Mercy Moment

Shining Christ’s Light in ‘the Darkest of Places’

Prison chaplains like the Rev. Rodney Blomquist share God’s grace and forgiveness with those who are behind bars.

Story and photography by Erik M. Lunsford | Winter 2025

“Prison ministry is a part of the Great Commission,” said the Rev. Rodney Blomquist. In addition to serving as the LCMS Central Illinois District Prison Ministry coordinator, Blomquist has been a volunteer prison chaplain for 34 years at the Taylorville Correctional Center in Taylorville, Ill. “Here is a population that needs to hear the Law and Gospel distinctively divided. They, too, need to hear the Word of God for their salvation and the strengthening of their faith.”

On a Thursday evening in September, Blomquist arrived for his weekly Bible study and greeted the prison staff. They chatted for a while, catching up on local teams and talking about their families. A short time later, Blomquist was led through a large courtyard to a room in the prison. Inside, incarcerated men dressed in blue arrived for the study, stopping to grab hymnals on the way to find a chair.

The Rev. Rodney Blomquist leads Bible study in September at the Taylorville Correctional Center in Taylorville, Ill.

“Most of the men I’ve had in Bible study and chapel services come from towns much like Taylorville. Some were from the Chicago area and even from other countries. Many of them had grown up in the church. They came from all different occupations and vocations,” Blomquist said. “But the one thing they had in common with all of us was they were sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. This was announced to them as a parish pastor announces the forgiveness of sins to the congregation on a regular basis.”

Blomquist’s demeanor is warm and calm. He moves slowly, assuredly. During the Bible study, some men commented, while others only sang along to the hymns. At the end of the hour, following the Common Doxology, most of the incarcerated men filed out. No physical contact is allowed, although a few men lingered to talk with Blomquist.

“Many a man in the Bible study who studies Paul’s Epistles is greatly appreciative to hear that salvation, God’s forgiveness and the change of heart comes from outside of themselves. It comes because of Christ’s life, death and resurrection,” Blomquist said. “For them, it is a great joy to hear that because of Christ, they are accepted by the Father and receive the blessings Christ has won for them.”

The Rev. Dr. Brian Heller, manager of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, said that church workers serving in prison ministry “answer our Lord’s call to bring His message of salvation to all nations, including to the darkest of places to those who are often forgotten. These church workers bring the Word of God and the love of Christ to the least of these, a testament to the truth that Christ died for all people, including those who are behind bars. The work of these servants shows that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s unending love.”

Blomquist encourages other pastors to consider prison chaplaincy and to take advantage of the training available from the Synod and their LCMS district. “Those incarcerated spend the day in cells and fenced-in areas, thus being reminded of the Law and their violation of it. … Prison ministry is just one of many opportunities to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Erik M. Lunsford

Managing photojournalist for LCMS Communications.