Please tell us of your experiences with prison ministry.

well, I have done several meetings in WV and OH over the years, singing with Preachers doing the “real work”.... also many years at Youth detention facilities throughout WV.

I have had great experiences. The staff was very helpful all the time. I never felt unsafe, and we were even allowed to do a TENT meeting in the prison yard last year. I got to work and pray with guys as they came for prayer.

why are you asking?

I taught a devotional class in the Federal Prison in Seagoville TX for 9 years, the last 3 years of that time also taught in the Women’s Federal Prison in Ft. Worth.  I have been everything from the Pastor’s Wife to the Janitor, and that was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done!  The guys choose to come to your class.  Most had hit rock bottom, and became a Christian after they were in prison.  Most of them REALLY wanted to learn.  My first Christmas I wanted to have a party, but you can’t bring anything in.  So I said we’d just have a Christmas quiz and sing some carols.  When I got there, the guys had it all set up.  They used sheets for table cloths on two big tables.  Brought their own Christmas cards for decoration.  Purchased cookies and pop (which was a BIG thing for them to do!). And we had a party.  One of my guys got his ministerial credentials from the Nazarene Church while there in prison.  He took correspondence courses and the local pastor gave him his tests.  Several of the guys called me after they had been out a few months to tell me how they were involved in their church, and that they were “going to make it.”

Be sure to be honest with them.  If you don’t know an answer, say you’ll find out and bring it back next week, don’t bluff them. Be sure to follow all the rules—and there are a lot of them!!!  Don’t do anything “behind” the Chaplain’s back.  Enjoy it.  You really do make a difference.

Thank you for your replies…. The reason I am asking is because of replies above.

Here is a little about our weekly Thursday evening prison ministry…....

9 years ago, I was invited to sing at Plainfield State Prison here in the Indianapolis area. As I drove to the prison, I hoped that I would be a blessing to the men there…....WOW,I was absolutely blown away by the service that night and asked if I could be a regular part of this ministry. They really blessed me.

That was 9 years ago and I still enjoy it so very much. The Lord is really blessing the inmates and our staff every week on Thursday nights. When the men come into the chapel, many go immediately down around the altar to pray before the service starts. We usually have around 100 at each service.

We have a very talented inmate band as well as a wonderful sound system, overhead screen projector. Our service is full gospel and we do have church for two hours every Thursday evening of the year except for Christmas and New Years.

We have several local pastors and many singers and singing groups scheduled thru out the year. Once a month we have a “inmate service”. All the music, singing, preachining and testimonies are planned by two or three of the inmates who are chosen by our ministry directer, Bill Mayfield. Bill has been doing this for 36 years. The inmate services usually have the highest attendence.

And YES, that is why I do it…...... God bless you all

Please continue to talk about your experiences with prison ministry. I think many of us would like to hear of when, where and how you felt about it. I know I would!!!

I have recieved a email from someone in a male quartet that sang at our prison ministry and is now in another quartet and wants to return again. They really were blessed by the’re experience.

Please share your experience, Thanks you all. Lets keep this going!!!