On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, the goodness of God was demonstrated when 89 inmates publicly declared their faith through baptism. Through the faithful teaching and guidance of the chaplaincy team and all of MHCC’s chaplaincy volunteers, including Prison Ministries volunteers, MHCC held its first-ever, large-scale, full-immersion baptism service.
For many years, there had been only a few baptisms at Maplehurst. At the beginning of 2025, an inmate from the infirmary who had been studying the Bible with one of our dedicated volunteers, Elizabeth Gordon, made a life-changing decision to commit his life to the Lord and requested baptism.
With the chaplain’s guidance and support, Gordon assisted in performing the baptism. This humble and deeply moving act of faith was one of several catalysts that helped build a fresh awakening of love for God among our inmates. Through prayer and perseverance, our institution’s management team also resolved the logistical issues that had previously prevented baptisms. God is doing amazing things among our inmates and encouraging His Christian workers to continue working in faith for His miracles.
In the days that followed the large-scale event on August 20, baptisms continued as inmates testified to one another and publicly declared their faith. Teachings on the importance of baptism in the Christian’s journey have become the focus of Bible study groups in the facility’s chapels and of one-on-one spiritual care conversations with inmates.
On September 22, we baptized another 36 men, and on October 14, another 13. Even more are requesting baptism, which poses some difficulty amid the inclement fall weather with temperatures below 10° C (50° F). We are hopeful that management will find a solution for the facility to fully accept the ritual of baptism as an essential part of the Christian faith. What has most encouraged us during this time is seeing many inmates who had never engaged in chaplaincy programming now working on themselves — on their faith, their relationship with God and neighbor, and their Christian character.
Truly, it has been a season of renewal, redemption, and rejoicing at Maplehurst Correctional Complex. Through the steadfast work of our chaplains and chaplaincy volunteers, and above all, through the limitless goodness and grace of God, many have found new life and hope in Christ.
To God be the glory for the great things He has done, and continues to do, behind these walls and beyond.
Enos Malcolm is the president of the Ontario Prison Ministry Association of Seventh-day Adventists (OPMASDA). Click here to read more about OPMASDA.
