.avif)
Louisiana
_logo%201.svg)
WINNSBORO, LA. (Apr. 12, 2026) — A remarkable display of prison ministry and Christian revival unfolded inside Louisiana’s Franklin Parish Detention Center this spring, where 12 incarcerated men were baptized after professing faith in Jesus Christ during a worship service led by Friendship Baptist Church of Baskin, Louisiana. According to The Baptist Message and The Baptist Paper, the baptisms took place April 12, just six days after 19 inmates reportedly made decisions to follow Christ during an evangelistic gathering inside the jail.
Prison Ministry Revival in Louisiana
The baptisms occurred during a worship service attended by approximately 55 inmates inside the detention facility. According to The Baptist Message, the men were baptized individually in a horse trough as fellow inmates applauded and celebrated each public declaration of faith.
Cary Collier, a member of Friendship Baptist Church who ministers regularly inside the prison, described the moment as a visible testimony of transformed lives.
“There is no greater joy than seeing new creations emerge, chains broken and lives changed forever behind those bars,” Collier told The Baptist Message. “Praise God for His Amazing Grace and Mercy.”
According to the reporting, the inmates involved are serving sentences ranging from six months to 10 years. Church volunteers said the revival atmosphere intensified during worship as inmates sang “Amazing Grace.”
Powerful Moments:
- 12 inmates baptized on April 12 inside Franklin Parish Detention Center.
- 19 inmates professed faith in Christ during a worship service six days earlier.
- Friendship Baptist Church has reportedly seen 170 inmates come to Christ since 2023 through ongoing prison outreach.
- Seven church members regularly minister at the facility every other Tuesday through worship, Bible distribution, prayer, and discipleship.
- Pastor Prentis Gandy, along with Jeffery Rider, Geoff Hiesler, Cary Collier, and Richard Warren, participated in the ministry effort.
Christian Revival News: “Chains Broken” Behind Bars
Pastor Prentis Gandy told The Baptist Message that the ministry’s goal extends beyond emotional experiences and focuses on lasting discipleship.
“Our number one goal, of course, is to introduce them to the Gospel, but secondly, we want to encourage those who know Christ to be steadfast in their faith,” Gandy said.
The church reportedly provides Bibles and Christian literature to inmates and encourages participation in Bible studies after conversion decisions are made.
“There is no greater joy than seeing new creations emerge, chains broken and lives changed forever behind those bars.” —Cary Collier
The story also reflects a broader trend of prison ministry growth across America. Other ministries, including God Behind Bars, have reported large-scale revival events and inmate baptisms in Louisiana prisons over the past two years.
Revival in America and the Power of Prison Ministry
From a Christian perspective, many believers see stories like this as evidence that the Gospel reaches beyond physical walls and human failures. Scripture teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
For many Christians involved in prison ministry, these baptisms represent not merely emotional moments but outward testimonies of inward spiritual transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
How You Can Respond
- Pray for the 12 newly baptized inmates and their discipleship journey.
- Pray for prison chaplains, pastors, and volunteers ministering behind bars.
- Post a prayer in America’s Prayer Room.
- Attend an upcoming revival gathering through AWAKE America Events.
Faith Evans Pearson
Faith Evans Pearson is the AWAKE America Community Manager, progressing the ministry’s mission through creative strategy, social media, digital campaigns, and content—to boldly share the Truth of the Gospel, equip the saints, and encourage believers in the US and abroad.
