Ron Hale
Minister of Missions
rhale@wjbc.org

Royce Sherrod
Secretary
rsherrod@wjbc.org

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Our goal is for prisoners to become born again and grow as fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ. We work directly with prison chaplains to facilitate programming to assist in their ministry as pastors of the Church on the inside. We recruit and train volunteers that lead regular Bible Studies, Seminars and Special Events. Volunteers work closely with the chaplain, Christian Motorcyclist Association and West Jackson Baptist Church to help the prisoner move through a continuum of discipleship that begins on the inside and continues to a successful transition back into society as a faithful servant of Christ.

To find out how you can volunteer contact :
Jay Benthal at: phone: 731-267-0119 or 731-267-0118
E-mail: scuba5227@jaxnet.net

About the Prison Ministry

West Jackson Baptist Church reaches out to prisoners, and their families both as an act of service to Jesus Christ and as a contribution to restoring peace to our communities endangered by crime. The best way to transform our communities is to transform the people within those communities—and truly restorative change comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.” The symbol reminds us that while society may cast aside those people it deems useless and unworthy, God continues to pursue them with His steadfast love, offering forgiveness and restoration.

The focus of Prison Ministry includes fellowshipping with Jesus (including teaching others to live and look at life from a biblical perspective), and visiting prisoners.

Society often scorns and neglects: prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families.

God, unlike the world, has always chosen to identify closest with those who are isolated and broken. “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 . . . I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:35-36, 40

Visit Prison in a Letter

As a Pen Pal, you can bring hope, compassion, and the Gospel into a lonely environment. Prisoners are often isolated from family and friends. Very often their relationship with a Christian pen pal is their only connection with the outside world. Imagine the witness it is to a prisoner when the only person who will write and be a friend is a Christian. Pen pals have the opportunity to engage in prison ministry without ever actually entering a prison.

Do you remember when getting a letter was a special occasion? In prison, where contact with family and friends is limited, phone calls are few and email is not available, a letter can truly be a lifeline. A letter can bring light and hope into a very dark and lonely place. With the guiding love of Jesus Christ, correspondence with a prisoner can change a life by touching the heart.

The Pen Pal Ministry is designed to reach every prisoner who longs to correspond with a Christian pen pal. At any given time, there are hundreds of prisoners waiting to be matched with a pen pal volunteer. That is why West Jackson Baptist Church Prison Ministry has invited you to become a Pen Pal – so that you may share this compelling program with other Christians who have a heart for prison ministry and a gift for writing letters.

D0:

• Use your church address.
• Encourage and pray for your prisoner friend regularly.
• Write at least once a month if possible.
  Be a good listener and give hope through God’s Word.
• Be aware that prisoners may have emotional ups and downs. You may be able to provide some emotional stability.
• Be aware of con games.
• Be prepared for some romantic overtures.
• Check prison regulations before sending any gifts, books, magazines, etc. (only for Christmas, birthdays or special occasions).

Don’t:

• Give legal advice or counsel regarding a prisoner’s case.
• Send money for financial support or legal fees; don’t sign or co-sign loans, or process money orders.
• Ask why a prisoner is incarcerated.
• Provide other names and addresses for your prisoner pen pal to write to.
• Give out your telephone number or agree to receive collect calls.
• Send photos, except for group shots.