What is Prison Ministry?

Using God’s Word and the time, talents, and treasures He has given us, we endeavor to minister to those incarcerated and/or affected by their incarceration.

For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. Psalm 69:33

Prison Ministry in CID some ways forms a kaleidoscope. Out of its regular budgeted funds, the District gives money as a “thank-you” to the congregations served by Pastor David Dunlop for their “lending” him to Prison Ministry for part of one day a week. The congregation served by another, Pastor Pablo Dominguez, is given a similar appreciative gift from Dollar for Missions funds. In fact, Dollar for Missions funds are available to support similar new prison ministries by other pastors and congregations.

This is far from the end of the story, though. Another CID pastor, Rev. Paul Weber, serves as a chaplain in an Illinois state prison as well as part-time pastor of one of our congregations. What’s more, a number of pastors and laypeople do their respective parts for prison ministry, large and small, as volunteers. Prison Ministry Coordinator Rev. Rodney Blomquist served in this capacity for years while a parish pastor, and he continues to do so in retirement.

(There are so many efforts being made, it is hard to keep track of them all. Please inform Pastor Blomquist [see below] if you or someone you know is making such efforts in a county jail or state or federal prison. He is assembling a master list.)

Through all of this, there is one underlying theme: outreach with the saving Gospel of Christ to incarcerated people. For Jesus brings the ultimate freedom to everyone: freedom from sin, death, and the devil, freedom to be His own and live as His baptized people now and forever. Those in prison need these blessings as much as anyone. So there is Prison Ministry in CID.

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Reimbursements for Prison Ministry Materials

Consider donating printed Gospel-centered materials to a nearby state or federal prison or county jail. Thanks to central Illinois LWML, you or your CID congregation can make such a donation and receive at least partial reimbursement from the District.

This is important work. The materials you donate can get into a facility even if something like a COVID spike occurs and keeps chaplains from getting in. Here is an opportunity for you to participate in prison ministry, even if you yourself never personally visit an inmate.

Voucher, Guidelines, and List of Approved Materials

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VIDEO – Prison MinisTRY: Will You Try?

In this video, CID Prison Ministry Coordinator Rev. Rodney Blomquist interviews veteran CID Prison Chaplain Rev. Charles Olander. Pastor Olander describes his route to prison ministry and his observations on its ongoing importance. He offers several suggestions for pastors and others who want to get involved in bringing God’s Word to the incarcerated.

View this video, and tell others about it! You can watch it by clicking here.

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Here are some general points on prison and jail ministry.

Visiting a Person who is Incarcerated

• Go online to the facility’s website
  Read and become acquainted with its guideline for visitors
• In the Illinois Correctional system, (IDOC), an offender is allowed only so many visits a month. You will need to be put on the offender’s visit list. See a facility’s guidelines to find out how this is done.
• In the local and county jails, you can still go online for their guidelines. Call ahead of time to check when you can schedule your visit. In most cases, you will have a private room in which to talk. Check with the facilities guidelines about bringing in materials. All materials must be cleared by the facility.

Informing Your Pastor

• When a loved one is incarcerated, let your pastor know. He will keep the matter confidential and will not share any information unless he is first given permission. Pastors can make visits and/or write letters.

To Begin a Ministry

• Go online and view a facility’s website. Note especially the volunteer guidelines.
• Have an idea of what you would like to do.
• E-mail or telephone the facility to talk with someone in charge of volunteer services.

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Assimilating or Welcoming the Formerly Incarcerated Back into the Congregation

Get to know such ex-offenders.

• They may have been visited by you during their incarceration.
• They may have been and may still be members of the congregation.
• They have have already visited your congregation and introduced themselves.
• If you are a volunteer in one of the Illinois Department of Corrections facilities, report the contact to your chaplain. You are allowed to have contact, but the DOC is better off hearing of this contact from you, rather than from other sources.

Arrange to have a face-to-face meeting with them to get to know them and their story.

Follow up by speaking to their parole officer, where possible, concerning any the terms of the ex-offender’s parole about which you need to know.

If the victim and/or their family is attending the same church, talk with them about the ex-offender’s presence in the congregation.

Meet with the elders to keep them informed.

Keep in mind, the ex-offenders:

• have paid their debt to society.
• may have already truly repented and have been forgiven by God through Christ.
• may be included with Saint Paul in having received God’s grace and a change of heart.
• may be received back as a brother or sister in Christ according to Matthew 18.

Be as wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove when dealing with ex-offenders.

• While we want them to gather with everyone else in worship of our gracious God, there is the possibility that they may repeat their offense. Protecting the congregation stands out as important. You may have to determine boundaries for ex-offenders.
• Not everyone in the congregation may be willing to accept them readily into the fold. This is matter of wisdom and being patient with members working through the process. Their past experiences may be triggered. They may fear possible danger. The ex-offender needs to understand this too, and also be patient.

Note: How you might deal with a registered sex offender, particularly a child sex offender, will depend in part on whether you have a school, preschool, daycare, Sunday School and/or after- school programs. In some cases, a chaperon will need to be assigned while an ex-offender is present for worship. The chaperon will met them at their car in the parking lot, sit with them through the service and escort them back to car immediately after the service. This protects both the congregation and the ex-offender. Or ex-offenders may be put on your “shut-in” list for home visits only. You may have to help them find another congregation willing to serve them.

Determine what aid and assistance to be involved in.

• Shelter, clothing and job finding as among the top needs for ex-offenders.
• Your local social services may be the place to start.

Informing the congregation as a whole: This is a matter of conscience and wisdom.

• In many cases, it will not be necessary to inform the congregation.
• Perhaps you will let ex-offenders tell their own story and how God has worked in their lives.
• In many situations, however, confidentiality may apply. This allows the person to enter the community as a changed person.

Resources:

• Rev. Afam Afamefuna
  Chaplain CRC
  Office (414) 427-4734
  Cell (414) 339-7780
• Free at Last Ministry/House of Correction @ Mission of Christ Lutheran Church
  912 West Center Street
  PO Box 0649
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53206
  (414) 264-4050
  freeatlastmilwaukee.org
  Director: Patrick Batom

The above-listed ministries work to assimilate men and women back into society. They could be good resources if a congregation wants to begin a ministry like this in its community.

The LCMS Bible Study “Freed in Christ” (available on Synod website; see below) is a good study to do with Elders. It can also be done with ex-offenders and possibly a couple of members interested in assisting with assimilating them into the community of the Church. This study can be downloaded online. Just type in “LCMS Freed in Christ.”

Or have a conversation with CID Prison Ministry Coordinator Rev. EM Rodney Blomquist, 217-825-6160 or Email prisonministy@cidlcms.org

Do all things in prayer to the Father in heaven through Jesus Christ.