Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal through Prison Ministry

John Wesley was active in ministry in prisons from his youth. As a college student, Wesley’s “Holy Club” organized Oxford University students in prison ministry. Throughout his ministry, Wesley was active in reaching out to prisoners and their families. Wesley believed that ministry in prison was one of the few things Jesus explicitly commanded. He believed that there’s not much wrong with any Christian that can’t be cured by regular visits to jails. Alabama has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country and therefore presents our churches with an opportunity for spiritual renewal through ministry to those in jail.

Our Governor Bob Riley recently asked the state's churches to help care for newly released inmates, saying the state lacks the flexibility and funds to help them successfully re-enter society. Leaders from churches and charitable groups were asked to provide a wide range of services to former inmates, including employment assistance, housing, clothing, health care and cash. Riley said the state's churches can rise to the challenge just as they do in response to natural disasters such as hurricanes. I agree with him.

"If we can motivate the faith-based community in the state the way we do during an emergency, then we can make a difference," Riley said. The state releases 11,000 inmates a year and isn't capable of providing the services necessary to help them readjust.

I am proud to say that a number of our churches are already active in this ministry. Churches might pay wage subsidies to businesses that hire former inmates, provide gift certificates to local stores and pay for haircuts and phone cards. They also could mentor former inmates, provide day care for their children and help them write resumes. The former inmates might find jobs at businesses owned by church members.

Our own Conference Director of Communication Danette Clifton is active in the Kairos Prison Ministry. If your church now has a prison ministry, or would like to start such a ministry, please contact Danette at dclifton@northalabamaumc.org or (205) 226-7973. I’m asking Danette to compile a list of our churches that intend to work in this area. There will be a regional meeting for the Community Partnership for Recovery and Reentry in Birmingham on July 8 at Samford University where more information will be given on Gov. Riley’s plans. For more information about a meeting in your region visit http://www.alabamacprnetwork.com .

If your congregation already has a prison ministry like Kairos, get active in it. If your church does not, your congregation is missing out on a grand opportunity to experience the risen Christ (who was himself, a prisoner) in a vivid new way by working with those in jail and those recently released.

Will Willimon