Our Missions World, September, 2002

The Forgotten Mission Field (960 words) Due Dec 4, 2001

Have you ever forgotten something important? Like a meeting or where you put something? Imagine forgetting about an entire mission field. A mission field that has over 6 million people in it. That is more people than some states and countries!

The forgotten mission field includes all of the men and women who are in prison in the United States. Think about it. Crime is such a problem that every city and every county has a local jail. (Jails are also called "correctional facilities.") Crime is such a problem that over 6 million people are under correctional supervision.

What has gone wrong to cause so many people to turn to crime? Too many people have exchanged what God wants for what we want. We, like Satan, try to tell God what to do. The best way to reduce crime is to teach and follow the teachings of Jesus. Prisons can punish people and cause them to change how they act. Only Jesus can change people on the inside. Humans must exchange our will for God’s will.

People need to know that God defines what is right and wrong. Our culture wants us to believe that every person can define right and wrong. That is why so many people are doing the wrong thing. We must learn what God says is right and wrong.

Matthew 25:31-45 tells the story of the second coming of Jesus for judgment. He separates those who know Jesus personally from those who practiced a false religion.

There are many false religions that do not teach about the creator God or His Son, Jesus. They teach you can change through what you do or how you act. True change only comes through Jesus.

Everything we need to know about God we can learn from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Notice in these verses that one of the characteristics of those who are true followers of Jesus is that they care for others, including those in prison.

The Apostle Paul taught about internal change in Romans 3:21-26. People who choose to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ and are sorry for disobeying God can become a Christian. A Christian is changed from the inside by the power of the Holy Spirit. When a person is changed by the power of the Holy Spirit we are saved from the results of our disobeying God.

Every day our minds are filled by the world telling us how to act or react. All of this evil cultural information is in our mind. We have to change from the inside out. This happens through Bible Study, prayer and attending church. We let the Holy Spirit change our minds and actions to be like Jesus.

Southern Baptist missionaries and chaplains are working in the forgotten mission field. Bill Twine has been serving in correctional ministry since 1980. He was a businessman that heard the call to become a chaplain while serving as a volunteer in his local jail.

"One of the great things about serving in correctional ministry is it gives me time to observe the spiritual growth of individuals whom I encountered in the very beginning of their spiritual journey.  One such individual is David whom I first met about twelve years ago when he first came into the penal system. From that first encounter I made sure to include David in our chapel activities. Sometime later I had the privilege to baptize him in our chapel portable baptistery."

Today, David and Melinda have three children and he is serving a Pennsylvania church as Pastor.

Chaplain Twine says that every church should be involved in criminal justice ministries.

"My favorite verse is Hebrews 13: 3. ‘Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.’ 

Becoming involved in correctional ministry can become a stabilizing influence in the lives of prisoners. Those in prison will become our neighbors one day, living in our communities and in our church communities. The Body of Christ meets that need for wholeness and community."

Every prison has opportunities for church groups to minister every week or once a year. "Church members can also become involved with established national prison ministries like Prison Fellowship. Prison Fellowship has many opportunities to serve in different correctional settings, and they also provide volunteer training."  

"Another way a church can become involved is to sponsor an inmate's child for Christmas.  Prison Fellowship offers their "Angel Tree" program and through this ministry a church can provide ministry to the family."  

Correctional facilities particularly need language congregations to help. Contact your local chaplain and volunteer to be involved.

Chaplain Twine asks prayer for your local chaplains. "Prison chaplains need to be regarded as an important part of the local church." Pray for patience and wisdom as they share Christ in often difficult situations.

Conclusion

Don’t forget the criminal justice mission field. Chaplain Twine asks churches to consider ways to help. "Most prison chaplains and chapels have needs like new Bibles, music and sound equipment.  Not all prisons are able to furnish these items." He also suggests that churches "invite a chaplain to share his or her special ministry on a Sunday morning."

You can help change lives through introducing people to Jesus. This will reduce the population of our correctional facilities. More importantly, it will help reduce the population of hell.

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