A recent news story out of New Zealand notes with sadness the passing of Ray Turkington, who at the age of 95 was the longest-serving prison volunteer in that nation.
From 1946 until 2008, Mr. Turkington made weekly trips to prisons in New Zealand. Even after ending his regular visits to the prisons, Turkington continued to support other volunteers committed to serving released sex offenders.
“[Turkington] took a special interest in serious sex offenders, many of whom were serving very long sentences,” says Kim Workman, the former director of Prison Fellowship in New Zealand. “He would visit them weekly, providing support and encouragement. Many of the men were without family or visitors, so his visits were always welcome.”
Here in the ‘States, Prison Fellowship is also blessed to have dedicated volunteers who are committed to serving prisoners and their families. And while we aren’t aware of any volunteers who have been at it as long as Mr. Turkington (Prison Fellowship itself has only been around 35 years – only a little more than half of the time of Turkington’s service), those that do serve are every bit as dedicated to shining the love of Christ to the darkest recesses of our prisons and offering God’s message of unconditional love to those that society too often ignores.
For those that have followed God’s calling into the prisons, our sincere thanks and gratitude. May the Kingdom of God be expanded for your faithfulness. And if you are not yet a volunteer, but feel God’s hand directing you to this kind of ministry, please check out https://www.www.www.prisonfellowship.org/get-involved to see how you can help.