As 2013 comes to a close in just a few weeks, we thankfully reflect on the many lives of prisoners that God has restored over the past 12 months. Although the world is a broken place, God has worked miracles to rebuild shattered lives and restore hearts to Him. We invite you to celebrate with us some of the amazing things God has done through Prison Fellowship Ministries (PFM) this year:
February: Charles Colson Task Force
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee set aside funds to establish the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections to make recommendations to increase public safety, improve criminal accountability, reduce recidivism, address victims’ services, and control costs. Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) says, “Chuck made arguably one of the biggest impacts on prison reform following his own incarceration, and his kind heart, strong Christian values, and committed work will live on through the Colson Task Force at a time when it’s needed most.”
March: Easter in Prison
This past Easter, former Prison Fellowship President Garland Hunt visited a prison in Texas to celebrate Christ’s resurrection with prisoners, just like the late Chuck Colson did each year. During Garland’s sermon, 41 prisoners gave their hearts to Christ.
May: Mother’s Day Cards
The Prison Fellowship team traveled to two women’s facilities with beautiful Mother’s Day cards signed by Prison Fellowship partners to give to the mothers. When reading the Bible verse on the card, some women smiled and some tried to hold back tears of happiness.
June: Inside Journal Expands
Inside Journal is Prison Fellowship’s newspaper for America’s prisoners. Chockfull of biblical advice articles and a presentation of the Gospel that prisoners can relate to, Inside Journal is a valuable, cost-effective prison ministry resource. Inside Journal now reaches prisons in all 50 states, and this year, Prison Fellowship printed its first Spanish version of the publication. One prisoner wrote in, “I wish to shout Hallelujah to you and your staff for having the Inside Journal published in Spanish. Enclosed you will find signatures from other sisters who wish to express their thanks, too.” The letter included 46 signatures.
June: The Welcome Back Pack Project
Prison Fellowship began a program to help supply newly released ex-prisoners with the things they need as they reenter society. Program participants purchase items, such as toothpaste, deodorant, bandages, and more. Prison Fellowship packages the items, along with a Bible, in a drawstring backpack and delivers them to halfway houses, parole offices, and local churches that minister to ex-prisoners.
July: Angel Tree Camping
Angel Tree Camping is a program that helps prisoners’ children across the country enjoy a week away at camp where they can learn about Jesus, make new friends with other prisoners’ children, and get a break from their regular lives. This past summer, Angel Tree Camping served 4,989 kids in 41 states!
August: FCC Votes to Cap Phone Rates in Prison
After years of work to limit astronomical phone rates in jails and prisons, Justice Fellowship reached a significant milestone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to cut the rates that prisoners and their families pay for interstate phone calls. Historically, the high cost of long-distance calls from prisoners to their loved ones across state lines has negatively impacted families, damaging the relationship between prisoners and their children, increasing the likelihood of recidivism, and ultimately, decreasing public safety. Justice Fellowship is grateful for the over 4,000 people that signed a petition asking the FCC for lower phone rates.
December: Angel Tree Christmas
Angel Tree, a nationwide program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to hundreds of thousands of prisoner’s children with the love of Christ each year. Through the delivery of a Christmas gift and the Gospel given on behalf of the incarcerated parent, Angel Tree boys and girls are offered the free gift of salvation, feel loved and remembered by their parent, and experience the simple joys of the Christmas season. This Christmas, approximately 375,000 children of prisoners will receive gifts and the Gospel!
It’s Been a Wonderful Year!
PFM thanks all our ministry partners for the faithful stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to them. This generosity has blessed so many prisoners and their families this year. If you would like to make a contribution before the end of the year, please visit www.prisonfellowship.org.
We look forward to all that God will do in 2014 as PFM and our partners continue to be God’s hands and feet in prisons and communities all around the world.
Prison Fellowship Ministries staff gathered at a conference this fall.
