He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. Psalm 146:7-9

As a Christian, a convicted felon, a son, a husband and a father – I worry about the limited awareness and understanding many Churches have regarding the crucial ministry of serving the currently and formerly incarcerated.  It is not a conscious decision by leadership within the Church or its members.  Most Christians who understand the issues involving incarceration want to follow the Biblical calling and help. 

Awareness is lacking within the Body of Christ about the detrimental effects of incarceration and the struggles those coming out of prison face. Our biblical calling to prison ministry is clear and repeated throughout the Old and New Testament. We are not called to ignore the issue; we are not called to ignore the incarcerated or the families affected by it. The stigma of incarceration makes it a more difficult mission’s field to understand. Equally important, many pastors do not realize the direct effect it has on their congregation and their surrounding neighborhood.

This is not about “ending prisons” or “not punishing people who break the law.”  I will not address “over sentencing” or wrongful convictions.  I believe that once someone has served their time they then deserve a true second chance at life.  If that person is a follower of Christ we are specifically called to help our brothers and sisters.  It is not fair or acceptable for people to be released from prison only to enter a new prison, where the stigma of incarceration gives them no real chance of long term success and where the Church is unwilling, unable or not trained to help or accept them.  The Church, as the Body of Christ, must not only preach forgiveness but actively demonstrate it. 

• Get a Job then, this is America! Sounds easy enough but it is hard if no one will hire you.  The unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated is more than 28%.
• Your family will help! What if they were the root cause of what got you incarcerated? If your loved ones contributed to your issues that got you arrested, the smart choice is to stay away.  It is not a viable option for many. 
• Live with your family! What if the landlord says, “no felons allowed!” A majority of landlords will not rent to felons and will not allow them to live with their family members currently renting from them.  With no money and no job, where do they live?
• Any Church will happily help you! Is it actually something you believe? Many Churches want to help when they realize the issue; most Churches have little idea of how to address the issue that surrounds them in every city and neighborhood.  It is the responsibility of the people leaving prison to do everything they can while incarcerated to prepare for release and reintegration back into society – it is the responsibility of the Body of Christ to do everything it can to learn how to help those in need. We are called to this throughout the Bible!

Almost every pastor I meet with has at least one member of their congregation dealing with incarceration, directly or indirectly.  I have also found that once a Church starts talking about incarceration, they quickly learn they have several members affected by it.  Several family members that I have been in touch are too ashamedto bring up their loved ones' incarceration within the Church and are forced to deal with the issue alone.  I met with two families where it was widely known their son was arrested/currently in prison but not a single member of the Church including the pastor brought it up with them - one of those families left the Church entirely.  

That leads to a good question – As a member of society/Church knowing your child was arrested or incarcerated – How do I bring that up with you? Is it okay to ask or will it embarrass you? Will it make you uncomfortable? Is it something you do not want to discuss?  It is a touchy subject to discuss and there is seldom a natural transition. It will be awkward.   My advice is to bring it up with anyone you have a relationship with, to the point that you have had conversations deeper than “hi” and “bye.”  Be simple and direct and say something like “I heard about ‘John’ and have been praying for him and your family.  Is there anything I can do?  If you ever want to talk about it or vent, or just need time away from it all, call me anytime.”  Without knowing their specific response, this lets them know you care, that you are willing to help and that you are there for them to discuss the situation or simply to just hang out.  Addressing the issue takes the walls down. It may take months for them to open up or they may choose to never open up.  

Either way, as a brother or sister in Christ, you let them know you love them, care about them and are there for them. 

Biblically we are called to prison ministry.  Several verses specifically mention the need for the Church to open its arms to the incarcerated and recently released.   We are summoned to mirror the incredible love and compassion of Christ.  Jesus connects the concepts of mercy and solidarity with those in dire circumstances, “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… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  (Matthew 25:34-40) As the Body of Christ we are called to help the hopeless, serve those in need, look after those in prison.  

Jesus makes it crystal clear that it is our duty not just to provide tangible aid, but to extend a welcoming hand to those who have experienced the hopelessness of prison. It is an invitation to embrace the marginalized, recognize the genuine value of each individual and in doing so demonstrate the teachings and love of Christ in practical, transformative ways.  

The formerly incarcerated live in and around your neighborhood; their children go to school with your children and they shop at the same grocery store as you.  They are your neighbors.  “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)   We are called to love our neighbors. Christians should happily follow those words from Christ.  1 out of 4 Americans has a criminal record – this directly impacts your neighborhood and the neighborhood around your Church.  If you do not believe it – just ask!

To fully comprehend the gravity of the Biblical instruction, it is imperative to acknowledge the broader Biblical context that underscores our obligation towards the incarcerated. Throughout the Scriptures, from the Old Testament to the New, there is a recurrent theme of God's redemptive love for the oppressed and those who have strayed from following Him. Psalm 146:7-9 declares, "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous."

The Church is not merely encouraged to engage with prisoners but commissioned to do so.  Isaiah 61:1-4 reiterates the need for us to set the captives free. By extending God's grace to those behind bars, the Church becomes a vessel of hope, embodying the power of redemption and forgiveness. In doing so, it directly addresses the societal difficulties of incarceration and contributes to the collective well-being by fostering a spirit of restoration over retribution. Brand 316 trains our members in Christ, and restores them through practical life-skill training with a focus on long term realistic success. 

Successful reintegration into society cannot simply mean “not being rearrested” – it has to result in them becoming productive members of our society and our Churches. 

All things are possible in Christ.  Felons are children of God and deserve a second chance.  We have all sinned and fallen short.  The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) exemplifies the Father's unwavering love and acceptance for a disobedient child. This is a powerful reminder that God's grace knows no bounds and the Church should adopt this unconditional lovein its outreach to the formerly incarcerated.  The Apostle Paul provides an excellent model of transformation through Christ. Paul, formerly known as Saul, actively persecuted Christians before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. His life underwent a radical transformation, showcasing the redemptive power of God's grace and exactly how we serve a God of Second Chances! This is a testament to the potential for change and renewal even in the lives of those who have been incarcerated.

One key aspect of embracing the formerly incarcerated within the Church is to dismantle the stigma that often accompanies a criminal record. James 2:1-4 warns against partiality and judgment, urging believers to treat all individuals with impartiality and without discrimination based on their past. "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here’s a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Within the Christian community, no one should be treated as a second-class citizen. The Church should replace societal prejudices with an attitude of inclusion, mirroring the love and acceptance embodied by Christ our Savior.  

Incarceration has increased the US poverty rate by 20%.  A child with a father incarcerated is 6 times more likely to become incarceratedthemselves.  Over 600,000 people are released from prisons in the United States every single year – and 408,000 of them will be back in prison within 3 years(68%)!It is a problem that can be solved – it is not an inevitable conclusion.  

There is an enormous need for the Body of Christ to focus on this fixable issue.  People do not exit prison hoping to return.  The issue of recidivism can be solved – we know the root causes and issues.  There are practical solutions such as training and preparing inmates for release, ensuring they get a true second chance and training them after release for reentry.  

However, the key to success is and always will be Jesus Christ.  The most important part is that they develop and maintain a relationship with Christ, depend on Christ and have a Christian support network helping them walk with Christ. We all need that!  Prison is mentioned 84 times throughout the Bible– it was a common issue then and it is a common issue today. There are currently more than  2.2 million incarcerated in the United States. 

Where does your Church come into this? 

The perceptions and stigma of felons is the most difficult boundary to overcome within the Church and society.  The immediate assumption is that all criminals are violent, will steal from you, are not trustworthy and any contact with them is setting yourself up for problems in the future.  The idea that “once a criminal, always a criminal”is the common way many look at the situation.  The concept of a second chance does not exist. You will be shocked at how badly people want a second chance, how badly they want to thrive, to live for Christ and to be forgiven.  

Keep in mind, most are on terms of which means that breaking any law results in punishment including more prison time – which no one wants.  Consideration for safety and trust concerns should be discussed and implemented but with sensitivity to all involved parties. It is wise to exercise caution, it is equally important to recognize the potential for transformation and personal growth. If Churches act like they are doing the formerly incarcerated a favor by allowing them to worship with them – that is the opposite of everything Jesus taught. We should beg people to come to our Church and worship our God – this is about Him, not us!   Viewing individuals with a criminal history as capable of change, growth and having positive contributions to society aligns with the values of empathy and understanding that should characterize a Christian community.

Two examples of the Church being involved in prison ministry:  A large portion of the prison population are in for drug related crimes – many Churches have programs like Celebrate Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous and realize the immediate positive impact of those ministries.  Ironically, a large portion of those attending those groups are felons and have records – but the Church is comfortable with them solely because of the label.  Apologies for ruining that for you!  Homeless outreach is the second example. Large portions of the homeless population are felons – the label of homeless for whatever reason feels like a safer or more worthwhile ministry.  The facts are that when people are released from prison and no one will hire them nor rent to them – they end up being homeless.  In Kansas, 23% of the inmate population is released into homelessness. Prison ministry lets you help the homeless before they become homeless! 

In practical terms, there are several steps your Church can take immediately to start contemplating actionable measures. The initial step is already accomplished – having read this; you now grasp the urgency and know the need! The following step is the most powerful - pray over it as leadership in your Church and figure out the best way to share this ministry need with your congregation.  You will be surprised by a) the amount of people interested in this type of ministry once they find out about it b) the amount of families within your congregation currently dealing with incarceration at some level that you had no idea about.  1 out of every 4 Americans has a criminal record – your Church is not immune to that. 

Like any new ministry venture, it is important for you to take small manageable steps initially and gradually grow the outreach over time.  After you have taken the first two steps, the next logical step is to get someone that understands prison ministry to spend time with your congregation.  We have found that the most effective way to accomplish this goal is through your men’s or women’s group (Bible study, etc) – they tend to be the most interested in this ministry and are not “Sunday only” attendees.  Of course, you know your congregation the best - some Pastors have felt passionate enough about it to devote a Sunday service to it.  It is not by chance that Christ was crucified between two criminals and the one who realized His authority was told “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   It is not coincidental; it underscores the path we are called to follow — extending compassion and forgiveness, mirroring the example set by Christ!

Brand 316 can spend 30-45 minutes with your members and discuss the need for prison ministry, the biblical calling, personal testimonies explaining the difficulties with reintegration and specific small steps to get involved with the ministry immediately or months from now.  

Picture a small group of just 10 members in your Church dedicating a mere 30 minutes per week to pray for inmates, focusing on their specific prayer requests.  Consider a few men within your congregation willing to invest one hour a week for six weeks, mentoring an individual recently released from prison — being a steadfast friend in a time of need and offering Christ-centered, practical advice to someone readjusting to the outside world after years of incarceration. It's important to recognize that these seemingly small steps yield significant results in the lives of many.  The mere concept of people caring about them boosts their confidence in themselves, in Christ and their hope for sustained success. 

A fantastic example:  We launched a Christmas card and Prayer program which allowed any Christian to easily make a small difference in the life of an inmate.  Volunteers committed to send a Christmas card to an inmate and pray for their 3 specific prayer requests for 7 days.  The response was incredible.  Inmates were blessed and the volunteers are now asking how to get further involved in prison ministry.  60% of the volunteers were men – which shocked me because we typically are not known for sitting down and writing heartfelt Christmas messages!   People want to get involved when they learn about the ministry – as ambassadors of Christ it is our job to spread the Word, help the hopeless and set the captives free!

I urge you, your staff and your congregation to pray about prison ministry and to have an open heart to it.  There are several small ways to get involved and introduce your congregation to ministering to the currently and formerly incarcerated.  This ranges from a simple commitment to lift specific inmates up in prayer on a weekly basis, to members becoming mentors, to business owners being willing to hire the formerly incarcerated, to your Church welcoming them with arms wide open.  There are several opportunities that we can explore for your Church – but the first step is awareness.  

This is much more than cutting a check to a local ministry so they can handle the problem.  I am prayerfully optimistic that you will hear the call and take action – it is needed in every neighborhood throughout our country, including yours.  

Thank you and God Bless.   David Phillips

Please contact David Phillips with Brand 316 to learn more about how you can become involved in prison ministry.  I would love to come to share with your small groups, meet with your missions committee, share with your entire congregation or meet with you to brainstorm.  God Bless and please prayerfully consider steps your Church can take in helping the least of these!