Prison Outreach Ministry Mission Statement

Hebrews 13:3: ‘Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself.  Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” (NLT)

The purpose of the Prison Outreach Ministry is to bring the light of Jesus Christ behind prison walls by positively impacting the underserved community of incarcerated men and women. Many people are not aware, but there are many opportunities within this ministry to actively get involved helping men and women behind bars or be a support system for their families. The Temple Of Restoration Prison Outreach partners with other organizations that have paved the way for churches to volunteer in areas to crack the infrastructure holding men and women in physical and spiritual bondage. Our list extends from CAMBA’s respite bed program that helps men/women transition from prison or homelessness. They stay in a program from 6 months to a year while CAMBA helps find permanent housing and adequate employment to sustain them. Prison Outreach cooks meals and host the men in the program overnight.  Without the help of volunteers, these men and women who are trying to get readjusted to society wouldn’t have a place to stay or a hot meal. Also, during the Christmas holidays, we partner with The Angel Tree Network and support over 50 families with children whose parents are incarcerated.

In addition, several members of the team are facilitators/teachers in the Riker’s Island prison facility. This gives those who like to teach an opportunity to share the word of God while facilitating classes based on the specific needs of the men in the program. For example, we’ve taught professional development classes that prepare men for jobs upon their release and facilitated classes on what it means to be a man from a biblical perspective. There are many classes to fit the interest and schedule of anyone who wants to get involved and teach behind the prison walls. Those who don’t want to teach can visit one of our clients that are requesting visitors. Many incarcerated men and women don’t have family members to visit them or their families have given up and no longer visit. This has been a great opportunity for our members, who are servants of God, to give a listening ear and share a word of encouragement. To see the clients’ faces and hear their sincere thank you and appreciation can’t be described in words! The writers in our group have also done a fantastic job of corresponding via letters. The feedback from clients regarding our pen pals has been phenomenal. So, if you have a desire to write and share the gospel this would be a great avenue for you to express yourself and use the talent God has given you to uplift someone who looks forward to receiving mail.

Currently, we’re in the process of developing a financial workshop for the Osborne Association. The focus group would be young men between the ages of 16-24. It’s an alternate program for men who would otherwise serve time for drug and small crime offenses. There you have it. This is just a peek into many opportunities that are available for volunteers interested in the Prison Outreach Ministry. We have a host of other initiatives that we are working into. We are definitely keeping busy! We thank everyone for your support. Please reach out if you are interested in joining our group; we would love to have you onboard. God Bless.

Matthew 25:36 “I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” (NKJV)