It’s a time inside prison most people never see… the hours after the volunteers and chaplains have gone home and the cell doors lock shut. For many men and women, these hours are the hardest of all.
Time alone. Thinking, remembering… carrying the shame.
For close to 30 years, Christian Literature Outreach has been making it possible for Christian books, Bibles, devotionals and other resources to make their way into prison cells across Australia. Meeting broken people in some of their most difficult moments, each treasured page reveals the hope and love of Jesus.
For in the silence of a prison cell, the Word of God still speaks.
As we joyfully welcome Christian Literature Outreach into the ministry of Prison Fellowship Australia, these testimonies from prisoners and chaplains show just how much of a difference Christian resources can make in the lives of men and women behind bars.
→ Terry* is an indigenous person who has been in and out of prison as long as I’ve ministered here in Western Australia (since 2008). I had a report from a staff member – who knew my long-term relationship with him – that spoke about how positive he had been since coming back inside.
When I got to speak to him, Terry* shared that when he first came back, he was feeling very low, asking himself the question: ‘What on earth am I here for?’ The next day, as he looked through a bookshelf in maximum security, he came across a book sent over by Christian Literature Outreach titled, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren. Terry* showed me several passages that had helped him understand how fear had been holding him back for years. I prayed for him and left, feeling blessed that he ‘just so happened’ to come across that book.
That day when I went home, my delivery from Christian Literature Outreach was sitting on the porch. When I opened the box, sitting at the very top was another resource from Rick Warren, a booklet similarly titled, What on Earth Am I Here For? I knew that God wanted me to give it Terry*. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him how I came across it!
Here’s what I am praising God for: that over there in Sydney, as you packed books in somewhat of a random fashion, the Spirit of God directed whoever was packing my box to place this booklet on top, so that I was able to get it straight to Terry*.
Simon*, prison chaplain
→ Thank you for the support you have provided through the free books you supply to our correctional centre chapel. I have found the true stories to be inspirational and, in a big way, they have helped me identify where God has been evident in my life… I came to be a prisoner two years ago and tended to blame God, but after going to chapel a few months ago… I have started to realise all that God has done for me in the past. Your books have played a big part in this turnaround.
Delilah*, inmate
→ Omar* came to our prison as a devout Muslim. As coordinating chaplain, I was asked to check that he had all he needed to practice his faith. We struck up a friendship, where we focused on things that unite us, rather than divide us. I was aware he enjoyed drawing, so I thought I would give him some Christian comic books delivered by Christian Literature Outreach. I started with Old Testament stories, given that Islam considers a number of individuals in the Old Testament as important prophets. He was incredibly excited to receive them, and over time, I progressed to the books relating to Jesus.
It is incredibly exciting that these books are able to cross the social and religious divide, and provide an opening for him to understand characters in the Bible, and specifically the person and work of Jesus… I am encouraged that he is coming to know and understand more about who Jesus is and what He did for us all.
Bill*, prison chaplain
→ I have felt lost for a while now, being incarcerated a few times, having no faith in God, the prison system or the community. I also lost my only child in the last 12 months.
My life was on the path of destruction, burning every bridge and not caring about the consequences or effects on people… But then the Holy Spirit touched me through another inmate who suggested that we pray for my child, one year after my angel left this earth. The prayer made me feel better, and so I started to attend chapel. I also started reading the Bible and the books you kindly donate. Since then, my life has changed. Your books make a real difference in strengthening inmates’ faith – thank you for helping the Holy Spirit work within jail.
Mandy*, inmate
→ When you wake up in prison and realise it’s not a dream – that you’re really inside a cell – your mind fills with thousands of questions. During those difficult times… reading the Bible and the books that had been sent into the prison quenched my search for hope. In the desert of life, those books were like light in a dark dungeon… I found hope in God.
Marcus*, former inmate
→ The most popular books in prison are those written by former inmates. When prisoners read about someone who has broken the cycle of prison, it gives them hope. When new books arrive, some inmates are like kids at Christmas. They ask weeks in advance when the next devotional will arrive. One time a Colombian prisoner was searching for the second book in a series. When I gave it to him, this tough grown man had tears running down his face as he hugged me.
Paul*, prison chaplain
*Names have been changed
AS WE TAKE ON CHRISTIAN LITERATURE OUTREACH as a ministry of Prison Fellowship Australia, please pray that God’s Word would come alive to all those who read it. If you would like to receive regular prayer updates so you can continually pray for our work, click here to sign up today!
