Partner with the Prison Ministry
Reality
Ø Nearly 2,300,000 prisoners are held in state and federal prisons and local jails. Ø
Over 7,300,000 people are on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole — that’s 1 in every 31 adults.
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Over 3,200 prisoners are on death row.
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Men are over 8 times more likely than women to be incarcerated.
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687,700 state prisoners are serving time for a violent offenses.
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The average prison sentence for a violent offender is 90 months.
67% of released prisoners are rearrested within 3 years. This recidivism rate is highest among drug and property offenders.
The Only Answer Is Jesus Christ
Lennie Spitale, an ECS volunteer, wrote the book "Prison Ministry". In it he says:
“I do not know of any more fertile ground for the gospel in all of the
Where else can you strike up a conversation with strangers and have over 90 percent of the people you encounter willing to talk with you? Think about this! What I have described is a razor-wire beehive filled with humbled souls who know they have done wrong, who are often broken and repentant over their condition, and who are now giving you their full attention. I often ask them, ‘How many of you would have given me two minutes of your time when you were out on the streets?’ The answer, almost always, is none of them. Then I announce that God, in His great mercy and compassion, has slowed them down long enough to consider the claims of the gospel and has put them in a gracious state to receive it!”
The ECS Prison Ministry Works!
“I was totally corrupt, and that lifestyle nearly cost me my life on the operating table because of numerous stab wounds. I lost everything in prison, but through the process I came to really know Christ. Your Bible courses like Guide to Christian Growth have helped me alot, revealing things I never knew about the Lord Jesus. Pray that during my 20 year sentence I will walk in righteousness.” (Tony, inmate in California)
“For over 25 years, I’ve been incarcerated behind these iron bars and walls of stone and concrete. I never thought that I’d ever have anything to do with religion. But then one day in the mail came my first Bible correspondence course. I’ve been studying the lessons and have received Jesus Christ as Savior . . . and now I truly cannot believe what has been happening to me! I feel like I’ve been transformed, molded, and set free, even while incarcerated. I may have lost everything that I have or own, but here in prison I’ve found Jesus and He’s found me, and I’m so thankful for His mercy and forgiveness for my sins. It’s great to belong to him.” (Joe, inmate in Colorado)
How Can I Help?
With 70+ study courses in English and 45+ in Spanish, there are many to choose from in a wide range of categories including evangelism, doctrine, and Christian growth. But developing, printing, and distributing these courses costs money. That’s why we need YOU to partner in this important prison ministry.
Yes, I want to partner with the ECS Prison Ministry by providing a financial gift to help reach inmates with the gospel. Enclosed is my gift of:
$48 to send Bible study courses to 8 inmates.
$192 to send Bible study courses to 32 inmates.
$480 to send Bible study courses to 80 inmates.
$_______ to send Bible study courses to as
many inmates as possible ($6 per inmate).
Freedom on the Inside
Here's a poem from Travis, an inmate in Colorado. His life has been transformed because of Jesus Christ. He now has new life in Christ.
I’m Born to Win Locked-away and left to rot, I blamed the world for the time I got. Mad at life, I’d curse; then cry . . . ‘How could you, God? Why, oh why?’ My days were marked by fits of rage, As I fought and kicked against my cage. My nights were marred by fit-full dreams, As I plotted future, vengeful schemes. Then finally one day I let God in, When I found a book called Born To Win. Unsure at first, I had my doubts, ‘Til I cracked the book to check it out. I read each chapter one-by-one— My walk with Jesus had begun. He took my hand and lifted me, From the bowels of hell and set me free! Now His word I study every day, From the books ECS sends my way. And, like the Berean’s before me, too— I search to prove each word is true. In my cell I sit upon my bed, And thank the Lord for my Daily Bread, For the blood that Jesus shed for me, And for His work on And now that I’m hip to Satan’s lies, I will my faith not compromise. I’m no longer bound to death and sin, For now I know, I’m Born to Win!
