Amarillo College Ranger

Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Features

Media Credit: Randi Larson Instructor Pete Gonzalez, sitting, works with graphic design student Cesar Sanchez Tuesday in a Parcells Hall classroom. [Click to enlarge]

Listening, developing friendships, praying with them and for them, crying with them and answering questions about God are a few ways Amarillo College Graphic Arts Instructor Pete Gonzalez helps nearby "men in white."

For three years, Gonzalez has been spending time away from AC inspiring prisoners with God's word.

It started when several people asked him to help lead the worship service for a prison ministry called Kairos.

Gonzalez had been asked before to participate in prison ministry, but every time he had shied away from it.

He didn't think that was what the Lord was calling him to do.

Gonzalez said this time he accepted without hesitation.

He was to accompany people and play the guitar. Gonzalez hadn't played his guitar for more than 10 years. He can't recall who informed anyone that he had played the guitar and had one in his home collecting dust.

He never thought he would play his guitar again, and most of the chords he once knew were a distant memory. He asked which songs and in what key they would be played but never got a response.

"Why did you put me in a situation that you knew I couldn't do?" Gonzalez asked God.

"If you can't help one of your servants to play music, why should they trust you with eternity?"

Gonzalez said God's response to his questions was, "I've taken care of it; don't worry."

In the following four days of music and worship, of all the songs he played, there was only one chord that Gonzalez couldn't remember.

The person he was helping showed him the chord, and they continued to play.

"God's grace is sufficient," Gonzalez said.

His first Kairos consisted of praise and worship, which led to later sitting with "men in white," discussing God's mercy.

Continued...

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