SHEPHERD - When Dave Steadman wrote to Berea Baptist from jail seven years ago, in return he got a bible. His cell mate noticed him reading it and asked if he could get one too. It started a trend, and to this day the church sends bibles by the hundreds to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. "Not knowing anyone here outside my brother and sister in law, it was so good, it felt good to know that someone else cared." says Dave. Since then Dave has turned his life around, gotten out of jail, and joined Berea Baptist. His is just one story.
The tiny church has touched hundreds more. Denise Mcgonigal was in jail when she heard she could get a bible from Berea Baptist. "I felt pretty alone. I couldn't call my parents or my friends, you know at all hours of the day, so basically all I had was the bible to read and, when I felt alone, I didn't feel so alone." says Denise. She says it got her through the tough time and now she's a part of the church too. "I know this church, they love me, no matter what I've done. And they're here to keep me on the right path and moving forward."
The chaplain at Yellowstone County Detention Facility says not only are attitudes and the atmosphere changing, there are fewer incident reports at the jail. But those involved say that's not the most important part of this mission. "If we can provide hope for two or three of a dozen people, then we've reached more than that. It's like the ripple affect." says Pastor Larry Williams. And the binders full of thank you letters, suggest they're doing just that.