FFC Men and Women's Jail Ministry

Henderson County Detention Center, Athens Texas

Monday Evenings @ 6:00pm

                                                               

"To some it’s just jail house religion, but to others prison ministry is a path to hope"

For some prisoners, faith is part of a return to a more productive role in society.

                               

ISAIAH 61:1-3

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

 

If Jesus were on earth today, would we find Him in prisons? Of course we would. He would be there "to seek and to save the lost!"

Most men and women in prison are there for a reason: They did the crime and are doing the time. Hitting rock bottom is what prods many offenders to take an honest look at their lives and cry out to God for mercy. And God is ready to give it.

• "Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron."
  (Psalm 107:10-16)

Transformed lives point everyone's attention to God! This is the greatest motivation to get involved in prison ministry. No one else can take credit for a life miraculously turned around, but Jesus.

• "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me."
  (Psalm 142:6-8)

 

WHY PRISON MINISTRY?

Why must believers be concerned about prison ministry? Because. . .

1. Prison ministry has a direct Scriptural mandate (Matthew 25:31-40). Throughout the Bible are examples, descriptions, and commandments about prisons, prisoners, bondage, captivity, and slavery. The Bible mentions prison, prisoners, or imprisonment more than 130 times.

2. We should follow the example Christ set by ministering to prisoners.

3. Prisons meet the criteria of any mission field: Lost people and a need for laborers.

4. God is not willing that any should perish--not even serial killers, rapists, and molesters (2 Peter 3:9). God loves even the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

5. Chaplains cannot minister to more than a small percentage of inmates in their care. They cannot do all of the necessary work themselves, as there is just not enough time to do so.

6. Many jails and prisons have no professional chaplains and many have no religious services at all.

7. For every person incarcerated, there are three to five other people affected: Mates, children, parents, etc. Inmates and their families represent a large segment of society in any culture.

 

GOALS OF PRISON MINISTRY

The spiritual goals of jail and prison ministry may include one, some, or all of the following:
1. To share the unconditional love of God.
2. To present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that inmates will embrace it and receive Christ as Savior.
3. To disciple new believers in the Word and teach them how to study the Bible.
4. To demonstrate the power of prayer and teach them to pray.
5. To lead inmates to experience the life-changing power of God that will free them from guilt, shame, negative emotions, and addictions.
6. To minister to inmates’ families.

The social goals of jail and prison ministry are:
1. To help the inmate function more positively within the prison environment.
2. To provide a link between the community and persons confined in correctional institutions
3.To prepare residents for re-entry into society (physically, mentally, morally and spiritually).
4.To assist inmates families in practical ways.
5.To provide post-prison assistance in practical ways.