When you enter a correctional facility, the inmates usually always look forward to your visit. There is something rewarding when you are in worship in a prison. It
brings life and joy to hear 30 inmates singing at the top of their lungs to some of the greatest songs of the church. For all who love to lead in worship, prison ministry you will have the opportunity to minister through the gift of music.If you are learning to preach, desiring to be a Chaplin or a Pastor, or if you simply have a desire to preach the bible, prison ministry is a great training ground for learning to depend on Jesus’ leading in preaching and sharing.
Prison ministry also gives you the opportunity to share your testimonies with prisoners, so that everyone in jail will be encouraged by your story. If you have been in prison or if you have never been behind bars before, sharing your story will encourage fellowship among the inmates, and give an opportunity for outreach to others.
Prayer and biblical advice is an important aspect of prison ministry. Men and women in jail need the Church to play its role to reach out and comfort, exhort, confront, and lift up.
Prison ministry is one of the best seminaries for many inmates. It allows them to spend their time in the bible, in prayer and in worship.Eventually, the prisoners you are ministering to will return to society. As a prison minister you are playing a vital role in bringing reconciliation not only between inmates and Jesus, but when the inmate returns to society, he will be trained to go out and expand God’s kingdom, through your prayers, preaching, sharing, and tears.
There are many opportunities for prison ministry in the United States. You could start in youth corrections ministry through Teen Challenge, or you could volunteer for full state or federal prison ministries through Prison Ministry of America (PMA), Prison Fellowship with Chuck (Charles) Colson, or Kairos Prison Ministry.
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