by Cal Uomoto

Editor’s note: Many Bethany-ites will know that Cal Uomoto was instrumental in shaping a ministry to immigration detainees at the Northwest Detention Center. He recently sent an update to friends of this ministry, which we’re sharing with you.

Earlier this month I asked if you would pray for the baptism service that would be held on the 5th. Thank you for praying. We had a very blessed evening and baptized 15 men. Most of them were from Central America, but also from China and Fiji.

In a facility such as the Northwest Detention Center we are not allowed to have a baptismal tub to conduct immersion style baptisms. So we make do as we are allowed. As each one would come up to the front in his blue, orange, or red uniform, he would lean over the basin. The pastor would pour the pitcher of water over his head and neck, utter the words of the baptism, and then pray for him in his language. It is simple, yet very moving.

A young man from Central America testified, “I came from a Christian family. I went my own way in the U.S. against my family’s wishes. My father became a Christian in 2000. He got killed in ’01. A friend would say to me, “Go to church.” But I didn’t want to. I committed a crime in 2000. I got arrested and put in prison in 2008. I accepted Christ in jail.”

A middle-aged Hispanic man testified, “I’ve been doing bad things and drinking a lot. Now I have a young son. I want to start following Jesus and be a good example for my son.”

The elderly man from Fiji reported, “I came from a Christian family in Fiji. When I came here I was lost. Now I want to do it. I really want to serve God this time.”

Please pray for these new brothers in Christ as they seek to follow Him into the future. Please also continue to pray for the weekly services. Every Saturday and Sunday evening we conduct 3 services.

On a slightly different note I wanted to mention that the Detention Ministry has been featured in a book. Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity by author Miriam Adeney devotes Chapter 12 to this ministry’s early years. It was published by Intervarsity Press at the end of 2009.