Chaplain Will Olsen

http://lukesmcb.blogspot.com/

(Luke's ministry class blog)

Chaplain Will Olsen was in our class on Thursday telling us about his ministry. He has worked 5 years in the Adams County Adult Correctional Complex, but he is paid by Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. I think that he is a prime example of what is possible if you want it. He decided he would minister in prisons, and that's what he did. He went and got the sponsorships and got to work. He had some amazing stories about what his work has done. One person, who he called Adam, had long hair, tattoos, piercings, and he used to worship Satan. This man would've committed that day if he hadn't met with Chaplain Will. Another prisoner, a woman, had Demons in her cell, he prayed and anointed her cell, prayed some more, and then God gave him an answer, ask her for repentance and renouncement of her sins. She did this, he said it took a while for her to go through them all, but she did it. He later got a report that said she was talking to her inmates about Jesus.

Will also passes out literature for the inmates to read, such as bibles, religious books, writings, etc. Sadly, he also has to pass out Korans if an inmate asks for it. Will says it's better than them not asking for anything, because he now has a relationship with that person he had to give the book to. I think that shows great maturity and strength to be able to look at that positively, and it's something I really would want to have in my future ministries. That and his courage to talk to these men who have done terrible things, and then his ability to let God turn the prisoners lives around.

I think his main challenge is budget working, just like many of today's leaders. I believe he works pretty well at it, though. He does banquets and things, and the rest comes from churches willing to fund the great things he's doing. Another challenge, not surprisingly, is that some inmates try to "do the christian show" to act like their doing well, and possibly get out early. He, like me especially, and all of us, needs to pray and get clarity from God, which is my biggest concern. To know who is real around us is a big deal, and I think Chaplain Will does a pretty good job, and I hope he keeps doing it.