Happy New Year! I hope you are experiencing Christ’s joy and peace in a fresh way as we begin 2026. It’s an exciting time here at Prison Fellowship as we’re officially celebrating 50 years of ministry. We celebrate all that God has done and will continue to do—as they say in the Prison Fellowship Academy, we are “better than yesterday, not done yet!”
2026 will hold many opportunities to continue being part of what God is doing, and it takes all of us to make a difference. Nobody knows that better than our brothers and sisters in Prison Fellowship’s intensive in-prison programs—now at 229 sites and counting. The numbers are encouraging, but they’re not nearly as exciting as the powerful testimonies behind those numbers.
Men and women in prison are embracing new values and discovering their identity in Christ. They’re being equipped for futures of hope and purpose and service. I recently learned that men in the Prison Fellowship Academy in Alaska made hats for local children as a community service project. At another Academy site over in Texas, participants raised money to purchase school supplies for children. Any resident at the facility could donate to the cause, and the fundraiser was a huge success!
I’m so humbled by the generosity of men and women behind bars. The deep transformation taking place in their hearts and minds is so evident. And their stories inspire me to consider how I might be a blessing to others this year.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Often these resolutions are short-lived, or they end up being temporary changes rather than permanent shifts. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Have you ever felt the nudge to learn more about getting more involved with Prison Fellowship? This is a great time of year to consider what that next step looks like for you! Visit us here to learn more.
As we look to the year ahead, I’d like to extend a personal invitation to you, as well as your church leaders and volunteers. Come join us in our nation’s capital for the trip of a lifetime: Restore 2026! Presented by Prison Fellowship, this conference is for church leaders with a heart for restoration. Together we’ll celebrate Prison Fellowship’s 50th anniversary as we learn and grow alongside other leaders on the front lines of ministry.
Your prayers and support are making an eternal impact. Thank you for joining us to encounter Jesus with those impacted by incarceration!
Joyfully,
HEATHER RICE-MINUS President and CEO
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