Prison Ministry in Alabama
As evangelicals often focus on international missions and “unreached” people groups, a particular population in every state of the union desperately needs hope, comfort, and encouragement toward virtuous living. In other words, they need Jesus. I am referring to the community of the incarcerated.
At this writing, approximately 43,000 people are in prison in Alabama. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Alabama has more inmates per capita than any independent democratic country in the world. To bring it closer to home, 43,000 is approximately 15 times the population of the town where I live. Because all these inmates either pled guilty to a crime or were found guilty after a trial, it is easy to write them off as people who are simply getting what they deserve. As Christians, however, who believe that all human beings are created in the image of God and have intrinsic value, it’s imperative that we show them the love of Jesus and share his life-giving gospel with them. Thankfully, there are a number of ministries in Alabama that are doing just that.
One of the most active forces in prison ministry in Alabama is the Church of the Highlands. Their staff and volunteers are active in 24 different facilities statewide, including Tony Reid, a member of the Church who joins the team once a month for prison ministry. In a typical worship service, a recent sermon by Pastor Chris Hodges will be presented, and volunteers will be on hand to provide support and encouragement, before and after. Tony shares that the role of the volunteers with the prisoners is simply to “love on them”. He reports that during his time serving with the prison ministry, he has seen many inmates come to Faith and many more recommit their lives to serving Jesus. This is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the impact of the Church of the Highlands' ministry.
Ministering to those in prison brings us close to the heart of Jesus. In the Book of Matthew, we read where he declares that serving those in prison is an act of service to him;
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
A related problem is the high percentage of inmates who return to prison within three years of release. The recidivism rate in Alabama is 29%, according to the most recently published research. A quick internet search for prison ministries in Alabama produces a host of organizations that are also addressing this problem. But the need is still great. Not only do the lost within the prison walls need to hear the gospel, but those who are released at some point need someone to come alongside them to help them move forward in a positive direction. Those who accept Christ while in prison desperately need the support of mature Christian brothers and sisters to thrive on the outside, connect with a supportive body of believers, and grow in their new faith.
Perhaps with a new commitment to not only taking the gospel into prisons but also to at-risk youth, we will see more of them coming into the light of Jesus rather than being relegated to the darkness that is found behind prison walls.
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