Signs everywhere point to the fact that we are deep into the autumn season: shorter days, cooler weather, and an abundance of all things pumpkin. With autumn also comes football, and I’m thrilled to share that we just partnered with the Baltimore Ravens to host an amazing Angel Tree sports camp for Maryland boys and girls who have an incarcerated parent! The 150 kids who participated had a full day of fun at the Ravens’ practice facility.
The day started with getting fitted for a pair of Nike sneakers and hitting the field with coaches from Baltimore Ravens Youth Football Outreach to develop skills in football and perseverance for life’s challenges. The kids received inspiration and validation from volunteers from local churches, and they heard the Good News of Jesus’ love for them—all while having fun on the field with other kids facing similar challenges. While the kids tossed footballs and ran drills, parents and caregivers received support as well, with volunteers providing information on resources available through local churches and partners, including U.S. Dream Academy, Junior Achievement, Banner Neighborhoods, and Helping Up Mission. The day ended with everyone coming together for a tailgate
party hosted by Coca-Cola Consolidated and Safeway with barbeque and games for the kids. Families received swag bags with a football, a Bible, and a devotional, as well as a take-home meal courtesy of our partners. It was a true blessing for everyone who participated.
Sports camps aren’t all that’s going on with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree this fall. Parents in prison have just finished signing up their children for Angel Tree Christmas. There was a flurry of in-prison Angel Tree Parent Day events in recent months so that as many incarcerated parents as possible could learn about and sign up for Angel Tree Christmas. These parents are so hungry to connect with their kids—parents like Steven, a “lifer” who wrote recently to say:
“I just wanted to take the time … to thank you all so very much for doing what you do and for making Christmas possible and putting a smile of the faces of … kids like my own. You’ve done it for me four times out of the 11 years that I’ve been in prison, and I will never be able to repay you guys for this, because what you do is priceless—the way they light up with a big smile!”
Does your church or organization participate in Angel Tree? Martha and I have loved helping our own church bring joy to Angel Tree kids at Christmas, and there may be unassigned children in your state who need a reason to smile this year. Check out our Angel Tree Christmas page and find out how you can register your own church
to bring a gift and the Gospel to kids this Christmas—and all year long.
We can’t thank you enough for all the ways you continue to bring hope and joy to men and women in prison and their families. Your prayers and support ensure that all those who need the hope of Jesus will hear the message of His love and will have an opportunity to find the life He has for them. Thank you for being a part of their journey to restoration.
Celebrating Him,
JAMES J. ACKERMAN President and Chief Executive Officer
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Prison Fellowship P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA, 22116-1550 US
