Prison
Ministry ...by Lewis and Helen Burkholder
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them.”
Hebrews 13:3a
“I was in prison and you came to me.” Matthew 25: 36c
These
are just a couple of the many scriptures that nudge some of us to reach out to
prisoners.
We
have been involved in prison ministries for over 38 years.
Over those years our ministry has taken many forms, such as personal
visits, letter writing, an ex-prisoner living with us for a time, in-prison
Bible studies, grading main-in Bible studies (Helen), keeping contact with
ex-prisoners, ministering to prisoners who have had a close relative die,
financially supporting some prisoners who were taking correspondence Bible
college courses, and now most of our efforts are devoted toward teaching
in-prison seminars.
Over
the years it has gradually become more difficult to get into the prisons.
We have found that by teaming up with Prison Fellowship, a ministry
started by Chuck Colson, we are able to reach into prisons that would otherwise
be closed to us.
For
the past 15 years we have been teaching Prison Fellowship seminars.
Prison Fellowship gives us an outline and we have to fill it in.
We do not have to compromise any of our beliefs.
We are given freedom in that area.
Most
seminars are set up for five sessions; Friday evening, Saturday morning,
afternoon and evening, and Sunday morning. However,
sometimes the designated time set by the Chaplain or the Warden is less than
five sessions, so we have to squeeze it into the allotted time.
In
each session we have a time of instruction, a skit, and a small group session.
We try to include a lot of Scripture.
Some
of the seminars we have taught are:
· “Knowing
God I” which looks at God through
Old and New Testament scriptures
· “Knowing
God II” which looks at God as we see Jesus
· “Christian
Basics I & II” teaches growing
in Christ
· “Surviving
and Thriving” deals with growing as Christians in a prison setting
· “Free
At Last” deals with addictions
· “Preparation
for Marriage” (have taught in both women’s and men’s prisons)
· “Winning
With Christ”
Most
of these we have taught a number of times.
When
we were younger, we talked about our desire that when we became older and
retired, we would like to give some time in voluntary service.
We are now older, and we realize that we have been involved in “VS”
without leaving home. We thank God
that we can serve Him in this way.
Frank Vaughn is
ministering at Powhatan Correctional Center….
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The
Powhatan Correctional Medical unit houses about 40 inmates in varying
stages of cancer, kidney failure, various major surgeries for back and
neck problems, as well as heart conditions.
There men are not only in prison, they are in bad health.
Some will not live to be released when their sentence is served.
They need hope, encouragement and prayers.
I’ve been approved by the VA DOC (Virginia Department of
Corrections) to be a volunteer at this prison. |
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Since
my first experience with Bill Glass in the summer of ‘05 I haven’t been able
to get these guys’ faces out of my mind.
Now I know why.
God’s presence has been there every time I have an opportunity to visit
them. From October of ‘06, I have been going every Saturday to the medical
unit for Bible studies and prayer, and on the first Sunday morning of each month
to help with the worship service in the general population which houses
approximately 1200 inmates.
I have experienced as much, or more, of a blessing as the inmates.
They are always thankful and appreciative that anyone takes time to come
see them.
I encourage everyone who reads this to get out of your comfort zone and
see what God can do, in prison or otherwise.
Debbie and I are also ministering at Elk Hill, a home for troubled young boys ages 11-18 in Goochland County.