by Stephanye Gilyard Public Safety Reporter
Published: May 1, 2010
For more than 20 years, J.A.I.L ministries have been changing the world, one life at a time. While most of society has written off people who land in jail, an army of three counselors and one intern in Belton (Texas) don't. Instead, the team carries them a message to save them.
"At one point, I didn't think I could do it," said Executive Director Steve Cannon, who has led the organization since 2003. "Not all people can go into these cells and stare into eyes that have no life - only hurt and anger.
"I know it was God that called me to do this," he said.
J.A.I.L is an acronym for Jesus Acts in Inmates' Lives, a non-profit organization. The faith-based ministry provides Bell County prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families with spiritual, emotional and practical support. It was founded in 1987.
From the website http://www.jailmin.com/:
What is J.A.I.L. Ministry?
Services at Bell County Law Enforcement Center: Individual Bible Studies, Church Services and One-on-One Encouragement held inside the Bell County Law Enforcement Center or Juvenile Service Center and attended by the offenders on a voluntary basis.
Professions of Faith: Those who have indicated by prayer or a “Decision Card” that they have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. (John 14:6)
Rededications: Those who have indicated verbally or by “Decision Card” they have in the past trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and are rededicating their lives to Him.
Baptisms: This total represents those who have prayed to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and have been baptized (immersed) in the J.A.I.L. Ministry Baptis-mal (a horse trough) in the Recreation Area of the Bell County Law Enforce-ment Center, and on the roof of the Bell County Annex.
Bible Study / Church Attendance: Offenders who have attended a J.A.I.L. Ministry Staff and/or Volunteer led Bible Study or Church Service at one or more times in the Bell County Law Enforcement Center or Juvenile Service Center.
Individual Contacts: Represents the contacts made by J.A.I.L. Ministry Staff and Volunteers inside the Bell County Law Enforcement Center. Contacts represent Offenders who have been contacted one or more times.
Correspondence Courses: J.A.I.L. Ministry administers the “Write-Way” Bible correspondence course as requested by Offenders in the Bell County Law Enforcement Center. “Write-Way” is an on going Bible study course. At the completion of each course the Offender will receive a “Completion Certificate” and then begin work on the next course. Over 60 courses are available. The “Write-Way” course may be continued in State Jail, Texas Department of Cor-rections or wherever the Offender may go.
Bibles Distributed: J.A.I.L. Ministry provides the New King James version of the Bible. “Free On The Inside” is a Bible with helps especially written for the incarcerated. There is no charge for an Offender to receive a Bible.
Volunteer Visits: Represents the total number of volunteer visits inside the Juvenile Service Center.
Prayer Requests: Those who have requested prayer as indicated on a “Decision Card” or via the internet at www.jailmin.com and the Bell County Law Enforcement Center website link to J.A.I.L. Ministry.
Project Angel Tree: This Christmas gift program begun by Chuck Colson and Prison Fellowship provides 3 gifts each to Bell County Children of an Offender(s). The program is administered locally and funded by gifts from churches, area businesses and individuals. At least one of the gifts provided has a Chris-tian message. J.A.I.L. Ministry, Inc. also administers a program whereby the Bell County Law Enforcement Center Jailers and Juvenile Service Center Pod-Officers’ children receive gifts at Christmas.
Anger Management: A 6 hour or longer Court Approved course provided by J.A.I.L. Ministry. A certificate is awarded upon completion that is honored by the courts. Men’s Ministry Coordinator, Johner Martin, and Juvenile Service Coordinator, Cheryl Baird, are the Bell County Approved Anger Management Instructors for J.A.I.L. Ministry.
For additional information about this ministry, please contact us at:
J.A.I.L. MINISTRY, INC.
211 E. Central Ave. † P.O. Box 634 † Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 933-8506 † Fax: (254) 933-7569
E-mail: jailmin@vvm.com † Website: www.jailmin.com
You can help us make a difference!
Published: May 1, 2010
For more than 20 years, J.A.I.L ministries have been changing the world, one life at a time. While most of society has written off people who land in jail, an army of three counselors and one intern in Belton (Texas) don't. Instead, the team carries them a message to save them.
"At one point, I didn't think I could do it," said Executive Director Steve Cannon, who has led the organization since 2003. "Not all people can go into these cells and stare into eyes that have no life - only hurt and anger.
"I know it was God that called me to do this," he said.
J.A.I.L is an acronym for Jesus Acts in Inmates' Lives, a non-profit organization. The faith-based ministry provides Bell County prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families with spiritual, emotional and practical support. It was founded in 1987.
From the website http://www.jailmin.com/:
What is J.A.I.L. Ministry?
Services at Bell County Law Enforcement Center: Individual Bible Studies, Church Services and One-on-One Encouragement held inside the Bell County Law Enforcement Center or Juvenile Service Center and attended by the offenders on a voluntary basis.
Professions of Faith: Those who have indicated by prayer or a “Decision Card” that they have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. (John 14:6)
Rededications: Those who have indicated verbally or by “Decision Card” they have in the past trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and are rededicating their lives to Him.
Baptisms: This total represents those who have prayed to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and have been baptized (immersed) in the J.A.I.L. Ministry Baptis-mal (a horse trough) in the Recreation Area of the Bell County Law Enforce-ment Center, and on the roof of the Bell County Annex.
Bible Study / Church Attendance: Offenders who have attended a J.A.I.L. Ministry Staff and/or Volunteer led Bible Study or Church Service at one or more times in the Bell County Law Enforcement Center or Juvenile Service Center.
Individual Contacts: Represents the contacts made by J.A.I.L. Ministry Staff and Volunteers inside the Bell County Law Enforcement Center. Contacts represent Offenders who have been contacted one or more times.
Correspondence Courses: J.A.I.L. Ministry administers the “Write-Way” Bible correspondence course as requested by Offenders in the Bell County Law Enforcement Center. “Write-Way” is an on going Bible study course. At the completion of each course the Offender will receive a “Completion Certificate” and then begin work on the next course. Over 60 courses are available. The “Write-Way” course may be continued in State Jail, Texas Department of Cor-rections or wherever the Offender may go.
Bibles Distributed: J.A.I.L. Ministry provides the New King James version of the Bible. “Free On The Inside” is a Bible with helps especially written for the incarcerated. There is no charge for an Offender to receive a Bible.
Volunteer Visits: Represents the total number of volunteer visits inside the Juvenile Service Center.
Prayer Requests: Those who have requested prayer as indicated on a “Decision Card” or via the internet at www.jailmin.com and the Bell County Law Enforcement Center website link to J.A.I.L. Ministry.
Project Angel Tree: This Christmas gift program begun by Chuck Colson and Prison Fellowship provides 3 gifts each to Bell County Children of an Offender(s). The program is administered locally and funded by gifts from churches, area businesses and individuals. At least one of the gifts provided has a Chris-tian message. J.A.I.L. Ministry, Inc. also administers a program whereby the Bell County Law Enforcement Center Jailers and Juvenile Service Center Pod-Officers’ children receive gifts at Christmas.
Anger Management: A 6 hour or longer Court Approved course provided by J.A.I.L. Ministry. A certificate is awarded upon completion that is honored by the courts. Men’s Ministry Coordinator, Johner Martin, and Juvenile Service Coordinator, Cheryl Baird, are the Bell County Approved Anger Management Instructors for J.A.I.L. Ministry.
For additional information about this ministry, please contact us at:
J.A.I.L. MINISTRY, INC.
211 E. Central Ave. † P.O. Box 634 † Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 933-8506 † Fax: (254) 933-7569
E-mail: jailmin@vvm.com † Website: www.jailmin.com
You can help us make a difference!
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 NIV
No comments:
Post a Comment