Taking the Gospel Behind Bars

[intro]“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:34-40[/intro]

This story told by Jesus illustrates that when we love and serve those who are overlooked or ignored by society, we directly love and serve God.  For years this scripture pressed me to build a relationship with someone in prison.  Once I finally began taking steps toward finding a prison ministry, I was met with walls and discouragement. Then as an answer to not only my own prayers, but likely the needs and prayers of many others, God used random situations and people and put them into perfect place, providing a foundation for a women’s prison ministry. As the ministry is coming into its fourth year, it amazes me to watch God continue to weave more and more lives into this ministry, and to hear the stories of blessings that unfold along the way.

Incarceration for most means being forgotten by the only friends and family you had.  It is a place where you have no one you can trust and nothing to count on.  Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”  Prison is such a place where many are ready to hear about Christ’s unconditional love for them.  Our mission has been to bring the Gospel to those behind bars, enabling the incarcerated to feel the peace, hope, love, and joy of Christ which most have never before experienced.

This program began with women only but we also know of men who would like a Christian mentor. If you are interested in bringing Christ’s love to those behind bars, there are many ways to do so:

• Mentor one person through letters and possible future visits. (All writers are assigned to someone of the same gender.)
• Send birthday cards to inmates in the ministry. (Also great for life groups and kids.)
• Be a small group facilitator at a weekly 12-step Gospel-centered program (Bridge Builders), held at the women’s prison in Ypsilanti for six months.  (Women only.)
• Contribute toward the purchase of workbooks and recovery Bibles used in the Bridge Builders program.
• Buy gas cards for those who make the two and a half hour drive to the prison and back.
• Purchase underwear, socks, gift cards, pillows, and other items for women being released from prison.
• Assist with administrative functions.

If you are interested in being involved in prison ministry, check out our website and contact me at [email protected].

 

Got questions, comments, or suggestions for this blog? We’d love to hear them! Just e-mail us at [email protected].

Photo credit: William Warby