I love witnessing the work of Prison Fellowship in person, especially with my family. This fall, my husband, Paul, and I attended an Angel Tree sports camp in Baltimore with our young daughters and extended family. Prison Fellowship hosted the event at Johns Hopkins University with an amazing team of staff and volunteers, welcoming around 200 Angel Tree children and families for a day of fun and encouragement.
It’s so important to show children they are full of potential and never alone. Through no fault of their own, many children with an incarcerated parent face gaps in opportunity and exposure to enrichment. That’s why Prison Fellowship launched the First Chance Network, a group of organizations committed to creating a future where children have a meaningful first chance—with the goal of helping kids flourish both now and in the future.
Prison Fellowship not only convenes the First Chance Network but contributes directly to first-chance programs through our own Angel Tree offerings—programs that help give children early opportunities to thrive. I have no doubt the Angel Tree sports camp will be a cherished memory for each family, including mine—Paul and I have a great niece and nephews who attended the camp with their mom. Their dad just came home from prison this year after being gone more than three years. During this time physically separated from their dad, the kids stayed connected with him through Angel Tree Christmas, and Angel Tree sports camps have provided a space for them to recognize they are not alone.
Children between the ages of 7 and 17 enjoyed basketball drills and practiced jump shots, free throws, and layups. They spent time with positive role models and received encouragement for the future, all while playing alongside other kids with a parent behind bars. Parents, guardians, grandparents, and other loved ones heard an uplifting message from Jermaine Wilson, Prison Fellowship’s mission ambassador, a former Angel Tree dad who has an incredible transformation story. Every camper took home a free pair of Nike shoes, a basketball, and a goodie bag filled with fun accessories.
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree strengthens bonds and supports families all year through churches like yours. It offers life-giving encouragement and hope to the incarcerated and their loved ones and helps enfold families into a church community. It is a ministry of presence that blesses all of us who choose to be a part of it.
So, my question is, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, join us to share the hope of the Gospel and help strengthen family bonds. Local churches are getting ready to serve thousands of parents and children this Christmas. Don’t miss out! You can register your church and learn more here. Or give today to help make Angel Tree possible for the hundreds of thousands of children who will be waking up without their parent this Christmas.
Your support is changing lives, now and for eternity. Please reach out to usif there is any way our team can be praying for you. Thank you for joining us to encounter Jesus with the incarcerated and their families!
Serving Him with you,
HEATHER RICE-MINUS President and CEO
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