we celebrate their lives. More barriers drop.

After a soulful “Drummer Boy” is sung, volunteers are requested. They come to the stage and are given Santa hats or reindeer antlers to wear as the singers and band don their own. A singalong of Christmas songs is led by the volunteers with the singers — fun ones like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and traditional carols ending with “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Both on the stage and in the audience, there is such joy as people feel free to let go. As voices raise with the closing “O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him” we sense that the it’s one of those thin spaces between this reality and one far beyond.

After this joyful time, “Silent Night” is sung a cappella by the singers, followed by “God Speaking” which poses questions to everyone — how has God been speaking to me and how is God speaking now?

As those questions are pondered, the two people who have done the Timothy’s Gift podcast speak about some of their experiences and share some humor. That segment ends with the story of how one of them first encountered Timothy’s Gift while incarcerated and was especially moved by one song, “Love Me.”

Before Shelley sings that song, she asks everyone to put their hand on their chest and say,

“I am loved. I have great worth. God is with me. I am not forgotten.”

The song ends with “Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside and it said….I will love you for you, Not for what you have done or what you will become. I will love you for you, I will give you the love, The love that you never knew.” The barriers are down, we are all one.

This leads into communion, where everyone is welcome and embraced. People participate who haven’t felt worthy of or welcome at the Table for years. The bread and juice are shared with words of blessings and affirmation. As eyes connect, love is embodied in this sacrament. There are some hugs and tears and many expressions of gratitude. During this holy time, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is sung.

When all have returned to their sets, “The Prayer” is sung as a benediction over everyone.

“…Let this be our prayer, Just like every child.
Need to find a place, Guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

After final comments and requests for “one more song,” the program closes with a lively rendition of “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Everyone leaves on a high note and we shake hands and say final blessings to as many people personally as we can.

From this experience, people are inspired to send messages to Timothy’s Gift like these:

“You guys showing up for me was just like God reminding me of how much I really have to be thankful for.…I know that God holds me closely to Him, and every now and then , he sends wonderful gifts, disguised as everyday people with instruments and voices! We really loved you all!”

“A ‘thank you’ seems too little for all I received from your group! I was that old man in the wheelchair. You were all blessing an old man’s heart! You really know how to make people happy! May God bless all of you!”

Each Timothy’s Gift Tour is something of a mystery with many blessings, new insights, and new embodiments of these words:

“You are loved. You have great worth. God is with you. You are not forgotten.”

May it continue to be so.

To learn more about this unique ministry: https://www.timothysgift.com