Prisons are among the most fertile places for the uninitiated to grow into faith. That being said, prisoners often need to feel that whatever they are doing is of their own initiative, and they aren't being led, or forced. Therefore, carefully planting the seeds to grow a prison ministry can be most effective during the years you spend in penitentiaries.
Examine yourself.
Planting seeds means many things. Perhaps the most important is within yourself. How do others perceive your actions? Do you portray the characteristics Jesus taught in the gospels? This can be a tricky order to fulfill indeed. Balancing things like love for all men, and the hospitality of the Good Samaritan in a place full of criminals needs careful consideration and thoughtful prayer each step of the way. If you have access to a prison chaplain or a Christian visiting or writing you for advice, all the better. Striking a balance between generosity and cautioning your actions to protect yourself from being taken advantage of is a fine line to walk, but again, fully possible. And you'll surely learn as you go.
Keep in mind that what you're doing is not to glorify you, or your abilities.
In humility, we express our gratitude for the opportunities we are given. We show our love for Jesus Christ in all our actions, from our good sportsmanship on the basketball court, to our choices in entertainment on the prison yard. You're always being watched!
Network With Local Authorities
Talking with former prisoners is also a great resource. Speak with the local sheriff to see if such a ministry is already in place. Make an appointment to meet them by phone. Use the same procedure with the city; speak to the local Chief of Police in person to see what steps are needed. A personal visit is always more successful than a phone call or a letter. You will find local and county officials more open to the idea if you have a plan in place, which will be discussed later.
Face to Face Meeting
You may not be able to schedule a face to face meeting. Sometimes county and city authorities like the Chief of Police (for cities) or Sheriff (for counties) are reluctant at first. State and Federal prison systems are more stringent. Sometime these facilities have prisoners that are quarantined and are only allowed visits by family and the visitation sometimes may only be possible behind a glass partition. And they may have limited visitation times as well. State and Federal systems are usually more often located at a greater distance and are less accessible than those of a city or county nature so gaining access to them is strategically more difficult.
Get a Clear Plan of What You Want to Do
Before you make contact with any authorities, have a specific plan in place. You want to make sure that you have the city and counties best interests at heart. Prisoners will often shy away from pure Bible teaching or preaching. They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Your first visits will always be a getting acquainted type of meeting. What are their interests? Do they plan on developing a trade or have an interest in a particular occupation if they are to be released? Even if you are unable to gain access to prisoners, you can at least minister to them through biblical literature, provide them with trade journals or magazines. Make sure you are clear with your intentions.
Consider Your Own Record
Some local and county jails may require a background check which includes a criminal background check. The two that I have been to do not require this. They do want to know about you. They might run a check on you to see if you have any outstanding bench warrants or unpaid fines or tickets.
By the way, some institutions do not have a regular Sunday service. Even fewer have a Wednesday night Bible Study. A Church service in the prisons or jails is run somewhat like any local church. However, check with the chaplain or religious activities coordinator (if there is one) before your first service to make sure that you understand the customs of the group. The members of the Christian community in most prisons get along with each other much better than those on the outside, and many consider the service to be “their” church. You are just a visiting preacher. If you can not be there Sunday mornings since you may be attending your own church, then perhaps you can offer them a Sunday evening service.
Keep it Non-Denominational
Because of the interdenominational nature of the group you will be dealing with, and the mixed group of preachers who conduct the services, it is important that you not go in emphasizing the doctrinal distinctives of your denomination. There is a wealth of material in the Bible that you can use without having to go into the small number of areas that we do not agree on. Keep in mind, most prisoners will be either babies in Christ, or they will be unsaved and so keep it simple. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing; and that is Christ and Him crucified for them. You do not want to divide the inmates on doctrinal differences. It is best to go with the milk of the Word and stay away from the meatier things of the Bible. This is not seminary. No preaching, but just teaching. Let them have input. Don’t dominate or cut off other prisoners if they have something to offer.
Meet a counsellor
To start something as delicate as this,you need a counsellor to speak with you.someone who understands this field more than you.you need his experience.
Pray
This on its own is a ministry.Passion for souls is not enough.you need to seek the face of God to start this and you must not start alone without a definite instruction s from God regarding this.
Become a prison Chaplain today.
Register for chaplaincy at
CHAPLAINS FELLOWSHIP OF NIGERIA
35/37 Oluwole Olaniyi Str,
Iyana Ipaja bustop,
Agege,
Lagos,Nigeria
Agege,
Lagos,Nigeria
Email: cfnijesus@yahoo.com
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