Under the heat of a June sun, hundreds of inmates at an Oklahoma correctional facility gathered on a dry field for an extraordinary day of music, message and ministry.

On June 23, 2025, Victory Christian Center led a large-scale prison outreach at John H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley, Oklahoma, uniting over 700 inmates and volunteers for a day of spiritual connection marked by worship, baptisms, and restoration, The Christian Post reported.

The event was orchestrated by Tulsa-based Victory Christian Center and spearheaded by Pastor Paul Daugherty along with a dedicated team of 32 volunteers. Held on prison grounds, the outreach drew 751 incarcerated men from their housing units into an open field, where they participated in a series of worship-led activities that many attendees described as life-changing.

Pastor Daugherty said the inspiration for the initiative came three months prior, during a moment of reflection when he felt prompted to reach people often forgotten by society. What began as a vision soon found a path to fruition through an unexpected connection with Oklahoma Chief Operating Officer Brian Bobek, who helped secure access to the prison facility.

“I really felt like we could reach a harvest in prisons that few churches pursue,” said Daugherty, who emphasized his desire to reach as many inmates as possible, not just a select few. He was determined to host an outreach that would include nearly everyone housed at the facility.

Worship, baptisms and books distributed

The day’s activities ranged from preaching and worship to the physical distribution of resources and personal ministry. According to organizers, more than 400 participants made professions of faith, and 41 individuals were baptized during the event. Pastor Daugherty recalled being overcome with emotion as he saw the inmates approach the field, calling the scene reminiscent of biblical stories of hope and redemption.

“When I saw them walking out of the prison, it hit me — like witnessing people stepping out of despair,” said Daugherty. He described hugging inmates, praying with them and delivering an altar call that culminated in hundreds of hands raised in spiritual surrender.

The team provided 1,000 hot meals during the event, ensuring that nourishment accompanied the spiritual support given. Volunteers also distributed 700 Bibles, 620 “New Life” books and 710 “Words That Change the World” booklets to encourage continued spiritual growth after the event.

High impact for inmates and staff

Participants ranged in age from their 20s to 70s and were incarcerated for crimes including sexual, violent, or drug-related offenses. Daugherty emphasized that, despite their pasts, each man was met with compassion and spiritual encouragement. “God’s love knows no walls or limits,” the church later reflected on social media.

Along with inmate engagement, the outreach recognized the correctional staff by distributing 100 gift bags through a partnership with CityServe Oklahoma. This gesture aimed to honor the role played by staff members in maintaining the facility and making such programs possible.

One particularly moving encounter came when an inmate recognized Daugherty and told him he had been part of the worship team in church years prior before being incarcerated in 2000. “You’re the son of the pastor who saved me,” the man told Daugherty, who admitted to becoming emotional upon hearing the story.

Growing demand for future visits

Following the overwhelming response in June, Victory Christian Center has already begun planning additional prison outreaches. Pastor Daugherty confirmed that more visits are scheduled for fall and winter 2025, with multiple prisons reaching out to request similar events.

“Praise God. Let’s keep doing this,” said Daugherty, noting the growing need for spiritual outreach behind bars as more institutions express interest. The center aims to broaden its prison ministry both in Oklahoma and possibly beyond.

With roughly 1.8 million people currently incarcerated in the U.S., the scale of the need is undeniable. Organizations like Victory Christian Center are stepping into a gap often overlooked by mainstream religious efforts.

Faith leaders reflect on broader mission

Cody Wilde, senior vice president of correctional programs at Prison Fellowship, offered a broader theological perspective. “We are called by God to love the guilty as well as the innocent,” he said. Wilde also emphasized the value of serving beyond traditional boundaries, describing such work as a form of sacred participation in divine grace.

In a recent op-ed for The Christian Post, Wilde wrote that remembering those in prison, as instructed in Hebrews 13, is more than a mental exercise — it’s about recognizing the inherent worth in every person. “We are invited to participate in God’s work when we join efforts to minister to the incarcerated,” he said.

Pastor Daugherty echoed this sentiment, saying he believes people are beginning to awaken to the brokenness in the world and turning to faith for answers. “Jesus is that answer,” he stated.