Continuing with our ministry spotlight, WordJourney turns its focus to Prison Fellowship Ministries, a Christian outreach to the incarcerated and their families.

Founded: In 1976 by chuck Colson, a former aide to President Nixon who himself was involved in the Watergate cover-up and was imprisoned. Prison Fellowship International (PFI), the global umbrella organization for Prison Fellowship groups, is headed by Ron Nikkel. Today, there are more than 100 Prison Fellowship ministries reporting to PFI.

Mission: “To seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, family, and community through the power and truth of Jesus Christ.”

Projects: The main thrust of Prison Fellowship is to minister to men and women who are in prison. Prison Fellowship gains access to prisons around the world, by holding Bible studies and prayer groups for those who are seeking God. Through their work Prison Fellowship says that they are able to restore broken lives, bring crime statistics down and make communities safer. Additionally, Prison Fellowship runs Angel Tree — a program to provide Christmas gifts and year round help for children of prisoners — and Justice Fellowship — a faith-based training program for prisoners and a reentry program in Iowa. You can hear Chuck Colson on his Breakpoint program where he discusses faith matters as related to current news.

Budget: $40 million for its U.S. operations alone

Notables: In the U.S., 8,000 churches and more than 11,000 volunteers partner with Prison Fellowship. Group claims that recidivism rates drop by 66 percent for people who participate in their programs. Prison Fellowship is active in all 50 states and is in more than 1,400 correctional facilities.

National Headquarters:

Prison Fellowship Ministries
44180 Riverside Parkway
Leesburg, VA 20176-0176
877-478-0100
pfm.org

World Headquarters:

Prison Fellowship International
PO Box 17434
Washington, DC 20041
703-554-8664
pfi.org

Resources

Angel Tree: Prison Fellowship

Breakpoint with Chuck Colson

Dallas Observer: Prisoner Re-Entry Supporters Tie Into National Faith-Based Out4Life Network

WHSV.com: Working to Keep Former Inmates “Out4Life”

Popularity: 2% [?]

From time to time WordJourney focuses on some of the ministries doing the work of the Lord, large and small. Beginning today, we’re rolling out a new feature–Ministry Spotlight–to give our readers a concise overview of their operation.

Founded: 1970 by Bob Pierce. Today, the organization is run by Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham.

Mission: Based on the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). In the name of Jesus Christ, Samaritan’s Purse seeks to go to the “…aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering,” by providing food, shelter and other needs. Through their work, the organization believes that it gives them the opportunity to share the gospel message.

Projects: Organization is active in more than 100 countries, providing assistance to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Samaritan’s Purse is active throughout the U.S. wherever disaster strikes. Globally, they have responded to recent disasters including the Haitian earthquake, Myanamar cyclone and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Organization has a number of outreaches including Operation Christmas Child, World Medical Mission, Children’s Heart Project and Turn on the Tap, the latter a water purification program.

Budget: $319 million (projected income for 2010)

Notables: Since 2000, Samaritan’s Purse has been recognized by SmartMoney magazine as the most efficient religious charity.

World Headquarters:

Samaritan’s Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
828-262-1980
samaritanspurse.org

Resources

FEMA Success Stories: State, FEMA and Volunteers Work Together to Help Re-Build Eagle

MLive.com: Spring Arbor University senior seeks donation to help provide clean water in Sudan

Wheaton College — Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals: Robert “Bob” Pierce

Popularity: 1% [?]