On a September Sabbath morning, Cassie Stokes joined other prison ministries volunteers at the Rockville (Indiana) Women's Prison. After being searched for contraband, Cassie proceeded with the group to a check-in gate. Although it was her eighth prison ministry outreach, Cassie said, "When you walk into a prison there is always a bit of uneasiness. The clanging of the doors behind me sends shivers down my spine."

As Cassie entered the assembly room and greeted inmates, her uneasiness seemed to dissipate. Meeting inmates is one of Cassie's favorite parts of outreach. She said, "They've been told in advance that we are coming, and they are excited. As they file in, I like to shake everyone's hand and give them a big smile to make them feel welcome."

The volunteers and inmates sang hymns together, and messages of hope and encouragement were shared by several. Cassie spoke, too. She was only 19 the first time Lemuel Vega, the Christmas Behind Bars prison ministries coordinator, asked her to talk to a group of young male inmates (two of whom Cassie knew "quite well" in elementary school). Cassie prayed, and then stepped forward to tell them why she believes in God and of her struggles and desire to become closer to Him. She remembers, "I could tell by looking into just a few eyes that they had actually heard me. It was amazing. From that moment on, I wanted to tell everyone about Jesus, and my relationship grew."

At another prison, Cassie met a 16-year-old girl who kept hopelessly telling Cassie that God could never forgive her because she had done so many horrible things. Cassie said, "I looked into the eyes of a child, crying because she wanted something that she thought she could never have. I put my arm around her and told her that Jesus came and died on the cross for that very reason—because we are sinful people—but He loves us just the same. I saw the hope in her eyes."

Cassie identifies in a personal way with the inmates she ministers to. "I've had family go through the system, so I know what it's like to be the family member on the outside. ... I [also] identify with the fact that we are all prisoners of sin. We all needed Jesus to die on the cross for us."

At the Rockville prison, Cassie helped pass out Christian books and gift bags with items such as snacks and toiletries. Christmas Behind Bars volunteers assembled and distributed approximately 15,000 gift bags in Indiana in the past year.

Cassie encourages others to become involved in prison ministries. She says, "The experience will change your life. It changes mine every time I go. I always receive a blessing. ... You may not know that you changed someone's life that day, or you may never find out while you're here on Earth, but how great will it be to see just one of those faces in Heaven!"

Diane Thurber is the assistant communication director for the Lake Union Conference.

To learn more about the Christmas Behind Bars prison ministries program, read the online version of this issue at www.lakeunionherald.org.

Christmas Behind Bars

Background

Christmas Behind Bars is a lay-led prison ministries initiative, serving prisons in Indiana, Michigan, and soon in Minnesota. In Indiana, inmates in prisons or jails in 28 counties have been reached for Jesus. The ministry was founded by Lemuel Vega, a former convict, who was released from the Pendleton Correction Facility in 1984. Vega remembers a group of carolers who came into the prison to hand out snacks and religious materials. That experience caused him to rethink the direction of his life.

In 1998, Vega decided to make it his personal mission to impact the lives of other prisoners in a similar way, and he is beginning to make a difference. At the Rockville prison Cassie Stokes visited, some inmates were repeat offenders. They had encountered Vega in other prisons and seemed pleased to see him again. Vega believes the holiday season provides the best chance to make a meaningful connection with inmates and facilitate changes of behavior that have lasting effects. While not all of the gift bags assimilated for distribution can be handed out during the holidays, Vega has a systematic approach each year.

While many of the volunteers who help Vega are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indiana, members of others denominations also participate. Vega attends the Marion Seventh-day Adventist Church, but through donations from family and friends the ministry remains nondenominational. Through this ministry, Vega says, "We are seeking to share with the inmates, whose lives have been shattered and filled with hopelessness, the hope, love, joy, and forgiveness that Jesus Christ offers to all." He tells inmates that if they are willing to try, He is certainly able to help. Vega believes the Lord continues to open doors so he and his volunteers may reach many for Him. He also has seen evidence that God has gone before the groups to touch the hearts and minds of the inmates so they can hear of Jesus' love.

Ultimately, Vega envisions a prison ministry in each Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indiana. Contact him at the number provided below to learn how to start a Christmas Behind Bars ministry in your church.

Gift Bags

In addition to the messages of hope and encouragement that Vega and the volunteers share with the inmates, they also provide evidence of love and care in tangible ways. The inmates are provided with Christian resources to select for reading in their cells, and are presented with gift bags. A typical gift bag will include:

1 Bible

Photos

2 Apples

1 Orange

1 Banana

Peanuts

3 Candy Bars

3 Snack Bags

1 Bar of Soap

1 Washcloth

1 Tube of Toothpaste

1 Toothbrush

2 Cups of Soup

1 Hot Cocoa Packet

Lifesavers or assorted hard candy

1 Letter of Encouragement

Invitation for Bible Studies

Notes of Appreciation

Letters like these are received frequently. They express the sincere gratitude of those who witness the Christmas Behind Bars ministry.

January 2, 2007

On behalf of the offenders and staff of Pendleton Correctional facility, I wish to thank you and your organization for the gift bags you recently provided for distribution to the offenders of our facility. As you know, this will be the only Christmas gift that many of them will receive this year.

Organizations like Christmas Behind Bars are fine examples of community invovlement that we would like to encourage between the Department of Correction and other community groups.

We wish you and your organization a wonderful new year!

Stanley Knight, Superintendent, Pendleton Correctional Facility

December 19, 2006

My Dear Brothers and Sisters

God is good, isn't He? With my deepest thanks I'd like to thank each and every one of you who made it possible for god to reach out and touch those of us who have broken man's law.

In the 15 years I've been doing time, I've never been shown the kindness that your organization has given me this year at Christmastime. Than you so much for your much-needed kindness.

God bless each and every one of you.

Your brother,

Mike, Pendleton Correctional Facility

December 23, 2006

I am 34 years of age and this is my first Christmas away from family. I thought it would be the worst. I just needed to tell you that you made a difference. You touched me, and I will never forget you. So from the bottom of my heart "Thank you, God bless you, and have a very, very MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Chris, LaPorte County Jail

You Can Help

You, too, can be a part of this outreach ministry in one of the following ways:

1. Donate items for the gift bags and Christian resources and Bibles

2. Help deliver gift bags

3. Be part of a singing group or share your testimony

4. Donate financially

Contact Lemuel Vega at the phone number below to find out current needs and upcoming prison visits scheduled.

Additional Information

For additional information, contact Lemuel or Donna Vega at 888-536-8342 (toll free) or 888-201-2751 (fax).