The prison ministry at First Assembly of God Red Hill recently returned from a visit to the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz., where it held 10 services over three days and attended a graduation ceremony for 19 prisoners taking part in a Christian studies program, said Bulla Eastman, a prison ministry leader.

It was the second time in six months that First Assembly has sent a team, led by Pastor Scott Sonoda, to Saguaro, where more than 1,800 Hawaii men are serving sentences, Eastman said. He was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for men who completed a Life Principles Community Program.

During the trip Aug. 3-5, "We went into the maximum-security modules and worshipped with the men there," Eastman said. "We were able to go into other areas also that normally there is no outside interaction allowed. Being so far from home, the men are very receptive to anyone who comes to visit. All we do is preach about the love of God.

"We were blessed tenfold as a team, and although it was very, very hot — over 112 degrees on one day — we pressed on and continued to plant the seeds of hope with the men. We raised all of the funds to travel and minister to them, and have committed to two trips a year as a minimum. They are neither forgotten nor forsaken."

Eastman said the prison is "fairly new" with a computer lab and a library, "including a fully stocked law library. …The conditions are good, comparable to our Federal Detention Center here by the airport."

The church’s prison ministry, consisting of about 50 volunteers, holds about 40 services every month at several correctional centers in Hawaii. It also offers a video link in conjunction with the Good News Jail House Ministries so inmates in Saguaro can communicate with loved ones here, Eastman said.