Prison's Ministry

WHY THE PRISONS MINISTRY
Remember those in prisons as if you were their fellow prisoner.Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)  . . . I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:36)

Most of prisoners released from prison are rearrested within three years. It is true that those who survive prison life and get out on parole are not equipped to meet the realities of life outside of prison because prison life has made them worst than when they came in. When they are released they are a great risk to society. That calls for the Church to share the gospel that transforms lives of people to live a better live.

As Christians, God commands us to reach those in prison with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Read Matthew 25:35-46; Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 14:18). When a man, woman, or youth sincerely accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior there is a total transformation of that person from the inside out.

As a Church believe that Prison ministry is an awesome blessing and responsibility. It takes sincere and serious commitment in order to minister effectively in prison. With those involved in the Prison Ministry must be committed to the ministry of ministering to those in prison or jail and a FIRM commitment to Jesus Christ. If you fail in either area, the inmates will immediately detect it and categorize you as a religious phony.

Major objectives of the Prison Ministry at AGCA:

  1. Minister to the prisoners both spiritually and physically.
  2. House and give assistance when the prisoner is out of prison.
  3. Run seminars/conferences which educate the public of receiving well the people who are released from prison.
  4. Promote and market the prisoners in the community healing the public about the prisoner.
  5. Moral, social activities, income generating, spiritual activities help to reduce crime in the community.
  6. Help government to establish the truth about the prisoner.
  7. Help the community in preventing people to committee crime which will make them go to prison.
  8. Establish relationships with the families of the prisoners.
  9. Help in all area as funds may be available in rehabilitating the prisoner and prisons premises.
  10. House and give assistance when the prisoners are out of prison.
  11. Sharing and inspiring churches, Christian organizations, public to support, love, forgive and help the people in prison.

How we plan to achieve the above objectives

  1. Visiting the prison to share the gospel with a food baskets.
  2. Serving, training, commissioning and preaching.
  3. Counseling about against crime.
  4. Seek Information, researching about the prisoner, families, general public and government in order to serve better.
  5. Preaching on crime and counseling the non criminal and showing public the danger of being in prison.
  6. Advocacy and information exchange with prisoner and their families.
  7. Establish an association of ex- prisoners which will help in empowering them with knowledge, skill, and training and be self sustaining.
  8. Putting up common social events for ex-prisoner and non prisoner, families-institution as to build confidence in the public.
  9. Christian support of the ex-prisoners to the Church.
  10. Networking with Churches, individuals and any other organization with the same interest of helping prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.

For those who are to serve in this ministry ought to have these essential characteristics for prison ministry.
Essential Characteristics for Prison Ministry

  1. LOVE Sincere and unselfish commitment to serve others (Read 1 Corinthian 13:4-8)
  2. EMPATHY The ability to identify with and understand anothers situation and feelings. And genuinely care about an inmate in need (Read Matthew 8:17, & Romans 15:1).
  3. SENSE OF MISSION - The sincere desire to fulfill God's purpose in your life (Read Mark 16:15, Matthew 25:42-45, and James 15:16). You must have a sincere desire to do prison ministry.
  4. SPIRITUAL GROWTH Studying God's Word daily (Read Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 6:11, and Psalm 72:15). Constantly implement God's Word in your life and share His Word with others.
  5. TACT AND WISDOM Jesus Christ never suppressed the truth, but He always spoke truth with love, tact, and wisdom. When Jesus spoke to others, He exercised the greatest tact and He was always kind and thoughtful (Matthew 10:16, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, and Proverbs 9:10).
  6. HUMILITY- Having a humble and meek spirit at all times (Read 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 16:19, 1 Peter 5:5, Psalm 25:9, Matthew 5:5, & Psalm 37:11) In ministering to those incarcerated this is a MUST. Pride and a haughty spirit have no place in prison ministry (Read Proverbs 16:18, Ezekiel 16:50, & Mark 7:22-23).
  7. NON-JUDGMENTAL - Never be condescending or judgmental when ministering to inmates regardless of their past criminal activity. Their past criminal history is not important to you. The most important thing to you is giving inmates Jesus Christ and exhibiting His character. Jesus Christ is their true judge (Read John 5:22, 27; Romans 2:16; & 2 Timothy 4:1).