ORLANDO — "I’d never been inside one [prison] before," said Willie Smart, a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Orlando. "At first, I didn’t want to go…I didn’t know what to expect, I just hesitated."

Other members of the Circuit Riders Male Choir expressed a similar reaction when their pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey Oglesby, invited them to help him lead worship Feb. 27 at the Central Florida Reception Center, a high-security facility that houses up to 1,282 inmates entering the state prison system.

Once the eight men, ranging in age from 30 to 83, entered the prison, however, their attitude changed. "It was a good thing, being part of prison ministry, which is what Christ was all about," said Willie Scott, another member of the choir. "They [inmates] were enthusiastic. We were pumped by their spirit. They lifted us up."

The Rev. Thomas Samuel, a United Methodist serving as prison chaplain, invited Oglesby to preach a sermon for Black History Month. "I invited the men to come sing," Oglesby said. "I thought it would be good for some of the men to connect with men in prison."

When Oglesby presented the idea to the men’s choir there "was real resistance," he said.

After Oglesby spoke to choir members, many changed their minds. "After the reverend’s talk, I said, ‘Don’t let our pastor go by himself. Let’s go support our pastor,’ " Smart said.

Once inside the prison, the choir found things ready and waiting for them, Oglesby said. The prison chapel already had a sound system and overhead projector. Two prisoners, one of whom is a United Methodist, played the keyboard and drums, and others helped the choir set up.

Scott said it was obvious God was already in the prison preparing things for the choir.

The choir performed praise and gospel songs, including an encore. After the service, they shook hands with every one of the nearly 200 men in attendance.

Smart said he was impressed by what he saw in the prison. "I learned it was not as bad as I thought. I was surprised at everything being so nice and together," he said. "The inmates gathered in their own time of song and praise. All of them seemed to enjoy the service."

Oglesby said the trip was a powerful one for choir members. "The big thing is they overcame their resistance and reservations about going in…," he said. "They stepped out in faith, not knowing what to expect, and were greeted quite powerfully by the men and musicians there."