M-A-D Prison Ministry

M-A-D Prison Ministry

 

Always remember we are there as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ--but don’t spend all our time on spiritual matters. Foster a balanced relationship just as we do with our own personal friends. Discuss current events, laugh together, have fun with our friend! Many inmates in jails and prisons have no one to visit them: Their family may live a great distance from where they are incarcerated or do not have the necessary transportation/finances to visit. Their family may have rejected them or they may have no family. Former friends may have rejected them. Personal visits with an inmate is one of the most rewarding areas of jail and prison ministry.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL VISITATION

 

Visiting an inmate on a one-on-one basis is an important ministry for the following reasons: Every soul is valuable to God: “The Lord is not willing that any should perish” (2nd Peter 3:9). Jesus ministered to multitudes, but He always had time for the individual (for an example, see John 4). Many inmates will not attend religious services. Perhaps they have been “turned off” to the church by negative experiences. They may also be afraid going to prison services will be interpreted as weakness by other inmates and make them vulnerable. Many inmates have never experienced true, Godly, unconditional friendship. They have only known abusive or impure relationships. As for most of us--it is easier to open up in a personal setting rather than group setting. We can discuss many issues in a one-on-one visit that we cannot discuss in a group setting. The inmate can share personal needs with us, we can pray and study the Word together, and forge an intimate spiritual bond. We become a bridge back into society for the inmate. They will have friends waiting when they are released from prison. One can’t have too many friends. We will not only be a blessing, but we will be blessed by a true friendship with an inmate.

 

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