From witnessing to inmates about Christ to holding their hand when they receive word that a family member has died, prison chaplains deal with inmates from all walks of life in all forms of situations. It is a job that comes with a huge responsibility and an even greater challenge – to help turn lives around that have already been damaged by sin's destruction.

The job of a prison chaplain is not confined to counseling with inmates; a large part of their job is working with the prison guards, staff, and members of the sheriff's department as they deal with the stress of spending their days surrounded by inmates.

Norman Wilson, pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church in Warner Robins, serves as chaplain for the Houston County sheriff's department. As chaplain, every week he conducts a non denominational religious services and on occasion, Wilson has made arrangements to baptize inmates. He spends much of his time counseling new Christians.

"Living for Christ is more difficult from a prison cell, " explained Wilson who has been Sheriff's department chaplain for over 10 years. "There are 30 men in a cellblock and maybe five are Christians; in that kind of atmosphere it is much easier to not walk with Jesus. " Wilson also said that people's perception that some inmates make a profession of faith to influence their time in jail is correct. "Some are con men, " admitted Wilson.

"There are some inmates that will say they have become a Christian because they think it will be beneficial for themselves. What we do is watch and see if there is any spiritual growth. But most are very sincere. " Since the facility in Houston County is a jail, many of the inmates are waiting to be placed in a state prison. Wilson said that he feels it is very important for inmates to have the Gospel presented to them while in jail, so when they get to prison they will immediately get involved with a Bible study group or personal devotional time.

Wilson also counsels with the staff of the Sheriff's Department. According to Willie Talton, Chief Deputy of the Houston County Sheriffs Department, the 300 employees need spiritual guidance themselves.

"I believe that our officers are a form of minister themselves. We minister to the community, " explained Talton. "But there are times when they are in crisis, whether divorce, family problems or a situation they were involved with at work, like shooting someone. Then my officers need comfort. They need to be able to release their pain so they can get back to work and uphold the oath that they swore to do. " Curtis West, chaplain at the Macon YDC, also feels personally responsible for the staff at the YDC. "Through the week I send our staff daily meditations, inspirational and motivational thoughts. It is so important to help them maintain their focus and understand that God placed them here to work. " West, who is also pastor of Usher's Temple CME, in Fort Valley explained that his job was not only to lead the lost to Christ but to reinforce what so many of them have already been taught.

Most of our inmates know things about the Bible. But there is a huge contradiction between what they know and what they are experiencing in life, "West said. "My job is give them direction and point them to Jesus. For some that is done by giving them an opportunity to accept Christ; for others it is accomplished by reinforcing their Christian values. " "These are children who because of a divorce or other family problems haven't received a lot of guidance or discipline at home. They are confused, maybe attached to the wrong crowd and don't know where to turn. We want to make them turn to Christ, "West said.

West, who accepted Christ at age 13, draws on his own life experiences to help identify with the pressures of adolescence. "I remember the struggle all of us have with the flesh at that age. " West conducts church services and has recently begun Saturday Night Live, where inmates gather on Saturday evening to listen to him preach and to hear different guest musicians. West says that Saturday Night Live has a large crowd, and many young ladies were baptized last year in a portable baptismal.