Incarceration disrupts the lives of not only the 2.3 million Americans behind bars, but their families and communities as well. That's a lot of pain and need. How can Christians help?
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| Najee, 9, puts a CD into his PlayStation 2, picks up a book and climbs onto his bunk bed. He reads along silently, listening to a voice he doesn't often hear. "Hi Najee, it's your dad," the voice says. "Today I'm going to read you a book called God's Story." Read "Turning the page" to learn more about the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Storybook Project. |
What can you or your congregation do in your synod?
You might:
• Join or visit a local prison worship service.
• Find out if your synod has a prison congregation.
• Form a re-entry team.
• Talk to your synod's mission director and say you want to form a prison congregation.
• Acknowledge your limits and prejudices.
• Remember that the first gift you bring to any ministry is Jesus Christ (not shared experiences). The strongest thing we can offer someone in prison is a witness to the power of Jesus Christ.
• Prison ministry is first and foremost for people who have never been to prison. It is a listening ministry. You will learn to listen to the incarcerated person tell the story of his or her life and ask questions.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
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