Rev. William Bumphus, Former Inmate Turned Pastor, Visits Wilkinson Prison

He tells men how to get out of prison -- and stay out

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Chaplain, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Copyright (c) 2021 

#MTCChangesLives

Pastor William Bumphus
Author, "You Can Be Set Free"

WOODVILLE, Miss. -- On a recent visit to Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), the Rev. William Bumphus shared a sobering and moving testimony, and a message of hope for the men incarcerated at the Woodville prison. He told them how to get out of prison and stay out by turning their lives over to Christ.

A former inmate himself, Bumphus said he has been drug-free and alcohol-free for 42 years. He said God can change anybody. “Jesus can change your life, regardless of your background,” he said. “If he did it for me, he will do it for anyone.”

Bumphus is the pastor of Faith Center Church International and the founder of Jesus Inside Prison Ministry (www.jipm.org), both of Indianapolis, IN. He has ministered in nearly 600 prisons. In addition to ministering to offenders in jails and prisons, he and his wife, Juanita, operate an aftercare facility which they call the Jesus House. They also feed the hungry. Bumphus has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including The 700 Club, TBN Network, and on the cover of Charisma magazine.

This is one of two groups that came out for the services at WCCF.

Bumphus visited WCCF on January 15 for two Christian services. He and his team ministered to an audience of 200 people. Their ministry included music, testimonies, preaching, prayer, and the distribution of Bumphus’ memoir, “You Can Be Set Free.” Bumphus delivered a messaged titled, “How to Get Out of Prison and Stay Out.”

“I enjoyed the service,” said offender Emanuel Young. “It made me reflect back over my life and the many mistakes I’ve made, some of which caused me to come to prison.”

Young said that after listening to Bumphus and hearing the testimonies in the service, he now knows what he needs to do to stay out of prison when he is released. “I will do my best to serve the Lord on a daily basis and look to Him for guidance,” he said.

Deputy Warden of Programs George Castro said the services were timely and just what WCCF needed. “Pastor Bumphus has a powerful ministry,” he said. “He and his team were inspiring.”

Pastor William Bumphus signing copies of his book.

Bumphus’ team consisted of several men who testified to being “ex-cons.” All of them participated in the services. Darius Gover, a.k.a. Divine Wordz, provided Christian rap music. Two of the men, Johnny Hill and Keven King, shared testimonies about their time behind bars and how their lives were changed by Christ. Hill, for example, served 38 years in prison. He got out at the age of 63 and landed his first job. Today he is a proud homeowner and is actively engaged in prison ministry.

King spoke of growing up in poverty. He described how he went hungry and eventually began robbing and stealing in order to survive. After serving time in prison, King found a good job where he worked his way to the top. He also shared how he became an entrepreneur by growing his own vending machine business, which is called FrontLine Vending.

According to Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, Bumphus and his team connected with their audience. “The men found the stories about their past to be gripping and yet entertaining,” he said. “The stories were provocative and compelling, all leading to the point where they found Christ as their Savior and the solution to their problems.”

Bumphus was arrested 23 times and served four prison terms. He shared stories about his time on the streets, when he used drugs and worked as a pimp, among other things. He said he became a born-again Christian while incarcerated on his last charge of burglary and theft, and “has been serving Jesus ever since.”

Pastor William Bumphus, left, Programs Director Tracey Arbuthnot, and Warden Scott Middlebrooks

Willie Riley said he was very pleased with Bumphus’ message. “As a Muslim offender, I can say that Pastor Bumphus did a wonderful job informing the audience as to what it will take for us to get out of prison and stay out,” he said.

During Bumphus’ presentation, he spoke of the challenges that inmates face when they leave prison. Many return after only a short time on the streets, he said. “The biggest problem they face when they get out is having no safe place to live,” he said. “When they get out, they need to get hooked up with a local church and stay in the word (Bible) twenty-four seven.”

Not only that, he added, but they need to consider another point: “The same way they stayed in the word (Bible) in the joint to keep from getting in trouble, they need to double up in the word when they get outside.”

Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, left, Pastor William Bumphus

Reflecting on the services, offender Timothy Gaines said he appreciated the testimonies. “It was good to have ex-cons because they’ve been where we’re at,” he said. “They were able to reach out and touch the offenders on a deeper level. First-hand experience is the best experience.”

Offender Willie Wilson said he really enjoyed seeing what God has done in Pastor Bumphus’ life. “We could actually see this miracle before us, speaking to us,” he said. “A lot of times we read about miracles or somebody tells us about them. But with Pastor Bumphus and his team, we see them right in front of us.”

Programs Director Tracey Arbuthnot said the services exceeded her expectations. “I was really pleased to see how the offenders responded,” she said. “They paid attention and seemed captivated by every word. You could see that Pastor Bumphus really connected with them.”

WCCF, which houses more than 900 male offenders, is operated by Management and Training Corporation or MTC of Utah.

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#PrivatePrisons #Corrections #MTCChangesLives

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com

Wilkinson Prison Holds First Water Baptism

34 men profess faith in Christ

#MTCChangesLives
 

Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III baptizes Deseantez Watkins. 

WOODVILLE, Miss. – Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently hosted a water baptism ceremony in which 34 incarcerated men participated as new converts to Christianity.

“I think it was the right thing to do,” said offender William Strickland. “It makes me feel good. Now I can focus on becoming a better Christian and a better human being.”

The event, which took place in December 2020, occurred after a series of facility-wide church services. Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, along with fellow employee, Training Lieutenant Dwyane Anthony, performed the ceremony. Anthony, an ordained minister, is also pastor of King Emanuel Baptist Church in Woodville.

The men ranged in age from 19 to 50. All of them professed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “They made a life-changing decision to be baptized and to follow Christ,” said Barnes. “This is the first step in their journey as disciples of the Lord.”

Christopher Myers, a chaplain’s orderly, assisted Anthony in the baptism while Ricky Keeton, who also works with the chaplain’s department, assisted Barnes. Willie Riley, another chaplain’s orderly, handed out towels and dry clothing for the men as they exited the pools.

Training Lieutenant Dwyane Anthony, right, baptizes Jermaine Crump, with assistance from Chaplain Orderlies Willie Riley, left, and Christopher Myers.

The participants described the event as an important milestone in their walk with God. Some acknowledged their struggles and asked staff for forgiveness. Michael Moore, before being submerged, showed remorse. “I just want to apologize to all of the officers and staff that I’ve ever been disrespectful towards and any offenders that I’ve had a problem with in the past,” he said. “I want to make a new start.”

 
Jermaine Crump said he enjoyed the experience. “I thank God for saving me and making it possible for me to be baptized,” he said. “Hopefully I can show the world how much I appreciate my new life in Christ.”
 
Barnes and Anthony baptized the men inside the facility gym using two portable baptism pools, one of which was donated by American Rehabilitation Ministries (ARM).
 
George Castro, deputy warden of programs, stated, “This is one of the greatest things that ever happened at this facility.” He added, “We closed out the year in the best way, with something positive.”
 

 Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, left, baptizes Albert Thomas, with assistance from Rickey Keeton, who works with the chaplain’s department.

Before the ceremony, Programs Director Tracey Arbuthnot encouraged the men seeking to be baptized. “I advised the candidates for baptism that they were making the largest accomplishment in life by dedicating their lives to Christ,” she said. “I encouraged them to stay in the word and surround themselves with godly people.”

One of the participants, Patrick Cavett, said he was happy about the experience, even though it was hard to explain. “I feel like a new person,” he said. “The water was chilly, to say the least, but I really think I made the right decision. I’m happy about it.”

The ceremony concluded with a meal provided by the facility and an almond-flavored sheet cake that was donated by Treppendahl Super Foods. Each of the men received a Certificate of Baptism.

WCCF, which houses more than 900 male offenders, is operated by Management and Training Corporation or MTC of Utah.

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#PrivatePrisons #Corrections #MTCChangesLives

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com

More on Alliance Leaders' Initial Criticism of Bosworth's Healing Ministry

Additional thoughts by Dr. Paul L. King
 
By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer"
 
#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
#ABSimpson
 

A.B. Simpson, left, and Paul Rader in 1912
Photo courtesy of C&MA National Archives

In the 1920s, leaders in the Christian and Missionary Alliance initially criticized F.F. Bosworth for going too far with his healing ministry. According to Dr. Paul L.King, that criticism might have been prompted in part by the need for balance – a view shared earlier by A.B. Simpson.

In a December 17, 2020 email, King wrote that he had been thinking about Paul Rader’s initial criticism of Bosworth in which he suggested Bosworth placed too much emphasis on healing and that it overshadowed the message of salvation. King wrote: “One of the reasons for [the criticism], I believe, was that A.B. Simpson and early Alliance leaders wanted to maintain the balance of the Fourfold Gospel of Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.”

King also shared a quote from Simpson that was made in 1894. Simpson said: “Keep from all side issues and mere phases of truth. Don't let it be purely a Divine healing meeting, or a Holiness meeting. Avoid criticisms or mere phases of holiness, or other truth. Keep all error out, . . . and things that divide Christians, and separate them from the true centre.” ^[1] 

Interestingly, King noted, there is a story about John Alexander Dowie wanting Simpson to team up with him to do healing crusades. However, Simpson refused, according to King. He said Simpson replied as follows: "I have four wheels on my chariot and I cannot run on just one."

Simpson, to be clear, was a staunch believer in divine healing and the power of the Spirit. Not only did he personally experience the Lord’s healing power firsthand, but he frequently prayed for others who were sick and he reportedly saw many healed. Simpson also wrote The Gospel of Healing, an important book, which has become a classic.

King’s comments about Bosworth stemmed from a discussion that he and I had in May of this year about Bosworth’s healing ministry. Specifically, we looked at some of the criticism that Bosworth received from Alliance leaders. Some, including Rader, initially accused Bosworth of placing too much emphasis on divine healing. At the time of our discussion, King suggested Rader’s reaction may have been based on reports from second-hand sources, as well as Pentecostal excesses among followers of Bosworth’s ministry. After giving it some further thought, he suggested Simpson’s teaching on balance might have been another reason for the criticism.

King’s view of this matter, not surprisingly, is on point and certainly plausible. His view is supported by a critical analysis of key points in Bosworth’s life history. Whatever the exact reason or reasons might have been for the criticism, Bosworth and Rader worked out their differences and eventually became close friends. Bosworth also held revival meetings in Rader’s church. For a number of years, Bosworth’s book, Christ the Healer, was distributed by the Alliance denomination and was even required reading in ordination studies for a time.

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[1] A.B. Simpson, “How to Build Up the Alliance,” CAMW, May 4, 1894, 272.

Related article: 

 

"Did Bosworth Go Too Far? Paul Rader and other Alliance leaders initially accused him of placing too much emphasis on divine healing." See here.

Further reading:

King, Paul L. Genuine Gold: The Cautiously Charismatic Story of the Early Christian and Missionary Alliance. Tulsa, OK: Word & Spirit Press, 2006. See here.

 

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Reminder: "F.F. Bosworth History" is now on Twitter. Follow @bosworth_fred

 

Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer," can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: BOSWORTH25.

 

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Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

 

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

Visit here:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com

 

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For more information:

Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @bosworth_fred and @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer #BosworthMention #BosworthMatters