We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
It seems there’s not a lot of people who want to get involved in prison ministry. However, if you are called to this unique ministry, there are various ways you or your church can participate in or start your own. Such as visiting inmates either in person or via video visits. Helping them with hygiene, envelopes, stamps, etc., or writing to them either through email or letters.
You can read my post about writing letters here. We will cover each of the others in a separate blog post in the coming days and months. Let’s go over some general rules.
The one key thing to keep in mind is why they did what they did to end up in prison. The Lord showed me that everyone in prison has been hurt. Whether it was abuse, neglect or rejection. When a person has a lot of pain and anger built up inside it’s going to come out one way or another. And in the case of people in prison it has come out in a not so good way.
When they committed their crime, I believe they were just trying to hurt someone as much as they’ve been hurt. As they say “hurting people, hurt people.” If you’re looking for a way to help them deal with their pain and anger, the book Breaking Free is a great tool you can use.
Trust is another key thing. In prison ministry there’s a fine line you have to walk. A line between protecting yourself and sharing enough about yourself and your life to build trust. Because of what they’ve been through they do not trust easily. And also due to what they’ve been through once they do trust you one small mistake and you will lose their trust as well.
Because of the abuse, neglect and rejection that they’ve been through you are dealing with a lot of mental illness. Do not be surprised if you find out that what they are telling you isn’t actually true. About 99% of them say they are innocent and about 99% of them are not telling you the truth. They may tell you they’ve accepted Christ and have changed, and they may have, but that’s not always the case. My philosophy has always been if they haven’t changed sooner or later they will show you their true colors.
I’m a firm believer God can change anyone. Do not give up on them. I’ve had one inmate tell me he just wanted a friend who would stay around long enough to get to know him and not leave without saying goodbye. It really is a ministry where you put your whole heart into it. But you don’t always know if you’re making an impact or not.