Volunteer |
Becoming a Prison Ministry Volunteer is not for everyone. Some individuals cannot get beyond the claustrophobic feeling of many doors and gates closing behind them and knowing that they cannot just walk out quickly when they want to. However, for others who eventually discover the “calling” of being a prison ministry volunteer, it becomes a very rewarding ministry.
In 1989, I walked into a chapel at Elmira Correctional Facility with 40 volunteers to conduct an In-Prison Seminar for about 300 residents. Over many years I’ve learned quite a few things about being involved in prison ministry.
The Apostle Paul said: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23.) Paul discovered that he didn’t have to have the same life experiences that the people he was trying to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, all prison ministry volunteers have to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ told incarcerated individuals. Jesus was moved with compassion for those that He saw as sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:35-38.) Like Psalm 23, that meant they were sheep that had never known the protection, provision, or guidance of a shepherd and that is what prison ministry volunteers should bring to a correctional facility. Another thing to realize is that many incarcerated individuals have had time to study God’s Word and they are already our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have to be open to learn spiritual insights from their walks with God as well as sharing our experience with Jesus Christ.
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Golden Key Prison Ministry covers a five-county area in South Central New York and from time to time we have a need for Christians to join our ministry teams in various counties. If you feel that God may be calling you to prison ministry, please click on the button below for our Volunteer Application, fill it out, and send it to Golden Key Prison Ministry PO Box 536 Newark Valley, NY 13811. We will get back to you with further information, arrange a face-to-face meeting, and let you know what opportunities are available at the time. You would always be entering the correctional facilities with other experienced volunteers.
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Additional ways that you can support Golden Key Prison Ministry as a volunteer without entering the facilities.