Children who have at least one parent behind bars face many challenges that their friends and classmates do not. Studies indicate that they are more likely to have attention deficit disorder, behavioral problems, or developmental delay. Those with a mother in prison graduate from college at only a 1-2 percent rate—a percentage that improves to 13-25 percent when the incarcerated parent is the father.
2016 marks the 40th anniversary of Prison Fellowship. Throughout the year, we will be sharing some reflections and stories about the history of the ministry, as well as some thoughts by our founder, Chuck Colson. The following story describes an encounter Chuck shared with a prisoner in Atlanta.
For Sophia Pirelli, it all started in a Sunday school class.
A young boy in that class taught by Pirelli offered a tearful prayer for his father, who had been incarcerated since 2002. The prayer moved Pirelli, who says that God placed a passion in her heart at that moment to serve children who had a mom or dad behind bars.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has a reputation as one of the hardest working basketball players in the NBA. A tenacious rebounder and clutch shooter, “Z-Bo” has become a fan favorite in Memphis, reflecting the city’s blue-collar work ethic.
Zach Randolph (r) guards Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin.
We often hear stories about how Angel Tree reconnected a child recipient with his or her incarcerated parent. But in this story from California, Angel Tree reconnected a volunteer with her formerly incarcerated father. We received the following personal account right before Christmas.
My wife Cathy and I couldn’t tell if anyone was home.
We walked up the cluttered approach to the old mobile home and knocked on the door. There was no car in the driveway and no tracks in the snow that had fallen overnight.
Children at an Angel Tree Christmas party.
Across the nation—and around the world—Angel Tree parties and house deliveries are in full swing, both blessing the children and families of the incarcerated as well as leaving a mark on the volunteers that make it happen.
Beth’s dad liked to drink. Sometimes he’d drink too much and end up behind bars. He wasn’t always there when Beth needed him.
But he did something special for her while in prison—he signed up for Angel Tree.
Every year, thousands of kids receive gifts from their incarcerated parents with the help of Angel Tree.
For many people, the holiday season brings to mind images of bright light displays, evenings spent in front of a warm fireplace, and gatherings of friends and families. It is a time of good tidings, meant to be shared with loved ones.
In moments of challenge, you and I have two options: We can yield to anxiety, or we can choose thanksgiving. We can rejoice in our secure spiritual inheritance. We can rest in God’s promises of provision. We can trust the One who holds us in the palms of His nail-scarred hands.
He remembers it like it was yesterday.
The day Zeeke Griffin’s dad was arrested was the day of 7th-grade basketball try-outs—the day his dad had been planning and preparing him for all year.
“I figured he’d just be home in the afternoon,” Zeeke recalls.
“For me, having a husband that’s incarcerated, it’s like we’re incarcerated too.”
Shamika Wilson is expressing the experience of many who have a family member behind bars. In a short video produced by Al-Jazeera, Wilson and several other people who have had their families separated by incarceration express the challenges—financial, emotional, and even physical—of having a spouse, a sibling, or a parent in prison.
The following is a version of remarks given by Prison Fellowship President and CEO Jim Liske at Movement Day NYC, a gathering of Christian leaders discussing how to cultivate Gospel movements in urban areas across the country. For more information about Movement Day, visit www.movementday.com.