Long Creek is the youth correctional facility for the southern part of the state of Maine.  Sue and I have been going in there to do chapel programs since 1987, and today was our most recent visit.  Actually, I went alone, but whether Sue is with me or not, we are a ministry team.  Anyway, about 50 teens came out to see the 'show', and we had a lot of fun.

One thing I still wrestle with is how to close a show.  Do I end with a serious message?  Do I follow u a serious message with one last upbeat routine?  Do I let the chaplain close it at his discretion?  Do I do an invitation to pray to accept Jesus?  I hope that I am sensitive to the Holy Spirit as he leads me with this decision.  Today I ended with a rather traditional - in evangelical circles anyway- invitation to accept Christ's gift of grace and forgiveness.  The response was strong.  Two teenage guys held hands and raised them up together as a sign that they wanted to put their faith in Jesus.  The best thing is, I know the chaplains there, and they will do an excellent job following up with these troubled teens.