WHY PRISONERS?
Below are some of the ways Prison Ministry is important and a benefit not just to the individual Prisoner, but to our society as a whole:
1. God's grace is for everyone.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3: 16
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10: 13
2. There is no Gospel without prison. Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ was arrested, convicted and sentenced. The Gospel was refined and strengthened in Prison by the Apostle Paul and many others. Prison is an integral part of our Christian heritage. Prison is important to our faith, past, present, and future. "Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself..." - Hebrews 13: 3
3. The American Prison System is one of the largest Spiritual Harvest fields in our country. Depending on the year there are approximately 2.2 million incarcerated individuals in the United States at any given moment. All Mission Fields deserve attention, especially one of this size and especially one that can often be a harsh, dark, and lonely place. Prison Ministry can help turn a negative situation into "Prison is the best thing that has ever happened to me, because it is where I met Christ."
4. Prison Ministry helps to drive home basic good character traits in a unique, deep, profound, and spiritual way. Prisoners learn how to forgive, restore, pray, listen, and be patient. This decreases anger, depression, and anxiety and it increases self-awareness, accountability, and empathy.
5. Each year over 600,000 Prisoners are released from State & Federal prisons across the United States. As a huge percentage of the Prisoners currently incarcerated will be apart of our community again, we can't look at this Mission Field as one that is far removed and distant. The Prison Ministry Mission Field is closer than we may think. Prison Ministry is also Community Ministry. When you invest in Prison Ministry you are also investing and contributing to your Community.
6. Jesus Christ has a heart for the Prisoner and blesses those who also have a heart for the Prisoner and the less fortunate among us. In Jesus' last sermon before the cross, He preaches:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25: 34-40
One of Jesus' main target of ministry was the Prisoner. We should always strive to be Christ-like and follow the examples set by Christ. The Bible mentions the words Prison, Prisoner or Imprisonment over 127 times. This is at least 127 reminders for us to consider a group that is lost twice over: lost in one sense, as they haven't found Christ, lost in another sense, because they are out of our sight and hidden away from our everyday life.
7. A change is needed in the United States Prison System. It is definitely a must-have and it does truly help some Prisoners; however, overall it is not working currently. If it was working, most Prisoners would never return. However, in the United States more than 75% of individuals incarcerated will return to Prison. Change and another approach is needed. Our approach is to spread the Good News along with additional tools and resources that are strategically designed to relate to the experience, heart, and soul of the average Prisoner.
8. Chaplains cannot do it all. The ratio of Chaplains to Prisoners is always greatly disproportioned. Chaplains can only minister effectively to a small portion of the Prisoners in their care. They often cannot do all of the desired and necessary work themselves; as like most employees in the Criminal Justice System, they are overloaded.
9. Christians aren't the only group seeking to convert Prisoners. Other groups such as Muslims, Pagans, Atheists and so on are also making efforts. Out of sight means out of mind. Therefore, we must continually strive to increase the presence of Christian Prison Ministry in America's prisons: the battle to win over the many precious hearts and souls of our Prison Population needs all the help it can get.
10. The power and love of Jesus Christ can break any yoke of bondage on any Prisoner. Prison Ministry introduces the Prisoner to the truest Rehabilitation a person can have, a Rehabilitation that is Restorative and Redemptive.
11. The Prisoner who has given his life to Jesus Christ needs all the support, and resources he/she can get. Incarcerated believers in Christ, have the same need as believers in Christ who are in the outside world. All believers should be equipped and supported regardless of their past history and current environment.