WHO HAS A PRISON MINISTRY ?

[berrysaved]

Im just curious to know how many people in here actually goto prisons to preach or teach or just help people in prison out. Also who all has been to prison and can tell us what its like?

[Always_Pray]

Im just curious to know how many people in here actually goto prisons to preach or teach or just help people in prison out. Also who all has been to prison and can tell us what its like?

Prion Ministry? Moderator Mercy - and me.

One of the men I wrote for 12 years is out - and now going to my Church. He's the son of a friend of mine. Another family friend was incarcerated near my home and I visited when I was here - now he's near my sisters and they visit him now. I participate in helping fund supplies for the local overnight shelter for families coming into town to see their loved ones who don't have the money to go to a hotel. We also collect clothes for the shelter. My Church has workers who assist the prison Chaplain with Church and Bible Study inside. My parent's Church budgets and purchases Christian books for inmate libraries. I participate with Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministry http://www.prisonfellowship.org/prison-fellowship-home - and have for years.

There are a variety of types of lockups - and differences in types of security based on offense and the handling and budgets from State to State.

Ask questions - and I'll see about answering you from my experience. I'll PM Mercy to have her pop in and share her experience.

Peace! --De

[mercy]

The prison ministry we do "Christian Pen Pals, is all by correspondence. Some of the pen pals get to visit, just on a personal level. The letters are very effective because the inmates can read them over and over, for encouragement or instruction, or maybe to get a laugh when feeling discouraged. It helps them feel human and of value to have someone care about them. We hear from many inmates from all over the country, every state and even foreign countries, all reaching out for Christian support and friendship. Many have a hunger to know the Lord and turn their lives around, others just want someone to talk to, someone to give them hope. I just had a book published that will open your eyes to life inside, you might want to read it - "Your Cry Has Been Heard" by Beth Michael. It is available at Amazon.com or www.christianbook.com etc.
The web site is www.christian-penpals.com
If you have any questions, let me know. I have not been to prison or jail, but I have heard a lot from others.
God bless,
Beth

[berrysaved]

Well praise the Lord!!!!!! The reason i asked is because i just got out a week ago..LOL! Im very interested in what you 2 might have to say about something. Here it is.....I would like to start an organization that supplies prisons with instruments and other music equipment. I was on a couple of praise teams in prison and we had a very hard time getting new equipment donated. we had mic stands that were held together by string and tape. We needed mic cables ,guitar strings,etc. and nobody wanted to help us out. So i would like to try and fix that by going from church to church and make a website to raise money so i can go and buy good quality equipment that will last and donate it to the prisons who really need it. What do yall think? I could use some advice on how to get started.....Thanks.

[Always_Pray]

First things first - contact your department of prisons for your state and ask them for information on what is allowed and what is disallowed in your state. Some are FAR more strict than others... you have to remember - they look at instruments as potential weaponry sources.

THEN write each of the Wardens of the prisons you would like to start such a program in... and find out what restrictions they have in their particular locations. All instruments would have to be able to be placed in a secure storage location that would not create havoc in the routine of either the guards or inmates.

When you have the logistics secured - and local prison staff contacts established - start contacting instrument retailers and get prices of instruments - also find out if they can place orders from their manufacturers to be shipped direct to the prison. Many prisons do not allow second hand items - or local purchases carried or shipped in by individuals because of smuggling concerns.

Again - start with what's allowed and disallowed before soliciting the instruments.

Sometimes there are so many things DISallowed - that the place to start is with your State legislature - Lobbying for the right to make instruments available in the FIRST place.

I hope that helps.

Peace. --De

[mercy]

I do know that in prison inmates find they have talents they hadn't discovered and it is a positive thing to develope and use these gifts for the Lord. I agree with De, prisons have to be willing, and some are very strict. I think I would start with the chaplain of the local or state prisons nearest you. Maybe if you can get the chaplain to side with/agree with your vision, they might have influence and ideas for the safety.

We hear from inmates who play guitar, so I assume a lot of prisons allow it, they sound like it's something they do in prison, singing and playing at chapel.
Do much praying and seeking God's leading and open doors. God can do more than we might think.

God bless,
mercy

[berrysaved]

Well thanks for the advice,but really what i need to know is how to start a non-profit organization to raise money for it. I already know that in Texas prisons,which is where i will start, that churches and other organizations can donate to the chaplin departments of most prisons here. So thats not a problem. Dont worry we will figure it out but thank you very much for the info...

[Always_Pray]

Ok - in Texas (where I am also from) - start by going to your local County Tax Assessor Collector office and ask about getting a Tax exemption number. Remember to then go to the IRS and ask what they consider taxable and non taxable in yearly materials, donations, and purchases - and get materials so you can make a quarterly tax payment on materials they do NOT consider exempt. Never decide to do it once a year... things will always snag you up when doing that.

Here's a link with some good ideas for that: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/ ... rofit.html

Make sure to keep a SERIOUSLY detailed ledger - and for EVERY donation - give a DETAILED receipt to the benefactor that you have a clear copy of. You will need these records in order to stand up to audits.

All those materials are available at any Office Depot type supply store.

Ministry-based non-profits are under attack these days - so keep meticulous records. Make sure you have the name and address and phone number of each benefactor ON THEIR RECEIPT.

Many Chaplains in the Texas Prison system are so deeply jaded - they won't help. Contact Chuck Colson's Prison Ministry Fellowship to get names of persons in your area who regularly work with the prisons - contact them and enlist their help. Sometimes it's not the Chaplains who will help you - it's the community-Church volunteers who will move mountains for you. Check to see who the Kairos leaders in your area.

God bless your every effort!

Peace. --De

[berrysaved]

Good stuff....Thank you so much Ill keep you posted on how it works out.