Rival Gang Members Baptized Together Inside Maximum Security Prison

Rival gang members were baptized together, in the same water, inside a maximum security prison just outside Dallas, TX. – Truly a miracle!

Gateway Coffield Prison

In November, the Gateway Church of Dallas held their first service in Coffield Prison with over 650 inmates in attendance. The Coffield Unit in Anderson County is a maximum security prison just outside Dallas. It was the first of the many Gateway campuses inside a prison.

“Many of the men and women inside prison have been forgotten by society, but we want them to know we love them and God loves them, and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway stated.

Just recently, a number of prisoners at the Coffield Prison who were in solitary confinement were baptized in the name of Jesus. Among those prisoners were five gang members. Each of them had their hands, feet, and waists shackled for security purposes in order to be baptized.

“They couldn’t lift their arms above their waist, each one has a guard on each arm, and wouldn’t leave their side until they were in the water,” Pastor Niles Holsinger, Gateway Coffield Prison campus pastor, shared.

Having all of these rival gang members being in the same room together raised a safety concern for everyone around. But they proceeded with the baptism ceremony, anyway, and the men were all baptized in the same water!

“We’re going to come out of the water as new men”

“These guys from two different gangs professed the same Lord and were baptized in the same water together and they walked out together, guards not holding onto their arms anymore because God had done something in their life.” Niles said.

Other men in the prison were shaking in fear just by standing next to these gang members. Yet despite the fear for their lives, their willingness to come into a new life overpowered their fear and they followed through with it as well.

“These guys literally know they’re putting their life at risk and they’re doing it anyway,” Niles added.

These men who were charged with heinous, violent crimes surrendered their lives to God and were made new in Him!

“I have tried it my way my whole life and it’s gotten me here. I want to try it God’s way…we’re going to come out of the water as new men,” one prisoner shared.