Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship partners with local churches across the country to minister to a group that society often scorns and neglects: prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. God, unlike the world, has always chosen to identify closest with those who are isolated and broken. ?For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me . . . I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me? (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).
Prison Fellowship reaches out to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families both as an act of service to Jesus Christ and as a contribution to restoring peace to our cities and communities endangered by crime. For the best way to transform our communities is to transform the people within those communities?and truly restorative change comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prison Fellowship was founded by Chuck Colson, who served as special counsel to President Nixon and went to prison in 1975 for Watergate-related crimes. When Colson got out of prison, God radically redirected this former attorney?s career goals?leading him to go back to prison, this time to minister to the men and women behind bars. Established in 1976, Prison Fellowship has grown into the largest prison ministry in the world, partnering with thousands of churches and tens of thousands of volunteers.
Prison Fellowship?s logo is representative of Isaiah 42:3: ?A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.? The symbol reminds us that while society may cast aside those people it deems useless and unworthy, God continues to pursue them with His steadfast love, offering forgiveness and restoration.
The focus of our ministry includes fellowshipping with Jesus (including teaching others to live and look at life from a biblical perspective), visiting prisoners, and welcoming the children of prisoners.
To seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, family, and community through the power and truth of Jesus Christ.
We believe in one God, Creator and Lord of the Universe, the Co-eternal Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ, God?s Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven where, as truly God and truly man, He is the only mediator between God and man.
We believe the Bible is God?s authoritative and inspired Word. It is without error in all its teachings, including creation, history, its own origins, and salvation. Christians must submit to its divine authority, both individually and corporately, in all matters of belief and conduct, which is demonstrated by true righteous living.
We believe that all people are lost sinners and cannot see the Kingdom of God except through the new birth. Justification is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
We believe in one holy, universal, and apostolic Church. Its calling is to worship God and to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel among all nations and demonstrating its commitment by compassionate service to the needs of human beings and by promoting righteousness and justice.
We believe in the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual?s new birth and growth to maturity and for the Church?s constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission.
We believe that Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return in glory to raise the dead and bring salvation and judgment to completion. God will fully manifest His Kingdom when He establishes a new heaven and new earth, in which He will be glorified forever and exclude all evil, suffering and death.
