Dear John,

Our founder Chuck Colson strongly believed that part of our Christian calling is to “discern a biblical perspective on the deep-rooted social problems so prevalent today.” Because prison is a microcosm of the culture in which we live, it provides a view into societal ills—amplified because of its close quarters and often violent citizens. What may be surprising for some, however, is that prison also provides us with solutions for those very same problems.

For more than 45 years, Prison Fellowship has shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with those behind bars and offered the hope of true transformation. Through Bible-based programming, such as the Prison Fellowship Academy, and with the help of thousands of committed volunteers, lives are being changed, hope is being restored, and darkness is being replaced with the promise of a future. Our work plants Gospel-centered communities behind bars.

Those communities of peace provide us with a framework for how to use biblical truths to address one of our culture’s most entrenched social problems: race relations. Through our Prison Fellowship Academy, which brings together people in prison to live peacefully, build relationships, and care for one another, we see participants carrying out the Lord’s call to love our neighbor as ourselves. And it is through these communities in prison that we can begin to find the answer to the age-old question, Who is my neighbor?

We recently had Academy Director Darryl Brooks and National Director of Operations Cody Wilde share with us how unity and diversity are ordained by God from the very beginning of creation. Using the Bible and real-life examples from their experiences leading people through the Academy, Darryl and Cody discussed how hate is a result of the Fall and how—through transformation in Jesus Christ—division gives way to community. "Diversity is part of God's eternal plan," Cody explained. Time and again, we see men and women come into the Academy hating each other based only on the color of their skin, but by the time they graduate, they are the dearest of friends. The underlying lies of racism are exposed and division gives way to unity. As the Psalmist so profoundly stated, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.”

Our experience in prisons has brought us face to face with racism, a sin that violates human dignity and worth. But in response to this sin, Prison Fellowship shares the unchanging truth and unending grace of the Gospel with all those affected by crime and incarceration. As we work to restore communities inside and outside prison, we will continue to reflect the mandate in Isaiah 1:17, helping individuals “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression”—wherever it emerges.

I’m pleased to report that we’re also seeing progress in this social issue in the Christian culture at large. We work with the evangelical Christian polling firm Barna Group to conduct a biannual survey focused on criminal justice issues . The survey specifically highlights opinions among practicing Christians. The 2021 results are now in, and they showed an increase in practicing Christians reporting that their church was engaged in raising awareness about race issues. In 2021, 35% of Christians were actively addressing race issues within their church communities, compared to 29% in 2019. We are encouraged to see that our brothers and sisters in Christ are growing in Jesus’ mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We know that everyone is created in the image of God, and so we celebrate that the Lord is transforming lives in prisons and helping us see the value and worth of all our neighbors. To that end, we would love for you to attend a one-of-a-kind virtual celebration on Thursday, December 16, at 8 p.m. EST. As our friends and ministry partners, you and your entire family are invited to come rejoice with us in what the Lord has done this year. Join us for a Christmas celebration with special music and more! Simply register here and celebrate the Lord’s goodness with us this Christmas.

Thank you for journeying with us through the hard work of bringing God’s Kingdom to bear in prison communities nationwide. Your support makes this work possible, and it is sustained through your ongoing faithful prayers. May the Lord’s blessings be on you and yours.

Rejoicing with Him,