Operation Starting Line

Operation Starting Line (OSL), a program of Prison Fellowship, is centered around a collaborative network of national, regional, and state ministries across the country that together seek to evangelize and disciple juvenile and adult prisoners and their families through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. OSL events cover many different formats including large-scale gatherings with entertaining performers, dynamic preachers, ex-prisoners sharing their stories, family-connection events, and discipleship and prayer workshops.

Volunteers who feel called to help with OSL are asked to sign up through their local Prison Fellowship field staff who will provide training. Volunteers will learn the common do’s and don’ts of prison ministry, and will be prepared to hand out ministry brochures and booklets, assist with event set-up, and share the accepting love of God by simply talking with inmates as they hear the gospel clearly presented.

Since 2000, over 725,000 prisoners in 32 states have been reached through OSL. This translates into more than 3,400 in-prison events in over 1,000 prisons nationwide where volunteers have brought the life-changing message of Jesus Christ right where inmates live – on the prisoners’ turf.

To learn more about these exciting OSL events, click here to watch, “Letter from a Prisoner” (4:58 minutes long) or “Changing the Life of a Prisoner” (3:04 minutes long).

We appreciate your interest in getting involved in this ministry that brings hope to thousands! With your care, prisoners can experience the love of God, which can lead to healing and wholeness for themselves and their families.

To take part in OSL Volunteer Orientation training, please contact field staff in your area to learn about Prison Fellowship’s online and/or group training options.

This is only the beginning!

Learn more about Operation Starting Line:

To learn more about the mission and goals of Operation Starting Line, please view “OSL Overview” (Powerpoint | PDF)
To view the Operation Starting Line brochure, click here.
To view the Operation Starting Line newsletter, “OSL Connections”, click here.
To view the minutes from the latest Operation Starting Line meeting, click here

Learn more about being an OSL volunteer:

Volunteers who participate in OSL events complete the OSL Orientation Video
The video of “Operation Starting Line at Folsom Prison” provides a sample of a large scale in-prison evangelism event in a prison.

Learn more about OSL Discipleship materials:

The Running the Race Bible correspondence enrollment card can be sent to a prisoner to enroll in the Operation Starting Line Bible study program offered by Crossroad Bible Institute. Click here (English | Spanish)
The Running the Race Bible Study and Bible Correspondence booklet is provided to prisoners in OSL events to enroll in the Operation Starting Line Bible Correspondence program offered by Crossroad Bible Institute. Click here (English | Spanish)
The Book of Hope Family Freedom Collection offered by One Hope is a resource for ministry to prisoners, their children and caregivers. View the front and back covers to learn more about the collection and how to order the booklets.

Collaborators

Prison Fellowship partners with dozens of Christian ministries and volunteers to help facilitate evangelistic events in prisons throughout the country. For a list of collaborators, click here.