Uruguayan Prison Experiences Spiritual Revival

Approximately two decades ago, a remarkable journey of faith began in a Uruguayan prison, where the power of prayer and relentless dedication have led to an astonishing spiritual revival among people.

The seeds of this transformation were sown when a couple of individuals embarked on a mission to pray for revival within the prison’s walls. For 20 years, their unwavering commitment saw them visiting the prison week after week, with seemingly little progress. However, a recent shift in fortunes has breathed new life into their efforts.

In a testament to the power of faith, several prisoners embraced Christianity, triggering a chain reaction that brought even more souls into the fold. As the numbers grew, the pastoral team within the prison began guiding and disciplining these new believers.

One particularly challenging section of the prison had earned a notorious reputation for its hostility. So dire were the conditions that, just a year ago, even the guards refused to enter, barricading the bars to protect themselves from prisoners hurling excrement. The prison director sought the help of the pastors.

Undeterred by the dangerous atmosphere, the pastors approached the bars and began preaching to the inmates. Some listened, accepted Christ, and changed their ways. A few months later, the pastors took a daring step and entered the zone alone, as the guards refused to follow. Their fearless commitment paid off, and today almost every one of the approximately 120 prisoners in that zone has accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. In total, there are now around 600 believers in a prison that houses approximately 1,200 people.

The news of this transformation reached the ears of Jimbo and Timbrel Hull, International Workers (IWs) from the U.S. Alliance serving in Uruguay. Jimbo, a revivalist/evangelist, was compelled to witness the revival himself. What he saw was truly awe-inspiring—large groups of prisoners worshiping God with all their might.

Inspired by what he witnessed, Jimbo began accompanying the pastoral team, even preaching in the chapel services. It wasn’t long before the lead pastor sought guidance on how to nurture and steward this revival. The answer was clear: train the inmates in the power of prayer.

With the approval of the pastoral team, Hull introduced the College of Prayer (CoP) to the prison ministry. The CoP ministry is a prayer movement initiated in 1997 by Pastor Fred Hartley III, an Alliance pastor who had experienced burnout and then a personal revival after seeking a fresh encounter with Christ. Gathering 30 ministry colleagues in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, they sought God through prayer, worship, and fellowship, leading to transformative experiences.

Fred Hartley IV, CoP’s church relations director, shares that the ministry continues to grow its mission of mentoring pastors and leaders to reach a lost world through a revived church. They aim to rebuild the “Upper Room,” providing curriculum to teach prayer principles for individuals, families, and churches. With a vision to expand their training worldwide, the CoP is steadily approaching the realization of their five-year goal to reach every nation on earth and every state in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Within the Uruguayan prison, Hull began to train a small group of leaders from among the prisoners and pastoral team—about 15 individuals in all. These leaders took the teachings back to the rest of the people. Despite initial apprehension, they discovered anointing and described how people listened attentively and then fervently prayed.

God is raising up his Church in this prison in Uruguay. People are discovering the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of the Father and are passing it on with unwavering confidence and power. The overflow of the Holy Spirit within the prison is undeniable, and every visit brings confirmation of Jesus’ promise to be present.

As a practical demonstration of God’s love, the El Estar Alliance church members and friends donated money to purchase 100 blankets that were taken to the prisoners. They live in a large open building, without heat and most of them did not have anything to keep them warm in the cold, damp Uruguayan winter.

This story shows us the power of faith, dedication, and prayer, demonstrating that hope and transformation can flourish even in the most inhospitable places. We praise God for how he uses his people in every place to extend his Kingdom. To God be the glory forever and ever!