North American North American

DivisionDivision

Prison Ministry, Prison Ministry,

Consultant and TrainerConsultant and Trainer

Dr. Cleveland HouserDr. Cleveland Houser

Justification for Prison Evangelism

I was an hungered and ye gave I was an hungered and ye gave

me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave

me drink: I was in prison, and ye me drink: I was in prison, and ye

came unto me. Then shall the came unto me. Then shall the

righteous answer him, saying, when righteous answer him, saying, when

Lord, saw we thee an Lord, saw we thee an

hungered, and fed thee not? Or hungered, and fed thee not? Or

thirsty, and gave thee drink? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? Or

when saw we thee a stranger, and when saw we thee a stranger, and

took thee in? Or naked, and clothed took thee in? Or naked, and clothed

thee? Or when we thee sick, or in thee? Or when we thee sick, or in

prison, and came unto thee? And prison, and came unto thee? And

the Kingthe King

Justification for Prison EvangelismJustification for Prison Evangelism

shall answer and say unto them, shall answer and say unto them,

verily I say unto you,: Inasmuch as verily I say unto you,: Inasmuch as

ye have done it unto the least of ye have done it unto the least of

these my brethren, ye have done it these my brethren, ye have done it

unto me.”unto me.” Matthew 25:35-40Matthew 25:35-40

Justification for Prison EvangelismJustification for Prison Evangelism

1.1. Matthew 25: 25-40 is Christ Matthew 25: 25-40 is Christ

Great Great Commission to evangelize Commission to evangelize

the prisonsthe prisons..

2. 2. Prison evangelism was the Prison evangelism was the

last ministry that last ministry that Christ endorsedChrist endorsed

while he was on earth. while he was on earth.

3. 3. On Calvary hanging between On Calvary hanging between

two thieves, Christ, did prison two thieves, Christ, did prison

evangelism: while Heevangelism: while He

Note:Note: The Theological Imperative of The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25Matthew 25

was on Death Row, He commuted the was on Death Row, He commuted the

sentence of a prisonsentence of a prison inmate from inmate from

eternal eternal damnation to eternal life. damnation to eternal life.

4. 4. Christ commands us to go Christ commands us to go

into the prisons and evangelizeinto the prisons and evangelize..

Note:Note: The Theological Imperative of The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25Matthew 25

not this the fast that I

have chosen? To loose the

bands of wickedness, heavy

burdens, and let the

oppressed go free, and that

ye break every yoke? Is it not

to deal thy

The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25

deal thydeal thy bread to the hungry, bread to the hungry,

and that thou bring the poor that and that thou bring the poor that

are cast out of are cast out of thy house? When thy house? When

thou seest the naked, that thou thou seest the naked, that thou

cover him: and that thou hide cover him: and that thou hide

not thyself from thine own not thyself from thine own

flesh?” flesh?” Isaiah 58:6-7Isaiah 58:6-7

The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25The Theological Imperative of Matthew 25

1.1. Loose the bands of wickedness. Men Loose the bands of wickedness. Men and and women in prison are women in prison are sailing upon a sea of sailing upon a sea of wickedness with no compass nor sense of wickedness with no compass nor sense of

direction.direction.

2.2. To undo heavy burden through the To undo heavy burden through the elevating elevating power of the gospel.power of the gospel.

3.3. Let the oppress go free. The gospel Let the oppress go free. The gospel liberates liberates

the mind and makes doing time a more the mind and makes doing time a more tolerable tolerable event in your life.event in your life.

4.4. Break every yoke – stop the curse.Break every yoke – stop the curse.

NoteNote:: Operation Set Operation Set FreeFree

Spirit of the LordSpirit of the Lord God is upon God is upon

me; because the Lord has anointed me; because the Lord has anointed

me to preach glad tidings unto the me to preach glad tidings unto the

meek: he hath sent me to bind up the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the

brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to

the captives and the opening of the the captives and the opening of the

prison to them that are bound…” prison to them that are bound…”

Isaiah 61:1.Isaiah 61:1.

NoteNote:: Operation Set FreeOperation Set Free

Note: Mashiach to the Incarcerated

1. Mashiach made me Messiah –

anointed to preach, to

evangelize. 2.

Preach the good news of salvation and

forgiveness.

3. Proclaim liberty to the captives.

4.Opening of the prison – cells of self degradation.

Prophetic Prison Initiative::

Prison inmates are not insignificant

entities floating upon a sea of forgetfulness

but they are souls that Christ gave his life for.

“Christ identifies Himself with every child of

humanity. In order that we might become members

of the heavenly family, He became a member of the

earthly family. He is the Son of Man, and thus a

brother to every son and daughter of Adam.

Prophetic Prison Initiative

His followers are not to feel themselves

detached from the perishing world around

them….the fallen, the erring, and the sinful:

Christ’s love embraces, and every deed of

kindness done to uplift a fallen soul, every

act of mercy is accepted as done to Him.”

--Desire of Ages, P.638

Prophetic Prison Initiative

“The 25th chapter of Matthew presents

the fact that when one open the door to the

needy and suffering we are welcoming

unseen angels. It was I who was sick. It was

I who was in prison. While you were feasting

at your bountifully spread table, I was

famishing in the hovel of the empty street .

Prophetic Prison Initiative

While you were at ease in your

luxurious home, I had no where to lay my

head. While you crowed your wardrobe with

rich apparel, I was destitute. While you

pursued your pleasures, I languished in

prison.”

-Ibid., PP 639,640

“InIn the great judgment day, those who

have not worked for Christ, who have drifted

along thinking of themselves, caring for

themselves will be placed by the judge of the

whole earth with those who do evil. They

receive the same condemnation.”

-Ibid., p 641

Prophetic Prison Initiative

Anti-social behavioral patterns dictate

the need for more aggressive prison

evangelism.

Prisons have become giant suck holes

that are draining community man-power.

Suffice it to say, the social

fabric of society has been

marred by the alarming

rate of civil disobedience.

Often this disobedience is the Often this disobedience is the

results of the deterioration of results of the deterioration of

social values that serves as social values that serves as

adhesive components for adhesive components for

strong families.strong families.

Social inequities of all

magnitudes have quadrupled

and have orbited the behavior

of humanity into various

destructive directions.

It appears that the social

behavioral patterns of a vast

number of individuals are like

a run away train that has no

conductor or sense of direction.

Because of the hopelessness and

escalating confusion in the lives

of distracted human being, it is

imperative that social

intervention from help

groups become a high priority;

in order, that the restoration of

normalcy in the lives of the

distracted will become a

materialized reality.

1.1. There are 2.3 million Americans There are 2.3 million Americans

behind bars in federal and state behind bars in federal and state

prisons and local jails.prisons and local jails.

2.2. The largest jail populations are:The largest jail populations are:

A.A. Los Angeles Los Angeles

County……….21,268County……….21,268

B.B. New York City……………….17,680New York City……………….17,680

C.C. Cook County, II…………….. 9,321Cook County, II…………….. 9,321

D.D. Harris County, TX…………..Harris County, TX………….. 7,5877,587

E.E. Dade County, FL…………….Dade County, FL……………. 7,0367,036

3.3. Texas has the largest prison Texas has the largest prison

population in thepopulation in the

USA.USA.

4.4. California has more prison inmates California has more prison inmates

than France, Great Britain, Germany, than France, Great Britain, Germany,

Japan, Singapore and the Netherlands Japan, Singapore and the Netherlands

combined.combined.

5.5. Texas has executed more inmates Texas has executed more inmates

than any than any

state in the USA followed by state in the USA followed by

Oklahoma.Oklahoma.

6.6. Less than a third of prison inmates Less than a third of prison inmates

have committed violent crimes.have committed violent crimes.

7.7. One out of every 150 Americans are One out of every 150 Americans are

incarcerated.incarcerated.

8.8. Prisons are a 40 – 50 billion dollar a Prisons are a 40 – 50 billion dollar a

year industry. year industry.

9.9. There are over 2,350 children There are over 2,350 children

locked up in adult jails every day.locked up in adult jails every day.

10.10.Over 1000 new prisons have been in Over 1000 new prisons have been in

the past 20 year.the past 20 year.

11.11.Over 90,000 women are confined to Over 90,000 women are confined to

Department of Correction Facilities.Department of Correction Facilities.

12.12.The women’s prison population has The women’s prison population has

increased by 138% over the past 10 increased by 138% over the past 10

years.years.

13.13. 54% of the women in prison are of 54% of the women in prison are of

ethnic origin.ethnic origin.

14.14.The average age of women in prison is The average age of women in prison is

29 and 58% have not finished high 29 and 58% have not finished high

school.school.

15.15.There are 198,000 children in the USA There are 198,000 children in the USA

whose mothers are in prison.whose mothers are in prison.

16.16.The vast majority of women in prison The vast majority of women in prison

are incarcerated for defending are incarcerated for defending

themselves from abusive husbands.themselves from abusive husbands.

Why Should You Be Interested In Prison Evangelism?

It is only a group of:It is only a group of:

☞ Murderers

☞ Sadistic Killers

☞ Rapists

☞ Child Molesters

☞ Drug Dealers

☞ Robbers

1. You are the best channel for

communicating God’s grace.

2. GOD calls you to be a fisherman.

a. Just, fish

b. God didn’t ask you to clean

the fish

Why Should You Be InterestedIn Prison Evangelism?

Why Should You Be Interested in Prison Evangelism?

3.3. Follow the method of Jesus as He identified with the downtrodden and disenfranchised. . .

a.a. Mary Magdalene

b.b. Publicans

c.c. Criminals

d.d. GGross depravity

Why Should You Be Interested in Prison Evangelism?

4.4. Isaiah 58:6,7 delineates Prison the Isaiah 58:6,7 delineates Prison the Evangelistic CommissionEvangelistic Commission.

a.a. Set the captives freeSet the captives free

b.b. Undo heavy burdensUndo heavy burdens

c.c. Loose the bands of wickednessLoose the bands of wickedness

5.5. God is in need of God is in need of YOUYOU! (Luke 19:31)

The evangelistic fervor of The evangelistic fervor of

any prison is dictated by any prison is dictated by

the security climate of the security climate of

that same institution.that same institution.

Security Attitudes:Security Attitudes:

a.a. MaximumMaximum

b.b. Death RowDeath Row

c.c. MediumMedium

d.d. MinimumMinimum

Methods of Prison Evangelism:Methods of Prison Evangelism:

a.a. Cell to cellCell to cell

b.b. Inmate worship servicesInmate worship services

c.c. Revivals or crusades Revivals or crusades

d.d. Bible studiesBible studies

e.e. One-on-one pastoral visitsOne-on-one pastoral visits

f.f. Pen Pal ministryPen Pal ministry

g.g. Ministry to inmates familiesMinistry to inmates families

h.h. Support group ministriesSupport group ministries

i.i. Transitional House ministryTransitional House ministry

j.j. Ministering to inmates childrenMinistering to inmates children

Non-AcceptableNon-Acceptable Evangelistic Evangelistic

Attitudes Toward Prison InmatesAttitudes Toward Prison Inmates

a.a. They need to be preached toThey need to be preached to

b.b. All inmates are religiously All inmates are religiously

inadequateinadequate

c.c. Make sure the inmates know that Make sure the inmates know that

you you havehave the truth and other religions the truth and other religions

don’t don’t

Non-AcceptableNon-Acceptable Evangelistic Evangelistic

Attitudes Toward Prison Attitudes Toward Prison InmatesInmates

d.d. Go in- preaching about the Go in- preaching about the

Sabbath, Health Reform and Sabbath, Health Reform and

the the Mark of the BeastMark of the Beast

e.e. Having a judgmental attitudeHaving a judgmental attitude

Non-AcceptableNon-Acceptable Evangelistic Evangelistic

Attitudes Toward Prison InmatesAttitudes Toward Prison Inmates

f.f. Using denominational jargon Using denominational jargon

like like the Spirit of Prophecy, the the Spirit of Prophecy, the

Truth, Truth, etc.etc.

g.g. Disrespect toward other Disrespect toward other

religionsreligions

h.h. Quench in-mate participationQuench in-mate participation

Non-AcceptableNon-Acceptable Evangelistic Evangelistic

Attitudes Toward Prison InmatesAttitudes Toward Prison Inmates

i.i. Don’t make an issue out of Don’t make an issue out of

inmate misunderstanding of inmate misunderstanding of

Bible TruthBible Truth

j.j. Abstain from personal opinions Abstain from personal opinions

and philosophies, and philosophies, JUST PREACH JUST PREACH

JESUS.JESUS.

Essential Characteristicsfor Evangelizing Inmates

a. LOVE – is an outgrowth of unselfish concern for

all persons involved

b. EMPATHY – is the ability to feel with people

and put one’s self in their place

c. SENSE OF MISSION – A desire to give this

priority; a belief that this is something

Essential Characteristics

for Evangelizing Inmates

that you would rather be doing than

anything else in the world

d. SPIRITUAL GROWTH – As you lead others to

a new spiritual growth, you must be willing

and anxious to grow as well

Essential Characteristics

for Evangelizing Inmates

e. TACT AND WISDOM – The Savior never

suppressed the truth, but He always uttered it in

love. In His intercourse with others, He

exercised the greatest tact, and He was always

kind and thoughtful. Gospel Workers P. 117

Essential Characteristics

for Evangelizing Inmates

f. GENUINENESS – There must be no pretense

in the lives of those who have so sacred

and solemn a message as we have been

called to bear.