Why We Chose to Include CLI in Our Will

By John & Luz Frye, CLI Partners

In Matthew 22:38-39 Jesus tells us: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

There is no limit in Jesus’ command to love our neighbor. We love others based on God’s abiding love for us in Christ. In response to this love, we share it with all whom we come in contact with—our “neighbors.” There are thousands upon thousands of our “neighbors” who are incarcerated and whom we may never meet on this earth, but this does not mean that we can ignore them. “Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself.” Hebrews 13:3

The US has the highest percentage of incarcerated people in the world, and we are convinced that a relationship with Christ will lead them to integrate back into society as they regain their freedom with their own commandment to love their neighbor as themselves.

Through the ministry of CLI, those who are imprisoned may gain the understanding that love and forgiveness are also available to them through Jesus Christ, and that they can help others understand God’s forgiveness and hope, even inside the prison walls. Paul’s example of ministering while in prison illustrates the far-reaching effects of one Christian among inmates.

We chose to include CLI in our will because we trust that, with the Lord working through CLI, the imprisoned across the country will have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and establish a lasting relationship with Him. We look forward to meeting those thousands upon thousands of “neighbors” who are incarcerated today. We know that with God’s help and guidance and through the ministry of CLI, we will be able to meet in heaven.

If you are interested in learning more about including CLI in your will, read more about legacy giving.