It may still be summer, but I’m already thinking about Christmas—because Prison Fellowship Angel Tree is right around the corner. If you’re involved with Angel Tree Christmas, you know exactly what I mean. And so does Dawn, a woman whose incredible story I’d like to share with you. (You can also watch her video here.)
Then, Dawn heard about Angel Tree on the radio. She knew how grief and loss can feel even greater during the holidays. She thought about what it would be like to bring Christmas gifts to children who are separated from their incarcerated parents.
“My daughter was gone,” Dawn said. “I could just imagine kids hurting because one of their parents is in jail. They might not have a good Christmas, and we could make them a little happy and share the Gospel in a simple form. I was like, ‘I want to do this.’”
Dawn asked her pastor about starting Angel Tree at their church. Even though the congregation was small—150 people at the most—the pastor agreed. Crossroads Church has been experiencing the joy of Angel Tree for more than 15 years now. They host an annual Christmas party for children who, alongside their parents and guardians, enjoy crafts, snacks, and of course the gift from their incarcerated parent.
Even when faced with personal challenges over the years, Dawn said Angel Tree has always been a constant.
“We have to keep sharing God’s love. The harvest is always full, and [I wanted] to keep working,” she remembers. “Angel Tree has helped me, because I’m looking out for kids and doing this ministry work at Christmastime. I don’t have to worry about me. I think about these kids and make sure they get their gifts.”
We have so much to look forward to this year as a ministry! If your church is not currently a part of Angel Tree, don’t miss out. You can register your church or learn more here.
Another event I’m looking forward to is Restore, our two-day conference this fall. Restore offers a collaborative environment for ministry leaders who want to help people in their community find purpose and freedom in Christ—especially people who are often overlooked and underserved. This conference is for any church leader with a heart for ministering to people who are navigating homelessness, poverty, addiction recovery, or other struggles.
Please share this wonderful opportunity with your church leadership! Or, if you are a church leader, you can register here today.
I’m so grateful for your faithful prayers and support. As always, please let our prayer team know how we can be praying for you.
Thank you for helping to bring hope to the incarcerated and their families!
Serving Him with you,
HEATHER RICE-MINUS President and CEO
P.S. To continue receiving these ministry updates in your inbox, please add prison_fellowship@email.prisonfellowship.org to your address book or safe list. Learn how here.
