Dear John,
Anyone who has met me knows how important my family is to me. I know I’m not alone in saying that, after my relationship with the Lord, in order of priorities my family comes next. That’s why I am so thrilled to share some of the important work Prison Fellowship is doing to support and restore families.
All of us with a spouse can surely attest that marriage is a gift—but it’s also quite a bit of work. And that work is made infinitely harder when one spouse is in prison. Incarceration increases a couple's risk of divorce by about a third, which is a tragedy by any standards, but especially troubling when we know how important the role of family support plays in the success of those living in and returning from prison. We recently spoke with two wives, Elsy and Leyda, who came together as friends during their husbands’ incarceration. They shared how difficult that separation is for the spouse at home, as well as the challenges they faced, such as loneliness, financial uncertainty, family rejection, and raising children alone.
These challenges take a toll on marriages and families, which is why we at Prison Fellowship are committed to doing all we can to support the entire family through and after incarceration.
One of the primary ways we help families is by supporting their loved ones in prison. The brokenness that lands men and women in prison, left unaddressed, perpetuates a cycle of destructive thinking and behaviors. Founded on the Christian belief of human dignity and redemption, Prison Fellowship Academy seeks to disrupt this cycle.
Using targeted curriculum, compassionate coaches, and restorative community, Academy participants embark on a yearlong journey to develop and practice the biblically based values of community, affirmation, productivity, responsibility, restoration, and integrity. Academy graduates complete the program as good spouses, parents, friends, and citizens in their communities inside and outside of prison.
A recent Academy graduate shared that in the program she learned “Living in a community, working through conflict resolution, boundaries and all of the things that are crucial to a successful life.” We are so grateful for the ways the Lord is transforming lives through this important program.
Another crucial way we support families affected by incarceration is through Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, which equips churches to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children and supports the families of prisoners year-round.
Angel Tree provides an opportunity for local congregations to extend the hope of the Gospel through delivering Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents, sending kids to summer camp, facilitating one-day sports camps, and more. Angel Tree also invites and equips churches to enfold Angel Tree families into church life, resulting in mutually beneficial relationships of encouragement, growth, and support.
Right now we are recruiting churches to participate in Angel Tree this Christmas. Would you consider engaging your church in providing gifts and the Gospel to children in your community this Christmas? You have the opportunity to impact a child struggling with the challenges of their parent’s incarceration and provide important ministry to families in need.
Finally, as I mentioned earlier this month, August marked 45 years since Chuck Colson founded Prison Fellowship, fulfilling his promise never to forget the people he had met behind bars. Chuck also kindled a passion for prison ministry in countless people he encountered over the years—including me.
In the last five years it’s been a joy to see Chuck’s original vision reach a new depth and breadth of impact. To mark this milestone, I recently asked you for any questions you have about the ministry of Prison Fellowship today. We received so many thoughtful and meaningful questions, so thank you! I’ve filmed some responses for you, and we’ve begun to post them on our social media channels. You can view the videos in the collection on Facebook, or find them on our other social platforms, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Your faithfulness to pray and support the Lord’s ministry to incarcerated men and women and their families has transformed countless lives over these past 45 years. Thank you for committing yourself to the calling the Lord has given us all to remember those in prison.
Joyfully,
JAMES J. ACKERMAN
President and Chief Executive Officer
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