prison ministry

	Duration: 03:53 minutes Upload Time: 2007-10-09 04:33:19 User: michelle2chat :::: Favorites :::: Top Videos of Day
Description: I only wanted this to be a brief video, but I want to provide information to anyone who may have thought about doing this. Feel free to ask questions. I would encourage you to check with your church or the prisons/jails in your area to see if there are existing ministries available which you could join. If not, and if you are considering starting something up yourself, I'd be more than happy to hook you up with the ministry I'm involved with if you want to learn from them how to go about it or to borrow ideas from them to get started. The need is great: In my area there is typically a list of approx. 100 inmates waiting for a volunteer at any given time, which I would imagine is most likely fairly typical across the country. Many inmates become believers while incarcerated; you can be an encouragment to them. Others, who are not open to the gospel, will at least be able to reflect on the fact that a christian cared enough about them to visit. Its not about feeling sorry for them; they are in prison for a reason, and you are not shortening their sentence in any way. Its about the fact that Christ loves them too and has not forgotten them. Its about showing them they can have hope for the future, both in this life and for eternity. Matthew 25:36
Comments
blueridge08865 ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 10:48:56 When I was in the Navy, Stationed in Yokosuka, Japan...as a member of the Blue Ridge Gospel Choir...we visited a prison in Japan...it was an unforgetable experience... __________________________________________________
donny71954 ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 13:04:29 Great message my sister. Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? __________________________________________________
Jaynagurl ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 14:38:08 God Bless you for doing this :) It's needed a lot in my city too! __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 17:46:41 blueridge: what was it like? __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 18:01:52 Jayna: The prison is an hour away from me..that plus the waiting time..it can end up taking a whole afternoon but how can we neglect those who ask for visits, esp. considering that Christ specifically mentions visiting prisoners? The commitment is once per month, but some go more often. It is a long term relationship; you stay connected until they parole. That's when I began a break, when my last one paroled, but I decided a few days ago that its time to return. __________________________________________________
blueridge08865 ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 18:07:53 It was the only audience we ever had that was not allowed to stand or show any reaction to the music...the Japanese prison was very strict...I am cetain this was the first experience most of these men had to Christian music and Christianity...the Spirit of God filled this room...even without the prisoners being allowed to react... __________________________________________________
Jaynagurl ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 18:16:07 That's so awesome! __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 18:18:17 Awesome. I bet they have never forgotten it either! __________________________________________________
DianaMarie777 ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 21:24:29 Thats awesome Michelle. I have a few friends that have been involved in a womans prison ministry and God has blessed them and the inmates greatly. May God bless you sister! __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 21:31:11 This is a very large woman's prison. I should have pointed that out! That is how they match people up, women to women, men to men... __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 21:31:46 I had a very dear lady PM me that she felt bad about not doing this... please, I don't want anyone to feel that way. We all do different things during different seasons of our lives, if not now, perhaps one can do this in the future. For me, now that my sons are grown, I should have more opportunities now and in the future to do things than I did when I was raising them. __________________________________________________
EMTRUE ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 21:49:44 This does not appear to be a healthy idea. Of course inmates are in need of help, but this help should come from professionals. The nonprofessional has no idea what he/she is getting into. If you look at it from the inmate's perspective, it still seems misguided. He or she wants a relationship with anyone on the outside and perhaps desperately so. This is possibly a harmful undertaking for both sides psychologically. __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 22:01:21 Everyone needs a friend, EM. :) I'm not there to offer them psychological help. They have mental health professionals for that. I am there as a friend. __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 22:06:10 And if you are wondering, NO I do not push christianity on them. :) They go into it knowing we are christians...when they sign up they know its a christian outreach. They are free to ask questions but there's no bible thumping. Of course I'd love for them to come to faith in Christ but there is no arm twisting. __________________________________________________
michelle2chat ::: Favorites  2007-10-09 22:06:22 Anytime I get to give someone a hug and just sit down with them to talk about their day, I'm glad for the opportunity! If they want to ask about my faith, great, if not, it doesn't change the fact that we can just be friends... you really needn't worry. :) __________________________________________________