PRISON FELLOWSHIP BLOG: Video

In this week's Insider, Prison Fellowship® field director Denise Harris shares how prisoners in the state of Michigan celebrated Christmas this year.

At the annual Prison Fellowship Christmas concerts at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan and the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, men and women at both facilities were treated to a live performance from recording artist Rufus Harris.

In this week's Insider, Doug Gillquist, the executive director of strategic gifts at Prison Fellowship®, shares the story of a woman whose life seems hopeless at first glance.

"This gal had an incredibly tough background," Gillquist shares. "An abusive marriage. A second relationship outside of marriage where there was perhaps even more abuse …

As Pastor Tommy Smith, Jr. looked around at the Palma Ceia Baptist Church Christmas party for Angel Tree® kids and their families, he was struck by the diversity of the partygoers.

"This was a real cross-section of people," he says, "and it really brought home the fundamental nature of the Church’s mission."

Teshauna experienced the impact that Angel Tree® has on families with incarcerated parents firsthand. Her father was in prison, and the experience was difficult for Teshauna and her family. But Angel Tree stepped in and helped.

“I never realized how much of a need there was until I got involved [with Angel Tree®],” says Christina White.

Christina volunteers every year for her church's annual Angel Tree Christmas party. Her role is to facilitate “fun” for the children.