Why coming alongside local churches is central to all we do
In June 2024, Prison Fellowship® unveiled our new mission and vision at a special service in Washington, D.C. There, President and CEO Heather Rice-Minus announced our mission to encounter Jesus with those impacted by incarceration—and our vision to see revival of the Church inside and outside of prison as a result, a revival that will bring justice, mercy, and hope to our culture.
Embedded within our vision is the Church—and this is no accident. From the inception of Prison Fellowship, our founder, Chuck Colson, envisioned our work being accomplished through the Church. In fact, he even expressed the sense that God would remove His hand from Prison Fellowship if we failed to equip the Church.
Today, we are no less passionate about this central value.
A BELOVED BRIDE
But why? Does it matter that we engage local churches rather than just individual believers? We think it does!
In the Old Testament, God called out a people for Himself through the line of Abraham. And after the coming of Jesus, we once again see Him setting apart a “holy nation” of His own: the Church (1 Peter 2:9). In Ephesians, Paul tells us that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her (5:25). While it is true that God reconciles individual people to Himself, there is no denying that His Bride—the collective of all who believe and trust in Jesus for salvation—is at the center of His heart.
TO SERVE, NOT SUPPLANT
The Church with a capital “C” refers to the Body of Christ all over the world. But this universal Body finds its expression in individual local churches—groups of Christians who come together to sit under the Word, receive sacraments, and serve their communities. We believe local churches are the primary conduits for Jesus’ ongoing ministry here on Earth.
For this reason, we seek to equip churches. As a parachurch ministry, Prison Fellowship is called to come alongside and help the local church do what it is called to do. We in no way seek to supplant the local church or do its work; our goal is to equip and empower each congregation to be the hands and feet of Christ within their respective community.
MULTIFACETED MINISTRY
One way the Church serves the incarcerated is through Prison Fellowship Angel Tree®. Since 1982, we’ve been connecting parents behind bars with their children through a gift, a personal note, and the opportunity to receive a copy of the Bible—all thanks to local churches. Last Christmas, more than 4,500 churches in all 50 states stepped up to help strengthen family bonds this way. And after Christmas is over, many churches continue to serve Angel Tree families all year long.
Prison Fellowship partner churches also go into prisons to help facilitate in-prison ministry. It’s amazing to see walls come down when incarcerated men and women realize that they are not forgotten—that their brothers and sisters outside want to encounter Jesus alongside them. Through one-time events and ongoing programming, local church volunteers are pouring out their time and energy to walk beside those in prison.
Another way churches serve is by raising awareness of the need for second chances. Returning citizens face countless hurdles to success—barriers impacting everything from employment to housing to transportation. As local churches lovingly come alongside their formerly incarcerated brothers and sisters—welcoming them into their pews and offering practical support—those with a criminal record gain a chance to start a new chapter.
THE CHURCH INSIDE
The Church does not just exist outside the razor wire—the Church behind bars is alive and well! In fact, the circumstances of prison often produce unique strengths. Incarcerated believers tend to know that they need Jesus; their stories don’t leave room for the illusion of “having it all together” that others may entertain. Christians inside often experience a unique level of accountability—with consistent obedience to Jesus as the result. And many use their time to study and memorize the Word, yielding a mastery of Scripture many of us can only aspire to.
As we seek to facilitate ministry for local churches, we are continually inspired by and grateful for the example of our brothers and sisters behind bars. Together, may we know Jesus better and grow in fruitfulness for His Kingdom!
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