Why Prison ministries?

John Crawford who is the current head of the ministry says this: “Romans 3:23 says ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ I believe it is our job to share the gospel with everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.”

Every week on Friday afternoon, from 1-3 pm, John or Cliff Ward from Indianapolis, offers a Bible study to anyone interested, at the Pendleton Correctional facility. Every Saturday night from 7-9 pm, 1 or 2 of the 9 volunteers from our church go to the prison, where we cover the Sabbath school lesson, as well as offer prayer and counsel to anyone in need. John says that there are usually 8-12 inmates in attendance. As a result of this ministry there were 4 in prison who joined the church in 2016!

To participate in this ministry a volunteer must attend a class before being allowed to minister in the prison so it definitely takes commitment, but John says that we only need to look in Matthew 25 to see that it is simply what we are called to do.

‘I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Matthew 25:36 NKJV

‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40 NKJV