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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….

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.

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net