Walking the Romans Road in Scranton 

by Robert Mitchell

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” —Romans 7:24–25 

The Book of Romans is chock-full of deep theology pertaining to sin, faith, grace, the righteousness of God, and many other aspects of the Christian faith. 

It also includes the Apostle Paul pouring out his heart about his own struggles with sin, particularly in Romans 7:15, where he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” 

Captain Neil Childs, the corps officer of the Scranton Citadel Corps in Pennsylvania, said that’s one reason why he chose Romans for a Bible study involving congregants from his church and men from the next-door Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). The weekly Tuesday night study draws 12 to 18 people, including many who struggle with drugs and alcohol and are looking for deliverance from their addictions. 

Captain Neil Child and Envoy Joan Pierce.

“We were able to use Romans as an example of how we’re constantly hit on daily by Satan with temptations we know are wrong, but we know that if we follow through with Christ, we are able to overcome those temptations,” Childs said. 

Romans was a good starting point, he said, because the epistle clearly presents the gospel message through the “Romans Road,” a series of verses Christians often share with nonbelievers. The book also lays out how all people are sinners — even within the church. That resonates with those hoping to overcome their addictions. 

“Of course, sin still exists,” he said. “It’s just how we relate to that sin that makes the difference.” 

Finding words of hope 

Childs co-teaches the Bible study with Envoy Joan Pierce, the administrator of the Scranton ARC. To Pierce, the study on Romans 7 felt particularly relevant and impactful for the men as they discussed what the Apostle Paul had to say about sin and the law of God.  

“They acknowledged the struggle between the spirit and the flesh — our sinful nature — and desiring to do what is good but doing what they hate to do rather than what they want to do,” she said. “They accepted Paul’s conclusion to this dilemma that we cannot save ourselves from our sinful nature, and that we are delivered only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death. 

“The concept of grace, God’s unmerited favor, has been eye-opening for some people.” 

Childs said the men from the ARC are often quiet and don’t quite know what to make of the Bible study when they first arrive. Some initially gave standard “Sunday school answers” when asked questions. But Pierce said they eventually “shared some deep insights.” 

As the weeks progress and the men realize the study is a safe space, they get more comfortable and open up about their struggles and their troubled pasts. 

“It’s fascinating to watch and really heartwarming to be a part of that,” Childs said. “They come out of their shells and not only accept the Word, but they begin feeding on the Word. They start to dig in deeper, and that’s when you really begin to see the real growth.” 

It’s all about grace 

Some of the men have asked Childs and Pierce hard questions about Christianity. Even one of the most hardened skeptics turned into a believer. 

“The best part is when they have that ‘aha moment’ and the light suddenly shines in their eyes and they get it,” Childs said. 

Pierce added, “It’s been really relevant to them. It’s been surprising how much they participate and how much they share in the Bible study.” 

Childs and Pierce are using material from RightNow Media for the Bible study. The men and women meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone then breaks up for men’s and women’s ministry groups from 6 to 7 p.m. for more fellowship and teaching. 

Michael Rutecky, who attends the Bible study from the ARC, said he struggles with faith issues and asked Childs many questions. Born into a Roman Catholic family, Rutecky was raised to believe he had to “do the routine” of church attendance and other works to earn salvation. 

“Captain Childs told me it’s not about the routine,” he said. “It’s about having Jesus in your heart. He told me you can do all that stuff and still not be saved.” 

Returning to God’s Word 

Rutecky recently got a job and has found attending the Bible study difficult, but he clearly remembers the major points the group learned. 

“I enjoyed it,” Rutecky said. “It helped me a lot.” 

Another person the Bible study helped was Fuquan Henderson, a recent ARC graduate. 

Captain Neil Child and Fuquan Henderson.

“It’s a great class and I love going there,” he said. “There were some things in the Bible I didn’t understand, but once it came out of the teacher’s mouth, I understood it a little bit better.” 

Henderson said he was especially helped by Romans 13:12, which calls for believers to “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” He now believes he is on a better road. 

“I was always down and out and didn’t believe in myself,” he said. “I had let the Lord go for a while, but once I got into this program, I got back in the Bible. That brought me back to myself.”

Visit the Scranton Citadel Corps website for more information.