Tim and Lynda Culver: adapted
Rehabilitation Plus Regeneration
-—
F'imotiy and Lynda Culver,
directors of prison minis-
tries, Texas Conference
Have a couple representing Timothy and Lynda
Culver on the plattorm. Call Mrs. Culver ro the
microphone first.
Superintendent: When the Lord touched Lyndu
Whitford 's hife with Timothy's, she married a new
ministry for herselt as well as i husband. Tynda,
would you step to the macrophone and share with
us? [Superintendent backs way and resunics
ATU /
[Lynda Culver: That is true! I hope that the Holy
Spirit and T will “"hook™ vou on prison ministries
as much as the Holy Spirit and Tim “hooked ™™ me.
because this Thirteenth Subbath we hope to estab-
lish « network of pail ministries. like the one that
Tim began mm Texas. all over North America with
its 830 prisons and 700.000 prisoners.
The first sixomonths of our ministry was a whirl-
wind of paperwork that excluded any personal
prison ministry for me. However, 1 did manage to
study data on incarcerated women and began shar-
mg this information in our prison ninistries work-
shops,
[t wus at one of these workshops that T was
approached by a woman who looked me straight in
the eve and said. Which jail do vor visit, dear?”
That 1s when it hit me that Thad not uncovered
anvihing firsthand: [was merely repeating the col-
fected data of others. Since | had not gone to the
mountain, God brought the mountam to me!
God gave this third-generation Adventist who
had never even seen the inside of a jail the courage
that first week to go and share the miracles He had
performed in my lite. Others tell me they teel
something happen in the pit of their stomach when
they hear the doors lock behind them: 1 have never
experienced that sensation or fear. | know this is a
ait from God.
April 28
After that first service. 1 was hooked. Stories of
the women | have met and prayed with are too
numerous to relate here. Many are coming down
off various drug habits, and most have children
they are crying out for. At least 70 percent of the
icmale prisoners have children under 18 years old.
These children have not committed a crime. but
they are serving tune. There is a special need to
help them nurture their relationship with the incar-
cerated parent whenever advisable. As for mar-
rages, studies have shown that 90 percent will end
m divorce when a spouse is incarcerated. But those
who are able to stay in close contact with their
families do significantly better. and of these. 90
percent never return (o prison.
As I visit the women. I share, cry. sing. pray.
and talk about Jesus” indescribable love for them.
Since most of them have never known real love, it
Is thrilling to see their faces when they first grasp
His love. They are always ~o thirsty for more!
When 1first emerge into the bright sunlight after
visiting tn the jail. T often feel so out of touch with
reality. I ohserve people pursuing their usual activ-
ities. and I wonder if they Know —if they cure
— about those people in that jail!
Now meet my husband. Timothy Culver —pas-
tor. full-time student, and director of prison minis-
tries for the Texas Conference. But first let him
mtroduce himselt as Timmy Culver. 4 vears old
—und give us his ecuarliest recollections. [Lvadu
backs away and resumes seat. |
Pastor Culver: lt is very dark in the hotel room
we call home, with only the street lamps outside to
give some form to the objects in my recom. I am
crying because Tam all alone and hungry. and |
can't locate the bathroom. I know that I am domg
something wrong, but in desperation I relieve mv-
self in w corner. Eventually my parents return, and
!