Raquel St. James

Raquel St. James understands Kingdom. It’s evident in the reading of her book, Holy Hell, that she is not willing to abide by old religious and traditional mindsets when it comes to ministry, especially in the prison. She is fully aware of her identity as a king and priest, and that she holds in her hands, the authority of keys, which will unlock the hearts of those that she ministers to. The imprisoned will also discover that they are children of Almighty God, and that they can find freedom in the midst of their captivity. This is a powerful book and kingdom guide for prison ministry.

Raquel lived the essence of prison ministry, expressed from a heart of compassion, fortitude, and love that was forged in the fires of difficulty, mistakes, triumph, and passion. She could see the beauty and potential of those behind razor wire, knowing the reality of the chains we all strain against. “All ministry is prison ministry,” she explained, moved by a desire for everyone to find true, lasting freedom. She lived her convictions and bared her soul to bring hope and freedom to the prisoner. Her wisdom and insight need to be heard so that liberty may be proclaimed to the captives and the prisons may be opened for them that are bound.

The truth is I couldn’t do what Raquel St. James was doing. She was a determined, fearless soul who traveled to remote Texas prisons, armed only with her calling and desire to minister to believing inmates. She regularly faced down imposing physical and spiritual barriers that would have deterred others, that deterred me. (If I had this guidebook then, I would have rated quite low on the prison-ministry preparedness scale.) But I still could help. I could be a support behind the work she was doing. I could enable her while Raquel fulfilled her calling. So I resolved to do that in whatever way she needed and however I could. As a result, in the intervening decade and a half, I was gifted with stories of the prisoner saved, truly saved. Prison ministry may be for you… or helping the prison minister may be for you. Either way, this book, the capstone of Raquel’s life’s work, provides the knowledge needed to reflect Christ to those behind razor wire needing Him most.

On the day Raquel walked into the Eastham Unit, I met a young woman filled with the spirit of our Father Yahweh who would grow to become a beloved sister in faith and lifelong friend. On that same day, I saw her as a scale to measure other volunteers by as she exemplified all the traits of what a good volunteer should be.

She didn’t walk in the door assuming she was there to change things. She listened and participated to see what Yahweh was already doing on the unit. She didn’t assume she was only there to minister to prisoners. One bad volunteer can turn away hundreds of needy souls. A good volunteer listens and truly gets to know the needs of those being served. In my book, over a decade later Raquel St. James still proves herself to be that volunteer.

Raquel St. James has been a major influence in the lives of many men and women, my own included.  She is a woman of God who has great compassion for the suffering and the incarcerated. I have known Raquel for 15 years.  She is my mentor, best friend, and sister in the faith.

Raquel St. James and Broken Vessels Fellowship Prison Ministry have been there for me over 11 years. She was instrumental in the early development of a small group weekly study course that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Chaplaincy adopted and sent out all their units. Raquel has remained faithful to the call as Volunteer Chaplain and those she has mentored. I am the Godly man and priest I am today because of her scriptural insight and the way she has continued to support my spiritual walk and inmate prison ministry. Raquel is a true comrade and Kingdom fighter behind the razor wire.

Raquel St. James is an angel who blessed me with the privilege of calling her friend, sister, and fellow servant.  Since paroling and founding my own prison ministry, she’s been my ‘idiot bump’ down the highway of life in the free world. When I get off course, she gently guides me back.  She is one who truly stands in the gap as a true warrior of God. 

I first met Raquel St. James in 2012 at the Eastham Unit. What impressed me most was her heart. I was deeply entrenched in a sinful lifestyle behind razor wire, but Raquel saw something much deeper than my sins.

After every Sabbath service someone would tell me, “Raquel asked about you, said she loved you, and hoped to see you next Sabbath.” It was her love that brought me back to worship services. It was Raquel’s constant love for me, even in the midst of my sin, that spoke to my heart the most.

Raquel is serious about her calling and what God the Father has called her to do and be behind the razor wire.  As a prison volunteer, she’s our number 1 fan. The apostle Paul wrote, “you are more than conquerors” and Raquel is the one who reminds us of this scripture through her labor of love, prayers, and service.