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JAIL CHAPLAINCY
The Need ... The jail population in Florida increases drastically each year, creating an urgent need for ministry during the process of incarceration and release.
The Target ... Chaplain volunteers minister to prisoners experiencing grief; shame; fear; abandonment; loneliness; and loss of identity, privacy and freedom.
The Process......The steps for a church establishing a jail ministry:
1. Pray for God’s leadership.
2. Contact the proper authorities to determine specific needs and requirements at the institution.
3. Affirm the church’s support of this ministry.
4. Commit persons and other resources.
5. Train volunteers for the ministry and apply for state convention certification.
6. Be trained by the target institution.
7. Increased goodwill with the community, which boosts the company image.
The Ministry… Jail ministry may include:
MINISTRY OF PRESENCE
Chaplain volunteers represent God’s presence in a hostile environment and provide comfort and strength
COUNSELING/REFERRAL
Chaplain volunteers provide a listening ear, a caring heart and a shoulder on which to cry. They express their understanding and acceptance of peoples’ feelings. They refer individuals to available helping agencies to meet specific needs.
LITERATURE DISTRIBUTION
The chaplain volunteers provide Bibles, devotional materials, tracts, Bible study materials and magazines to the institution for distribution.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The chaplain volunteers lead formal and informal worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings. They coordinate all services with the institution.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Prayer focuses our attention on God and His power in the midst of our present situation. Chaplain volunteers constantly remain sensitive to the cries for help and respond immediately by praying with those in need.
FAMILY MINISTRY
Family members of prisoners experience crisis due to separation, fear, embarrassment, and economic hardship. Chaplain volunteers are sensitive to these needs and seek to provide resources to meet their needs.
AFTER CARE MINISTRY
Chaplain volunteers encourage their churches to remain active in the lives of prisoners and their families after their release.
The Reason…God’s Word states in Matthew 25:36b (KJV), ”I was in prison and you came unto me.” God commissions us to visit the prisoners and minister to their needs.