Testimonials 

Slam members Testimony

When I was first asked to consider joining the SLAM ministry, I had little idea of what it was about but knew it involved going into jails. To be honest, at first I was hesitant. I did not like the idea of getting up early on Saturday morning but I did not mind the idea of meeting and talking to 'criminals' or 'inmates' about the Lord Jesus. This is due to the fact that God's Spirit dwells within me and has taught me that I was a criminal and am still a sinner. The Lord compels me to preach His name even when I am weak and want to go my own way. It is with this in mind that we go forward, with God's grace into the prisons.

In late 2003, I first stepped into John Moroney Prison thinking I would meet some of the most hardened criminals known. Instead I was surprised to meet some of the most gentle and polite people you could ever meet. The Lord changed my view, and now when people ask me about what prison and prisoners are like, I tell them: 'they are our friends and our equal'. Why is this so? Do I have anything in me that is special that I treat them this way? No. It is by Gods grace that we Love these men and enter the jails and preach His Word.

Since joining the SLAM ministry my walk with the LORD has changed. I would have to say before joining SLAM my walk was lukewarm. I did not truly appreciate the Lord's will for me. I was not baptized, even though I was saved. The Lord showed me how hypocritical it was to preach to our friends in jail with an un-baptised spirit.

In early 2005 I was baptized.  I have also been showed by the Lord many times my own short comings when I have visited jail without an unrepentant heart or humility. So why do I go into the jails to preach God's Word? It is because the Lord has had mercy upon me, a sinner. It is because of the Love He Has for the inmates that we preach to them and testify of the free gift of salvation to any who hear and are willing to accept. When we preach and testify it is not for any benefit to us, as we receive nothing but joy and gladness from this work. When an inmate wants to be saved, they do so out of repentance, not because of anything we have done but because of God's hand.

It is truly a blessing to see more and more men accepting Jesus Christ, every time we go in. When the touch football team first started we only had about 5-6 soldiers. We now regularly have 13 soldiers who serve the Lord. I enjoy the fellowship with the soldiers I serve with so much; I really consider them my brothers. The team know we are not exactly NRL standard, but we go into the prison with the firm conviction that we are there to preach Christ first and foremost. Also, when we meet to pray and share in a devotion before we go into the jails, it is such a blessing to me, especially to see and hear the love the boys have for our friends in prison.

We are truly encouraged to see the working of God's will in the lives of the inmates and the power of prayer as we continue to pray for those yet to receive the Lord. The continuing and indeed never ending work of our Lord is something I am blessed and happy to be a part of. It shows the hope a sinner can have in the Lord.

Jared Warmald
Touch Football Team Soldier