Prison Ministry
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Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
Hebrews 13:3 (NAS) |
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"Each time I go to the women’s prison in St. Gabriel to minister to incarcerated women, I leave having received far more than I could ever have given.”
--Brenda Ward |
Every Tuesday evening at 5:10 p.m. a group of women from the Istrouma Women’s Prison Ministry visit the St. Gabriel Women’s Prison. As they enter the facility through a heavy metal gate they are led by a prison guard down a long, winding walkway, often lined with inmates who greet the visitors with warm smiles. Many times the ladies who come to minister get a special wave or smile from a particular prisoner who has become familiar with them through Bible study, prayer or just a previous caring conversation. It is so apparent that the Good News and Love of Jesus Christ cannot be kept out of prison by physical walls.
Into the deepest chambers of the facility the ministry women walk until they come to a large double doored room where a number of inmates await their arrival. For two hours, time seems to stand still as free women and women in bondage prayerfully move through the Word of God.
When the end to our evening comes and the ladies of this ministry leave behind their incarcerated sisters yet again, it is always the smiles and words of thanksgiving from the inmates that linger in our thoughts and draw us back yet again each week. What a blessing!
The Istrouma Women’s Prison Ministry is a “Faith Based” ministry functioning in St. Gabriel Women’s Prison, just 15 minutes east of Baton Rouge. Faith Based prison ministries can be found in a number of state operated facilities across the United States.
The good news is that statistics have shown that only 8% of prisoners in Faith Based prison ministries return to prison within 2 years of being released. The bad news is that 68% of prisoners in facilities that do not have a Faith Based program return to prison within 2 years of being released.
If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, contact Carol Hand at womensministry@istrouma.org or call the church office at 225-295-0775. |