Adrian*, an ex-inmate, got very few visits or support from his family.
“People with drug and alcohol problems, these problems don’t go away. Just having that support and seeing that somebody out there cares about you makes a big difference.”
One day, Adrian noticed a Prison Fellowship volunteer sitting in the prison yard. Who was he? Adrian was wary at first. “In prison, keeping your guard up becomes second nature.” That’s the chain of fear and rejection. Adrian didn’t know it then, but this man, Scott, would prove to be an encourager who would walk with him in the good times and bad. Someone he could confide in. Adrian says it was Scott who made the Gospel come alive for him.
As Adrian’s release date from prison came closer, he was terrified about how he would make it on the outside. “Before I was incarcerated, I didn’t know any good people. All my friends were drug users and alcoholics, people who broke the law. What am I supposed to do when I get out if I don’t have connections?”
Adrian is a prime example of the type of prisoner who often re-offends once released from prison. Inmates like Adrian might want to be “clean” and change their lives. But it’s hard to shake off the chains of past wrongs… to find a job when you have a criminal record. And sadly, churches often struggle to welcome ex-offenders. The lack of support outside of jail means they get discouraged and return to old criminal friends… they end up re-offending and back inside.
“I had nobody to come get me from prison on my release date. But Scott was there to come pick me up, buy me lunch and take me home.”
Scott also helped Adrian as he struggled to get a job. When he tried to be honest about his past, he found doors closed in his face. Finally, it was through a church connection that Adrian heard of someone willing to give him a chance. At the time, Scott was giving him a lift to and from church every week. “Scott took me out and bought me some clothes and shoes. I even put his name down as a reference. They called up and … yeah, I got the job! I’ve been really blessed.”
Even more important, Scott helped Adrian get established in a church.
“Once I got into church, I was making really good friends… people that are going to be there to support you, to encourage you. Rather than the life that I used to know.”
Today, five years on, Adrian is still working and has a family. He is now giving back, encouraging other ex-offenders. Because of people like you who support prison ministry, Adrian’s chains have been broken… and he’s breaking chains himself!
“After I got out, I met a lot of guys from prison that were coming to church. Just speaking to the guys… they very much relate more to me, because I’ve been there, I’ve been through it.”
God has broken the chains in Adrian’s life… with support from other ChainBreakers. They are people like you who are excited about seeing God work in the lives of inmates. You too can be part of a Gospel transformation in the lives of inmates… setting them free from the chains of fear, rejection and past sins. The rest of society has given up on them… but Jesus never gives up on these prisoners… He makes them into new creations!
Will you join us as a ChainBreaker in supporting this ministry?
Become a regular giver and break the chains on a prisoner’s life!
You’ll help break the chains of fear and rejection. When a faith-filled, Bible-believing Christian walks into a prison and offers unconditional love and support to inmates… you set them free from the unwritten code, “Don’t trust anyone”.
You’ll help break the chain of worthlessness an inmate feels after being beaten or abused as a child. Because he’s told, “Jesus loves you and has a plan for your life”.
You’ll break the chains of past sins… because a prisoner suddenly understands God will forgive him no matter what he’s done… and who then accepts Christ into his life.
And you’ll break the chains of ostracism and isolation for the inmate who rarely gets a visit from family or friends… but who gets one from a Prison Fellowship helper.
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