Prison Fellowship

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Start a Fundraiser
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Camps
    • Justice Reform
      • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
    • Church Partners
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Resources for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Resources for Angel Tree Coordinators
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • Share on Social
    • For Media Outlets
  • ABOUT US
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
      • About Chuck Colson
      • The Charles Colson Hope Awards
    • Our Beliefs
    • Financials
      • Financials
      • 2022 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News

Prison Fellowship Hope Events: Sharing the Gospel on the Prison Yard

January 28, 2019 by Emily Andrews

  • A Prison Fellowship Hope Event: Sharing the Gospel on the Prison Yard

    On a prison yard heavy with gang activity, a public commitment to Christ can be a bold display.

    by Emily Andrews

April 2018 saw one of the deadliest prison riots in South Carolina in 25 years. The incident at Broad River Correctional Institution left seven prisoners dead and 17 injured. Across the state, maximum- and medium-security facilities spent six months on lockdown to curb the violence.

The tragedy made headlines only to join numerous similar instances in other U.S. prisons. Too often, destructive influences and dangerous personalities perpetuate brokenness behind bars.

But light still seeps through the cracks.

Men and women on prison yards nationwide are discovering the hope of Jesus Christ at a Prison Fellowship® Hope Event. These dynamic one- or two-day events feature inspirational speakers, musicians, and performers who bring the light of the Gospel to men and women who desperately crave hope. At a Hope Event™, prisoners find respite from the challenges of prison life and a safe place to encounter Christ—many for the first time. Those who respond to Him may take a next step to join a faith community.


The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:5, NIV)


SHINING IN THE DARKNESS

Last October, Broad River welcomed a Prison Fellowship Hope Event into its chapel. The Gospel-centered occasion—one of the first in-prison events in South Carolina since the April conflict—could not have been better timed.

Only 50 prisoners attended the event in the prison's chapel, due to lingering security concerns. Men throughout the rest of the prison could watch on closed-circuit TV. Two Christian comedians, Akintunde and GRIFF, lightened the mood in the chapel and took turns presenting Christ's truth to men of all faith backgrounds.

Some audience members had sentences of up to 40 years, and Robert* had spent most of his lengthy term burdened by the guilt and shame of his past actions. He had taken responsibility and accepted the debt he owed, yet forgiveness and peace felt out of reach.

Then James, a Prison Fellowship volunteer, gave the altar call. Thirty-seven men approached the front and spilled into the aisles, forming the shape of a cross. Robert was one of them.

Later, the warden said, "We definitely want to do that again."

prison fellowship hope events

Forgiveness and peace felt out of reach. Then a Prison Fellowship volunteer gave the altar call. Thirty-seven men approached the front and spilled into the aisles, forming the shape of a cross.


HOLY MOMENTS OF HOPE

Each Hope Event not only sparks an interest in the salvation Jesus Christ offers; it can also light a fire in the hearts of prisoners to continue living for Him and to find hope in all circumstances.

In December, a Christmas-themed Hope Event held over the course of two weekends brought comfort and joy to about 200 maximum-security prisoners on all four yards at California’s Salinas Valley State Prison. Classical musicians joined church volunteers—some of whom frequent this facility once a week—to turn the prison gym into a haven for holiday worship. Prisoners on each yard boldly shared their testimonies to the crowd. Scott, a Prison Fellowship volunteer, had been praying faithfully with his team that the prisoners attending might be receptive to the Holy Spirit.

"I am pretty sure our visit to that yard was the first time that a worship service of hope was conducted there," explains Scott. When the invitation to believe in Jesus came over the loud speakers, he saw dozens of hands go up. In total, 40 prisoners on the four yards either made first-time commitments or rededicated their lives to Christ.

On a yard heavy with gang activity, a public commitment to the Lord can be a bold display.

prison fellowship hope event

For those already professing faith, the event brought courage and strength.


For those already professing faith, the event brought courage and strength. One incarcerated man, Dexter, approached Scott after the final song to share his story. That morning, Dexter was spending quiet time with the Lord in his cell and began to weep. The mere thought of volunteers, musicians, and speakers willingly serving in Jesus' name behind bars overcame him.

They embraced and prayed that Dexter would stay strong in his walk. "It was a holy moment," says Scott.

Another prisoner said, "You made me feel like a human being!"

Yet another prisoner said, "For the first time in 20 years, I could let down my guard and sing nostalgic [Christmas] songs."

Scott adds, "Many men from both yards made sure to thank us for coming and [asked us] to please keep coming, as it makes a difference in their lives."

KINDLING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

In addition to responding to Christ, the men at Broad River made other important decisions that day, too. Because of the event's emphasis on family relationships, many men were moved to sign up for Angel Tree®, a program that creates pathways to reconciliation for prisoner parents and their children. This introduction to Prison Fellowship programming also offers other opportunities to prisoners, like the Prison Fellowship Academy®, Connection Classes, and more.

"This even was the perfect opportunity to let men know that they haven't been forgotten by people outside," says James, a Prison Fellowship volunteer at Broad River.

We may only begin to grasp the enduring impact of a Hope Event—not only on those incarcerated, but on their cellmates, spouses, children, and ultimately the communities to which they return. And we can look forward to the ripple effect for generations ahead.

I have heard so much about the testimonies and one-on-one prayers. The music was very inspirational. What made it meaningful to the men was the victories of men who have been right where they are. In a place where there so much brokenness, we all witnessed hope. … Some of them don't get mail. They feel forgotten. Men who have been right where they are rode in from all over the state just to show them some love. I don't even know how many guys have approached me since then and have told me how much it meant to them. Hearing personal testimony from men who have been right where they are, and have recovered through a relationship with Jesus Christ, is their hope.

Jay, Prison Fellowship volunteer, Bridgeport Correctional Center in Texas

"It's amazing how a one-time event can plant many seeds," says Prison Fellowship volunteer Arlene.

*Name has been changed. Article updated February 2019.

Story Disclaimer
Prison Fellowship is founded on the conviction that all people are created in God's image and that no life is beyond God's reach. To that end, we often share stories of lives that have been impacted by our work in prisons around the country. Prison Fellowship does not condone – or require full disclosure of - the crimes committed by those enrolled in our programs, and we take the repercussions of those crimes seriously. It is our sincere goal to present our content in a way that is sensitive to all concerned parties, while presenting examples of men and women who once broke the law, and are now being transformed and mobilized to serve their neighbors. If you have concerns about the content we share, please feel free to contact us directly.

OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN FINDS REAL STRENGTH THROUGH CHRIST

Dr. Michael Strong spent 25 years behind bars. Today, he gives back to his community through his work with the Crime Victims' Compensation Program.

'THE PROFESSOR' GOES TO PRISON

This ain't Venice Beach—this is prison ball.

DID YOU ENJOY THIS ARTICLE?

Make sure you don't miss out on any of our helpful articles and incredible transformation stories! Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, and you'll get great content delivered directly to your inbox.

Your privacy is safe with us. We will never sell, trade, or share your personal information.

SUPPORT THE WORK OF PRISON FELLOWSHIP

SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

 

MORE FEATURED ARTICLES AND STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Derek Made My Day

Helping Fathers Rebuild Relationships With Their Kids

Prison Fellowship Statement on Faith Leader Letter in Support of the EQUAL Act

An Exciting Announcement About Prison Fellowship’s Future

Prison Fellowship Board of Directors Names Heather Rice-Minus as Incoming President and CEO Beginning July 2024

Prison Fellowship Statement on Tyre Nichols

Prison Fellowship Responds to Inaction on Crack Cocaine Sentencing at Close of the 117<sup>th</sup> Congress

Criminal Justice Reform Achievements

Prison Fellowship Applauds Congressional Lawmakers for Passage of Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act

God So Loved a Bank Robber: The ‘Mind-Boggling’ Origins and Ongoing Impact of Angel Tree

Filed Under: Hope Events, Prison & Prisoners, Prison Fellowship News & Updates Tagged With: South Carolina

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN
PF®
PFM®

RECOMMENDED LINKS

  • Ways to Donate
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Angel Tree Program
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Justice Reform

RESOURCES

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • For Media Outlets

JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

JOIN NOW
  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2023 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, Angel Tree Sports ClinicTM, Angel Tree Sports CampsTM, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.