Residents Encounter Christ for the incarcerated lifts up “inmates,” “outmates” alike

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Residents Encounter Christ (REC) is an interdenominational encounter movement for men and women in prison, rooted in Catholic spirituality. It is open to anyone who is in prison.

A resident of the Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) in Bowling Green shared the following reflections on his REC experience:

On a cool Saturday afternoon in February, over 80 inmates gathered inside the gymnasium at the Northeastern Correctional Center in Bowling Green.

They were not there for a basketball game or any other recreational activity, they were there for a Residents Encounter Christ (REC) weekend.

Put on by volunteers (known as “outmates”) from around the state, REC weekends are held at adult correctional institutions around Missouri and Illinois.

The three days of the retreat — Die Day, Rise Day and Go Day — reflect the Paschal Mystery of Jesus.

It is a simple formula that goes all the way back to Christ’s ministry on earth: love people, accept them where they are, and they will respond to the Gospel.

Someone once said that you don’t have to convince sinners that they are sinners, they already know. You only have to convince them that God loves them anyway and they will eagerly respond to the Gospel message.

It’s a message that transforms the lives not only of those who hear it, but those who carry it, as well.

I know for a fact that these retreats have changed the lives of hundreds of inmates and positively affected the culture of Missouri’s prisons.

Some said they were more open to encountering God through other expressions of faith because of it.

Others said they encountered God through the conversations they had and friendships they made during the weekend.

Still others experienced a renewal of their faith, and at least one said he converted to Catholic Christianity because of his weekend.

They all agreed that the love they felt kindled a response in their own hearts to be more loving.

Not only the inmates are affected by the weekends. I have heard several outmates remark that the weekends have positively impacted their lives.

Even the corrections staff benefits from the retreats. One staff member commented that he looked forward to the weekends because of the peace he felt during them.

Another staff member noted that they didn’t have to write a single conduct violation for any of the candidates during the entire weekend.

I can truly say my REC experience has changed, if not saved, my life. My first REC was #42 in Jefferson City, about 10 years ago. To tell you the truth, I don’t actually remember signing up for it. At the time, I was at a crossroads in my faith.

I was slowly sinking into depression and overwhelmed by the time in front of me. I believed that I had committed a sin that was unpardonable.

When I got the notice that I had been approved to attend, I was actively considering ending my life.

I have been a Christian for most of my life, however the majority of my experience has been Christianity as a religion of rules, laws, and trying to “measure up” — and I knew that I didn’t.

I had had enough of religion but decided to go anyway because I heard they had good snacks. (The outmates constantly remind us to talk about our experience and not the snacks. I’m glad someone didn’t listen.)

I knew as soon as I walked in that REC was something different.

REC stresses the relationship aspect of Christianity. One of the things that impresses me the most about the weekends, is the love that the outmates shower on each of us.

When I left my first REC, the thing that I kept saying was, “It’s three days of being treated like a person.”

That alone made the experience memorable. However, I had an encounter with a very real God that weekend, A God Who simply said “I love you.”

I made some friends that weekend who are still part of my life years later, even though I now reside at a different institution.

The REC experience does not end with the weekend. The monthly REC fellowship meetings are the highlight of my month.

One of the outmates at that REC encouraged me as a writer. Obviously, that encouragement has borne fruit. Through writing, I found sanity, a renewed sense of who I am, and a deeper appreciation for the God Who made me to be a writer.

Since that first REC weekend, I’ve had the privilege of participating in five more, and each one draws me deeper into relationship with Christ.

Maybe the most profound was my third. It is interesting to note that this one also came at a low point. I wasn’t even supposed to go to this weekend, so when I was asked to be a substitute at the last minute, I knew God had something special planned.

That REC, I served as a “wheatie.” For those of you who are not in the know, “wheaties” are the team that make sure the candidates have the things they need to enjoy the weekend.

Their name comes from Jesus’s words in John 12:24: Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

From coffee and snacks, to the materials needed for each session and clean restrooms, wheaties make sure it gets done.

I’ve always had a “servant heart,” so I found that appealing, but there was something deeper. I was able to see Christ in each of the men at the weekend and felt that I had been given the opportunity to serve Christ Himself.

The last spoken meditation on each REC weekend is called “Beyond REC.” It is an invitation to continue in the growth and fellowship that began on the retreat.

Candidates are encouraged to sign up for and participate in the monthly REC fellowship meetings and to invite their friends to attend a REC weekend, in accordance with Jesus’ instructions to His disciples to “go and make disciples of all men,” (Matthew 28:19).

Although the REC weekends are currently on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak, the ministry continues. The community of faith here at NECC and throughout the Missouri Department of Corrections is alive and well, in part due to the influence of the REC weekends.

Whether you are an outmate or a resident of one of Missouri’s adult correctional institutions, we invite you to join us.

Visit mo-rec.com for information about how to help with or participate in a REC weekend.

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