Prophets in Prisons: Locked in Solidarity 2026

By Rev. Kevin Burns and Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs

This is an excerpt from the Locked in Solidarity Preaching Guide, which is part of CCDA’s Locked in Solidarity Bundle. Click here to download the bundle and get resources to help you and your community stand in solidarity with your incarcerated neighbors.

Over the years people have asked me how to get involved in prison ministry. I always ask them, “Why do you want to go into prisons?” Often their answer is some form of, “I want to take Jesus inside prisons walls.” I know their answer is sincere. I believe their motive is good. But my response is usually, “Then don’t go.” Then I continue, “You don’t take Jesus into prisons with you. Jesus is already there. He has always been there. You go into prisons to meet Jesus. He is waiting for you there.”

I have come face-to-face with Jesus through the thousands of men I have met in prisons around the world. Especially the men on Tennessee’s death row. This should not be surprising, considering all the men of God mentioned in the Bible who were incarcerated. Here is a list of some of those men:

• Joseph
• Samson
• Jeremiah
• Daniel
• John the Baptist
• Stephen
• Paul and his friends
• John the Elder
• And of course, Jesus

There is a special place for prisoners in God’s heart. One criterion that will be used to separate the sheep from the goats on judgment day is whether or not you visited those in prison (Matthew 25:36). The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3). The Apostle Peter tells us that sometime between Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago” (1 Peter 3:19-20).

Ministry Inside and Outside of Prison

Apostle Carlos Cerrato pastors a church in Tegucigalpa, Honduras called Ministerio Pasion por Las Almos (Passion for Souls Ministry). The first time I preached at his church, there were fewer than 100 people in attendance. The last time I preached, there were over 1,000 people in attendance. Pasion por Las Almos is built on a strong prison ministry. Apostle Carlos is a former gang leader who was incarcerated in the United States before being deported back to Honduras. His associate pastor, Cesar Lopez, was incarcerated in Miami, Florida, before being deported. Both Carlos and Cesar started preaching while in prison. Together, they have started several churches in Honduras. All led by former gang members who placed their faith in Christ while incarcerated, including MS-13 gang leaders.

They have also started churches inside prisons. I have visited several prisons inside Honduras with these two great men and have preached in the churches inside prison. Pastor Osman leads one of those churches. Pastor Osman’s life as a criminal could be made into a movie. But now, he boldly proclaims the gospel to rival gang leaders and others incarcerated with him. Pastor Osman, Apostle Carlos, Pastor Cesar, and Ministerio Pasion por Las Almos, were the inspiration behind my church ordaining Kevin Burns on Tennessee’s death row and helping Pastor Burns start a church on death row called the Church of Life.

Pastor Kevin Burns should be familiar to CCDA and Locked In Solidarity. He helps me write these sermons every year. Recently, Pastor Burns was asked what it means to him to be a prophet in prison. Here was his reply.

After I was convicted, found guilty, and sentenced to death, while I waited in a solitary prison cell inside the Shelby County Courthouse, I heard God say to me, “My son. Go on the way they are sending you. I have need of you there. I have a work I need you to do in that place (Tennessee’s death row). I am not finished with the work I have begun in you. When you are finished with your work in that place, I am going to deliver you from prison as I have promised you.” 

At that moment, after hearing from God, all the fear and terror I felt about my conviction left, and I felt great peace that continues to this day. At that moment I felt called. I felt like I was the only person on earth who could fulfill that purpose. I felt special because God had selected me for this moment. 

Even today, I feel like I am where God needs me to be. I feel honored to preach the gospel and give hope to my brothers who are with me on Tennessee’s death row. Because I trust God, I know I am exactly where God wants me to be, doing exactly what God wants me to do. At the same time, I have hope that God will deliver me from this place. Life is not easy here, and sometimes I am persecuted for my faith. During those times I remember the words of Jesus, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). There is a long history of prophets being put in prison. I count it a privilege to be a part of that history.

No one wants to be in prison. But when God says, “I need you there,” it means the world to me. I know who I am in Christ Jesus, and I know what needs to be done. I am confident I am a son of God, and I don’t worry about what other people may think of me. I am honored to be in the place God needs me right now, with the hope and faith that I will soon be delivered from this prison.

That’s what being a prophet in prison means to me. I feel like I am in the place I am supposed to be. I pray my words will be an encouragement to someone who is in a bad place, and who is thinking to themselves, “Why me Lord. Why do bad things always happen to me?” Sometimes we are selected by God for a specific purpose. It is an honor to be selected by God.

Conclusion

Profits from prisons are an abomination to God. Prophets in prisons are a blessing from God that changes the lives of fellow prisoners, prison staff, prison volunteers, and those involved in Locked In Solidarity. “The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people” (Psalm 69:33).

What are we to do next? I have three suggestions.

First, educate yourself about the prison-industrial complex, how it works, and how much money it generates.

Second, speak out against private prisons. Write editorials. Protest in front of private prisons. Support legislation that reduces incarceration rates. Contact your state representatives and ask them to cancel all contracts with private prisons.

CoreCivic is headquartered in my county in Tennessee. Several years ago, I served on a non-profit board whose mission was prison diversion. This non-profit had a three-year program that drug offenders could choose to complete instead of going to jail. Once they completed the program, their charges would be dropped and their records cleared. One year, as we were looking for sponsors for one of our fundraisers, someone on the board obtained a large donation from CoreCivic. It was the largest donation any sponsor had ever made to this non-profit. I pushed back with righteous indignation and explained to the board the hypocrisy of a non-profit that focuses on keeping people out of jail, taking money from a corporation whose sole purpose was keeping people in jail for as long as possible. The board listened to me and returned the money. But their integrity was short-lived. Within two years of my stepping down from the board, CoreCivic became their leading sponsor. The Bible clearly warns us, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

My third suggestion is to get involved in prison ministry. If your church doesn’t have a prison ministry, start one. Search the internet for prison ministry in your community. They are always looking for volunteers. And remember, as you go into prisons, you are not taking Jesus with you. Jesus is already there.

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