Why Prison Ministry??
This is a question that I have asked myself more than a few
times. The prison is a very dark place and most of the time it is a difficult exercise
to find hope in the midst of chaos. The men and the women that are incarcerated
for the most part have come to a place in life that they have not only violated
the laws of God, but they have transgressed the laws of man to the extent that
they have offended even the most “open” minded people in our society.
The problem remains that many people that find themselves locked
up aren't broken. As a matter of fact it seems like many times the opposite
occurs and they become even harder. They aren't looking for a solution to their
real problem, but a salve for their pseudo issues. It is rarely their fault
that they are in prison and the blame is usually pinned on some unsuspecting
circumstance, person, or event. Of course this is not always the case, however
this is what is played out most of the time.
To compound the problem many well meaning people within the “system”
(read social engineering professionals) rush to come to their aid and hand
those in the prison desert a cold glass of water. What they need is not a cold
glass of water, but a baptism in the Living Water!
Instead of a confrontation with the reality of their sin
they are met with a temporary reprieve of their situation never leading to real
solutions only guaranteeing their plot of land on the plantation of continued poverty.
As those commissioned with the message of the King of Kings
we bring a confrontational and conflicting message from the one most have heard
all of their life. We as Providing Hope Ministries don’t guarantee temporary
reprieve, false hope, or immediate release! What we do is proclaim and declare
the Gospel
JESUS PAID IT ALL
That is what our mission in the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility is a message of reconciliation and a declaration of redemption through
JESUS CHRIST. More than any program that is what each and every person needs to
hear ,that you cannot do anything but receive the truth of what Jesus Christ
has done for those that the Father loves.
The problem with ministry today is that we want to be sin
managers and not ambassadors. Whether or not you are in a prison or your living
room when it comes to your problem with sin and God’s pure righteousness you
bring nothing to the table.
Each and every day we count it a privilege to minister to
those that have tasted the depth of their depravity and we pray that when they
hear the message of the Gospel- Jesus Paid It All! They along with the sinner
in the story that Jesus told about the Pharisee and the Publican can proclaim
the reality that their redemption is in only one person and his name is Jesus!
With that said
success in prison ministry isn't marked by raise hands and promises, but by the
faithfulness of the messengers to deliver the truth. This is what we have done
in the prison as Providing Hope Ministry since 2004. Our prayer is that we will
be able to continue into 2013 and beyond, however that is at risk as we speak.
We are facing the largest budget shortfall this year that we have ever seen. I am
thankful that we serve a powerful God and that He specializes in the
impossible. We need your help to continue to share the Gospel in the Luzerne
County Correctional Facility. Please prayerfully consider an end of the year
donation to ensure that the 750 inmates each month are confronted with the
truth of their situation and the only Savior Jesus Christ. All Donations can be
mailed to PO Box 2103, Kingston Pa. 18704.
