Reaching people like Jesus did, at their point of need....
by Jennifer Green
LGF Prison Ministry Facilatator
Email Jennifer

Scripture mandate for Prison Ministry
Jesus himself is our example for prison ministry. One of the main targets of Christ's ministry was prisoners. "I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will guard and support you, for I have given you to my people as the personal confirmation of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide all nations to me.  You will open the eyes of the blind and free the captives from prison. You will release those who sit in dark dungeons. Isaiah 42:6-7 NLT

Jesus declared:  The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 42:7 NLT

One of the first to be set free by Christ death  in the New Testament was a prisoner.  The thief on the cross. "We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."  And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23-41:43 NLT 

The greatest scriptural mandate for prison ministry is given in Matthew 25:31-40
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'" Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:31-40 NLT

Goals of LGF Prison Ministry

• To present the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  
• To lead them to experience the life changing power of God that will set them free from guilt, shame, negative emotions, and addictions
  
• To disciple new believers in the Word and teach them how to study the bible
  
• To demonstrate the power of prayer and to teach them how to pray
  
• Provide a spiritually safe and non-judgmental atmosphere for them to  worship Jesus
  
• For every inmate, 3 to 5 other lives are affected. Many are children. We can assist inmates' families in practical ways like
  participating in Angel Tree, and providing emotional, spiritual and prayer support
  
• Provide post-prison assistance in practical ways like short term housing
  
• Provide Biblical counseling to help them re-enter into society
  
• Provide referrals to other local Christ based ministries

How can you be involved?

• Provide prayer support for this ministry
  
• Write to an inmate
  
• Help conduct worship services, and Bible studies in the prisons
  
• Provide Bibles and Christian literature
  
• Donate items to fill LGF tote bags
  
• When inmates are released you can:
  Provide prayer support for them when they start attending LGF
  Help with transportation to LGF
  
• Provide a Church home for them and their families by making Loving God Fellowship a welcoming, loving, supportive and accepting home church.
  
• Simply be an encouraging and supportive friend
  
• Never inquire why they were in prison
  
• Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies. Hebrews 13:3 NLT

Discuss Prison Ministry Online on the LGF Christian Forums