HM Prison Maghaberry, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Pastors Bruce and Sharon Oliver The Ark Community Church, March 2007.

This was my second visit to a maximum-security prison for serious offenders, the first being to Olmos prison, Buenos Aires, Argentina where I had personally witnessed a significant revival amongst the prisoners.

I was privileged to attend an extraordinary chapel service at Olmos with around 800 inmates radically praising God and interceding with real passion for our nation of England back in 2001. This revival continues today, with lasting impact on prisoners, many of whom have not re-offended since release.

HMP Maghaberry was one of the prisons on the receiving end of those heartfelt prayers, as prisoners in Argentina prayed for fellow prisoners in our own nation to be free in Christ even behind bars! 

Sharon and I felt honoured to be asked to join a 3-day mission team at HMP Maghaberry with Alpha in Prisons, headed up by Emmy Wilson. 

Bruce and Emmy Wilson,	and the team from Alpha in Prisons

God moved powerfully in the lives of up to 23 inmates who joined us in the chapel daily for worship, prayer, bible teaching, testimonies and prayer ministry. With at least 18 of the guys on life sentences for serious offences we were able to lead them through personal confession, repentance, renunciation and forgiveness.

For many the breakthrough came as they began to forgive themselves and receive healing from the guilt, shame and pain of their crimes and offences. My heart was deeply touched with their honesty and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit as they experienced true freedom from the past. Perhaps now they are more free than some who are not behind bars!

We celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary in prison and were deeply touched as one of the prisoners organised with the chaplain to bring in an anniversary card and have it signed by all of the team and inmates. It now stands as one of our most memorable and moving anniversaries.

Seeing the power of the Holy Spirit moving on crowds has been a feature of ministry over these last years. We have seen many drop to the ground under the anointing and receive a fresh touch from heaven. Maghaberry was no exception and once again God touched lifers with his love, acceptance, forgiveness and healing power. Many were challenged with a fresh fire to reach out to fellow lifers with the good news of the Gospel. There was a deep sense of God’s presence, tears, much laughter and great rejoicing.

We had a rather unconventional end to the mission with a memorable ‘Hokey Cokey’ together with mission team, guards, chaplains, ex cons, and inmates dancing in a large hand held ring in joint celebration of our unity and freedom in Christ.

Truly incredible! I am convinced that revival begins with a hunger for God and on that basis HMP Maghaberry fulfils much of the criteria for it to begin in our prisons.

Thank you once again for supporting us in prayer, With love Bruce and Sharon