Drawing upon his decades of experience, we asked Prison Fellowship volunteer Ashton Hardy the top three characteristics he believes are most important for volunteers who want to work effectively with prisoners. He gave us seven!
Unlike most Prison Fellowship volunteers (or staff!), Ashton Hardy actually knew Chuck Colson “back when”—back when both of them worked for President Nixon in the 1970s. Chuck, then a lawyer, served as special counsel to the president. Ashton, also a lawyer, was one of Nixon’s advance men, helping make logistical and publicity arrangements prior to the president’s travels.
Ashton began ministering to prisoners even before Chuck did, and has been volunteering with Prison Fellowship for many years as a Bible study leader and mentor. One of his “protégés” is Gerry Tinny, a former prisoner whom Ashton mentored both inside and outside prison. Gerry extols Ashton’s persevering love: “I really don’t think there’s anything I could do that would be bad enough for Ashton to say, ‘I don’t want you around here anymore.’ And that’s a great feeling.”
Drawing upon his decades of experience, we asked Ashton the top three characteristics he believes are most important for volunteers who want to work effectively with prisoners. He gave us seven!
- Faith. Read and study the Bible daily. Understand the simple biblical Gospel clearly (John 3:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and have a procedure to give a clear presentation. Repeat it regularly so prisoners also learn the method to share with others.
- Love. Have a heart for the lost, regardless of their background. This is a work of the Holy Spirit. Without love in your heart, you are ineffectual. Inmates understand hypocrisy.
- Call. Be sure of God’s call to prison ministry—also a work of the Holy Spirit. Those who are not sure of their call usually face a quick loss of interest. I think it is the call of God that overcomes all frustrations.
- Dedication. Inmates desire and expect regularity. We go in once a week—every week. Inmates look forward to our Bible studies and are disappointed if we’re not regular. Have a substitute available if you have to be away.
- Gift. God uses each of His children differently. Know what your spiritual service gift is and how God wants you to use it.
- Truth. Use the Bible (not your personal opinion) to teach. Visits are nice, but teaching develops maturity, which is essential for prisoners’ future post-release survival.
- Patience. The Gospel sometimes needs time to sink in. And inmates can be argumentative at times. Knowledge and acceptance of the Gospel is the key to true repentance and effective witness to the world (including to fellow inmates).
