Good morning brothers – it’s Monday.
Still cold here in Illinois.
Freezing, but just barely.
This week I’ll be headed south – but not for fishing… at least, not in the traditional sense…
I play in a group called Todd Anthony Joos & The Revelators. We do prison ministry.
What does that mean?
It means we go into prisons, set up the big boom-boom, make a bunch of very loud noise – and then we talk to the men about making better decisions. We talk about starting to develop a relationship with Christ. Starting to look for guidance and direction in different places – places other than the ones that led them here.
Locked up.
Alone.
Paying the price for bad decisions.
What does that look like? Sometimes, it looks like this…
Other times, it’s much smaller.
Smaller rooms. Smaller groups.
You never know… but it’s always productive.
It’s also a TON of work.
I wish I had more examples, pictures and video… but the sad fact is that they don’t allow us to capture anything for liability reasons. The few pictures we do have are the ones quickly snapped by a warden or a C/O, sent to us after the fact in a brief email or text.
Illinois is especially strict. Tennessee is a bit more relaxed – and that’s where we’re headed this week.
If you think of it, please say a prayer for us.
Please pray for safe travel (24 hours of windshield time in 2 days with back-to-back 2 hour concerts and all of the loading & unloading – no budget means no road crew – we’ll be dead tired when we get home).
Please pray that we might do good work, and soften hearts or inspire bold action.
Please pray that we can afford gas and lodging to continue to do this, that our gear holds up and lasts for years and years – because there is no paycheck headed our way.
Well… I suppose the “pay” is knowing that we’re doing what we can to make a positive impact in the world, with our small circle of influence.
It’s enough.
The public typically doesn’t like to think about men that are locked up, but the truth of the matter is that most are going to get out.
We want to see them take a different path, so they don’t end up back in here, and they can instead become productive members of society and help build the Kingdom.
One of these days, one of the men who has seen us play and heard us speak will be at a gas pump next to your wife, he’ll be in the store with your daughter, on a bus with your son – and our hope is that by scattering seed, he will have taken his time in the clink to make a positive change. Took this message and started to think deeply, to read more… to turn his life around.
It’s never too late.
That is the hope… and these days, hope is something that I think we could all use a little bit more of.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Thank You For Your Support
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
Featured Videos:
Stars & Bars Fishing is a video log dedicated to catching fish with the techniques we write about. All Episodes >
The Minimalist Fisherman channel focuses on bait reviews, strategies & projects. See More Fishing Videos>
Glad you can do that AJ. I played in several bands my college years with similar opportunities. One never knows the impact made.
caught a 34″ pike through the ice the other day. Spoon hook jigged up and down, 50lb test on a stick in 6feet of water over a weed bed. I saw her slam it. Quite a tussle getting it up through the hole.
Hey there brother Gary – thank you very much. It’s always super hectic leading up to a trip, but it’s always worth the effort. I hope that there are ripples… oh, and what instrument did you play in the band? I’ve seen some piano clips of yours but didn’t know if you were multi-instrumental?
Also I’m not even going to acknowledge your pike. I have not caught a fish in months. LOL
No seriously, I bet that was wild – good deal!! Love pike, for sport and table.