Prison ministry
The written word is powerful
- It can save a soul
by Gerda Potgieter
The Ministry of Jesus Christ is based on the written word. God transforms the hearts of people through His Word. (Luke 24:44, 46-47)
The greatest invention of all time is the printing press. It was invented around 1440. How fitting that the first work printed on Gutenberg's first press was the Bible! According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, the Gutenberg Bible was the first book produced on a printing press anywhere in the world. The written Word is far more than idle marks on paper. It is not meant simply to be read, but to be lived. Written words are powerful. It has the power to transform the world we live in and it inspires us. Many people believe written words also have magical powers. Be it as it may, it influences how we think and thoughts determine our actions. There is a powerful connection between the words we use and the results we get. From its beginning, the printed word was used as a means to spread the Gospel. Over the years it became clear that the printed Word can have a huge impact in the life of an inmate in prison. Prison populations, across the world and in our country, grow larger and larger by the day. Very often people come out of prison worse than when they went in. Statistics have shown that roughly 80% of inmates return to prison after release. Many commit more crimes, return to prison, and get stuck in the revolving doors of crime, prison and release. Prison ministry provides the opportunities and means for making a difference. Prison ministry helps prepare prisoners for re-entry into society. It helps them to understand that they can still be an important part in society. It could be instrumental to help them turn away from crime by the grace of Jesus Christ. But prison ministry also benefits the volunteer. It does wonders for revitalising their spiritual lives as it offers unique opportunities for personal spiritual growth. It is indeed a joyful experience to lead a person to Christ and see him start his life over in ways productive to society and pleasing to God. Prison ministry forms a big part of the mandate of many churches. However, despite the direct Biblical mandate most believers, unfortunately, do not become involved in prison ministry. It could be that most people shy away from prison ministry because they envision engaging with dangerous people or killers. But in reality it is unlikely that they will ever become involved in either of these, or any similar situation. What is the role of the written Word, especially in its printed form, in the prison environment and can it play a role in saving a soul? I strongly believe that it can. It was reported that inmates often profit from doing Bible studies (sometimes by ways of correspondence) as they have plenty of time to devote to this. While in jail a prisoner will most likely spend more time thinking and reading than he / she normally would have done. A prisoner has an abundance of time and not many constructive ways of using it. These inmates are so bored sometimes that they will read whatever you give them. This provides the ideal opportunity to spread the Gospel and to change the life of others by giving them Christian literature that will enrich their lives and lead them to Jesus Christ. It is clear that Christians have the authority to become involved in prison ministry in its Scriptural essence. However, this does not mean that you literally have to go into a prison. It simply means that believers should be involved in prison ministry in some capacity. The Devoted team is dedicated to make a difference and to support prison ministry. We can also assist other believers to play an important role in prison ministry, to help an inmate function m ?H ??]]?[ H ?][? H ?\??[??\??Y[?[? ?[ ?\\?H [H?? ?KY[? ?H[?? ???Y] K??H ?^H ?H?[????\??X?\?[?? H?????[? H\?[[?H??\?\?? ?\?\? ?[??\?H ]]??Y\?\? ?X?]Y ?Y?[\? H ?[?X]\?[? ?\?? ?? ] ^H?[??X??YHX?]XZ[?Y ?] H? ?\?X[?Y?\? [K???HX?H ?? \? ?H?YY ? ?[?Y][?[??Y\??[\??Y\???H?X?X?[X[?]H?? ?\??Z[?\? ?H\??X\?[???8?&\???
X] ]? ?N??KM
N?[??\?\?[\?[?\??\?^[\H
\?ZXZ
????\?ZXZ
?N?N? H]\? ?NJK?H ?X\?? ? H ?H? ?\??Z[?\? ?H\? ? ?\?H H [???][?[?H??\?\?? ?\?[? ? ?\?[? H???[[? ?X?H ?^H ][?X]\? ?[[X??X?H] ?\???[XY [H ? ?X?Z]?H? ?\?\? Z\??]?[?\????L??