Chowchilla inmates celebrate Easter with Gospel, music

More than 3,000 men who are serving time at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla celebrated Easter over the weekend with ministry messages, music, comedy and other entertainment.

Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit faith-based organization, brought the Saturday event to the prison. Inmates participated voluntarily.

“We want to present the Gospel, the message of Christ, to the prisoners here in Chowchilla,” said Joe Avila, the regional director of Prison Fellowship.

The event featured speaking by B. Wayne Hughes Jr., founder of Serving California, pastor Tim Rolen from New Hope Community Church in Clovis, comedian Gilbert Esquivel, musician Tim Kepler and various musical acts.

One of the inmates who performed was George Carter II, from Orange County. He sang songs he wrote about the conflicts in the Middle East.

“I look at all that fighting over there, and sometimes I don’t even know what we’re fighting for,” he said. “In the end, it’s not going to matter if we don’t win these battles because God is going to win this war.”

Carter said his faith helps him get through life in prison, and he appreciated the special Easter service.

“It’s always encouraging to have people come from out there, outside of these walls,” he said. “There really isn’t any other way to get through this prison life without faith in God.”

This story was originally published March 27, 2016 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Chowchilla inmates celebrate Easter with Gospel, music."