Inmates of a maximum-security prison in Texas received a surprise last Thursday when former football star and current ESPN analyst Tim Tebow stopped by.

"So encouraged by what God is doing at Alfred Hughes prison and grateful for the time spent with my new brothers in Christ today!" Tebow says of his experience. He posted pictures and video to his Instagram.

KWTX TV in Waco, Texas reports that an inmate's father had originally contacted Tebow to see if he would be willing to make a visit. Tebow's foundation connected with prison ministry Discipleship Unlimited and arranged the surprise.

Tebow spent the day visiting with inmates and sharing the gospel with them. "So grateful to spend time with my new brothers in Christ at Alfred Hughes Prison and encouraging them in the hope that Jesus brings!" he said in the post.

"I was just so emotional, I started crying and was blown away," Ministry leader Suzanne Mabry tells KWTX. "He was in such a rush when we left but just to spend the day doing this when he could have been doing whatever but this is his passion and it just showed. It meant so much to us and it meant so much to the guys. Just to know someone cared."

"Excited to see how they will use their lives for the Kingdom as the grow closer to God and encourage others to live in faith!" Tebow writes. "Thank you to the Warden and the entire staff- thank you for opening your doors and letting us love on your boys today!"

 
 
 
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We had fun, but I got smoked! So encouraged by what God is doing at Alfred Hughes prison and grateful for the time spent with my new brothers in Christ today! Excited to see how they will use their lives for the Kingdom as the grow closer to God and encourage others to live in faith! Thank you to the Warden and the entire staff- thank you for opening your doors and letting us love on your boys today!

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