Easter is less than two weeks away, and our staff are organizing Hope Events across the country to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Celebrating Easter in prison is a longstanding Prison Fellowship tradition that began with our founder, Chuck Colson. It was always one of Chuck’s favorite times to visit the men and women living in prison, and it has become a favorite of mine as well. This year, we have more than 60 Easter Hope Events planned across the country. Each one features speakers, musicians, and other inspirational guests who bring the hope of the Gospel to all who attend.
At Indiana’s Madison Correctional Facility, the worship team from Indian Creek Church will lead hundreds of women in praising God and preparing hearts for the message being brought by Stephanie Wright. This prison doesn’t often get outside groups coming in, and we’re hearing from our field staff that the facility residents are excited to worship with us!
Just a sampling of other planned Easter Hope Events include:
Two back-to-back events at R.J. Donovan, a maximum-security men’s prison near San Diego.
Denver Women’s Prison in Colorado with Judah Smith from ChurchHome and formerly incarcerated singer-songwriter Richard Andrew.
Jess Dunn Correctional Facility in Oklahoma with Transformation Church.
Coastal State Prison in Georgia with Hope City Church and Lisa Kratz Thomas.
We are grateful for all the churches, speakers, and performers who will be ministering to the men and women attending, and we are trusting the Lord to do an amazing work in the hearts of those who will be with us.
Finally, I’m excited to share that the Lord has opened several doors for Prison Fellowship programming to begin in West Virginia, starting with the state’s first Hope Event, which took place in February at Huttonsville Correctional Center. The event featured music by recording artist Stephen Stanley, whose ministry and presence was especially meaningful for the men at this rural prison, where there is scant regular programming. That Hope Event paved the way for the upcoming launch of the first Prison Fellowship Academy at the same facility–praise Jesus! We are grateful to the Lord for opening doors that have been closed for so long.
For many of those attending the upcoming Easter Hope Events, this may be the first time they encounter the Good News of Christ. Could I ask you to pray with me that God would work in hearts right now to encourage those who need His message of hope to attend the events, and that He would bring revival to prisons across America this Easter?
I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to all those whose ongoing support make all of our work possible. You are changing the lives of people like Justin from Michigan, who sent us this note after he attended a recent Hope Event:
“It is so amazing to see volunteers remember us prisoners in Jesus’ name. We so often feel forgotten. God, through the Holy Spirit, touched deep into my heart and soul today. I was reminded that my past does not define me, and that, moving forward with Jesus, my future will be transformational. I am encouraged to stay the path Jesus would have for me.”
We are grateful to you for joining us on this journey to serve the least and the lost. May you and your family enjoy a blessed Easter celebrating the resurrection of our Lord.
In His name,
JAMES J. ACKERMAN President and Chief Executive Officer
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