Fellowship in Prison Ministry

Of the many aspects of prison ministry, fellowship with brothers in Christ is at the top of the list. Fellowship is a type of spiritual bonding that happens when you spend time with another believer and your conversation revolves around Christ. This bonding happens at different times, but plays a vital role in spiritual growth for those going into prisons, or even those who have never set foot behind bars.

Regular meetings is the first place fellowship happens. In Prison Ministry of America as well as other prison ministries, regular weekly attendance to a worship and training meeting is not only essential, but required to move into prison ministry. Before and after service, there is ample opportunity to meet and fellowship with brothers who share a similar passion for Jesus. Often times, after the worship meeting, dozens of people spend up to an hour talking about experiences of the past week, and what God has done in their lives. This gives an opportunity to encourage, rebuke, and correct one another in Christ.

Once a person is established as a regular attendee, they are offered an application form to go into prisons. In doing this, the person is going under the name of the sponsor organization, and is representing the organization. Following the rules in these situations is essential.

Upon approval, the person joins in on a day trip or a weekend trip to a particular prison to minister to inmates. Many prisons are up to 200 miles away and during that time the team members have a great opportunity to get to know each other, share testimonies, and pray for the time of ministry. Stories are shared, struggles are revealed, and ministry partners are uplifted during these times.

When you sit behind someone in a service, looking over their head at a preacher, that person could have a wife with cancer, he could be training to be a pastor, he could be an ex-con who has served time for drugs, theft or even murder. Through fellowship, testimonies of passionate men and women can do nothing but stir up faith and grow a person spiritually.

Pastors, missionaries, and strong men of God are only made that way by being sharpened by the sword of fellowship. Challenged, encouraged, rebuked, and exhorted, they blaze a trail of loving others into Christ's Kingdom, all for the Glory of Christ.

Finally, fellowship given to inmates behind bars not only gives them encouragement and hope, but gives them a desire so that when they get out of prison, they will continue in their spiritual walk with Jesus. Fellowship plays a vital role in the life a Christian.