A recent article in the Houston Chronicle highlights the good work being done by members of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative program (IFI) at the Carol Vance Unit in Richmond, Texas. Specifically, inmates at the facility have been renovating old bicycles and tricycles and providing them as Christmas gifts to children in the nearby communities.
In her mug shot, 24-year-old Karen* looks like a frail child, but she has five young children of her own.
On her blog, author Ellen Painter Dollar talks about her family’s involvement in the Angel Tree program at their church, and how it has helped to shape her kids’ view of Christmas – and her view, as well:
My children talk and talk about how the kids will love their gifts.
Joe Avila, Prison Fellowship’s executive director for northern California, recently received the following lettter from Betsy Gewirz’s third-grade class at St. John’s Lutheran School in Napa, California:
Please accept our third-graders’ donation to Angel Tree Camping. Our school held a jog-a-thon in the fall, and a portion of the funds raised by the third-graders was to go to a charity of their choice.
LANSDOWNE, VA, December 20, 2011—Justice Fellowship announces the appointment of Craig DeRoche, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, as their Director of External Affairs. DeRoche will work with federal and state officials to reform the criminal justice system.
Seems like every week I’m reading about some miraculous, come-from-behind victory from Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Which has playoff as well as gospel implications. That’s right, gospel implications. Because Tim never misses an opportunity to talk about Jesus Christ.
Tuesday morning the south Florida team for Prison Fellowship left their homes very early in the morning and traveled to South Bay Correctional Facility to pray and set up for a Christmas event. Prison Fellowship and The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) volunteers were hosting the event for the TUMI participants.
This past week I was in a prison in South Florida. Prison Fellowship’s staff took me there to meet the warden and his staff, and to visit a 50-man unit in the prison. In this unit, the men are studying material from The Urban Ministries Institute (TUMI) in preparation to be leaders and pastors inside and outside the walls of America’s prisons.
When one hears the title “warden” certain images come to mind. The classic thought is derived from movies like The Shawshank Redemption or The Last Castle. These men and women who lord over their little kingdoms must be tough and fearless – cold and controlling.
Focus on the Family interviewed Chuck Colson recently about Breakpoint’s “exploration of ethics” resource Doing the Right Thing. It was broadcast on Focus affiliate stations nationwide and is available online here. Tune in to hear Focus President Jim Daly ask Mr.
Producers of the animated series Theo are joining Angel Tree this Christmas to spread the Good News of Christ’s coming to the children of prisoners.
Angel Tree is encouraging those participating in this year’s program to include a copy of one of the Theo videos with their gifts.
As Christmas approaches, Prison Fellowship will continue to update our list of the counties with the most underserved Angel Tree children. The following 50 counties are those with the largest number of children signed-up for the Angel Tree program that have not yet been assigned to a church (as of 12/03/11).
Blogger David Lundquist has written a great story about Steven Gunning, a participant of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative program at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility. Steven is currently living in a work release house in Minneapolis. The blog entry includes a video interview with Steven, who talks about how Prison Fellowship and IFI helped to bring about a profound change in his life.
Grammy Award-winning singer Dwele is teaming up with church leaders in the Detroit metro area to support Angel Tree in his community.
Appearing on WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Dwele and Pastor David Bullock of the Greater St. Matthew Missionary Church discuss the Angel Tree program, and encourage viewers to get involved in the ministry.
As Christmas approaches, Prison Fellowship will continue to update our list of the counties with the most underserved Angel Tree children. The following 50 counties are those with the largest number of children signed-up for the Angel Tree program that have not yet been assigned to a church (as of 11/25/11).