by Chaplain Don Allis

Published by

Chaplain Ray

International Prison Ministry

Box 63 Dallas, Texas 75221

INTRODUCTION

You are interested in establishing a jail ministry but you are at a loss as to how to begin. If this is true in your case, this little booklet may help you.

Recently Chaplain Ray of International Prison Ministry in Dallas wrote to me on another matter, but also had this to say. "Don, it is obvious that you have organized an effective county jail ministry. Every city and county jail needs such a ministry. But it seems to me that most of the folks who do volunteer for it, either do not know how to secure the personnel and funds for it, or are incapable of doing so.

"There is a real need to provide nationwide, In print, a 'HOW TO DO IT’ booklet or brochure. Would you consider writing it if IPM would publish and distribute it?

"We have four thousand jail and prison ministries on our computer file. More than eighty percent write, 'We have no money.' They have no plan to meet the financial needs but to beg from other beggars rather than raising funds from their donors, supporters, locally concerned Christians, etc.."

MY EXPERIENCE

I was in the pastorate 34 years, nearing 60 with a son 12 when the Lord called me into the jail with Christian Chaplain Services based in Los Angeles County Jail. They promised me $600 a month base pay so we put out a fleece to the Lord asking Him to help raise $1.400 a month before I would resign my church. In 45 days, $1,000 faith promise came in but nothing the next 75 days, so I asked the Lord if He really wanted me in this ministry.

The Lord reminded me of a former elder, so I called him for an appointment I met him in his office and explained what we were planning to do and then waited for his reaction. He had a curious smile on his face and said, "Don, we just sold a piece of property for $50,000 and we wondered where to give our tithe. The Lord seemed to tell us to give it to a jail ministry, but we didn't know of any. If it will help, I can give you $400 monthly for a year." Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I realized God had given us to the penny what we had asked for. Since then we have never missed a meal or had a genuine need that God has not met in seven years. Praise the Lord!

ESTABLISHING A JAIL MINISTRY

* Be Sure Of God's Calling:

"Excep t the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it... " Psalm 127:1 No carpenter can effectively use a tool that has a mind of its own, nor can the Lord rebuild lives using us as tools if we are not completely committed to His plan, allowing His will to completely supersede our wills. If God has indeed called you to this ministry, there will be no doubt in your mind that this is the work he wants you to do!

If you are pastoring a church and the Lord has cal led you to a jail ministry, He may allow problems to arise to keep you from being satisfied in your present position. "As an eagle stirs up her nest ... so the Lord does lead them." Deut 32:11,12. When it is time for her chick to fly, she stirs up the nest to bring up sharp objects she has built into her nest to prick the young bird forcing it to learn to fly. This is what the Lord does with us when it is time to leave our present position. I had no doubt that God wanted me to make a change. Be sure that God has called you into this ministry.

Locate A Facility Where There Is A Need:

We tried to get into Orange County Jail. but the ministerium is handling the chaplain's duties on a regular basis so I stayed in Los Angeles. Inquire from local facilities to see if there is an opening. Also contact Chaplain Ray who may know of openings in your area, and contact evangelical pastors in your area to inform them of God's call and your availability.

Our former director was contacted by Chino Institute for Women when he was ready to make a change. Notice that God prompted CIW to call him, so we may need to wait on the Lord for direction. Prison chaplains are paid by state or federal gove rnment so they don't need to raise support. But prisons have a real need for evangelical chaplains.

Implementing A Plan To Raise Support:

When I investigated CCS, I liked what I saw and asked Lee Settgast when I could start "Just as soon as you raise your support," was his reply. The rest was up to me and I had no idea how to start

I had served 4 churches in Southern California, so I began writing letters to churches and individuals I had worked with and followed up with visits. Today, seven years later, we have lost very few donors and, more important, prayer partners informed about our ministry.

* Building A Prayer Base:

Armin Geswine years ago said in a prayer conference, "Not everything is done by prayer, But nothing is done before prayer!" You may be able to raise money, but if you don't have a broad covering of prayer support you will not succeed. Develop strong prayer support from family, friends and donors. The Scriptures tell us that a person's heart will follow his giving. Develop a long list of donor prayer warriors who will pray for you daily, and God will bless your ministry. Many of our problems in this ministry have been solved because these dear people in this ministry are praying for us DAILY!

* Contact Churches Willing To Commit For Service:

It has been our experience that many churches are eager to have a jail team, but have a higher priority on their own activities than their commitment to hold services assigned to them. No jail commander will tolerate churches who are unfaithful to their commitment. This forces you to find a new team to take their place in rotation and train property.

Care should be taken to contact churches where salvation by grace through faith is taught as the only means to eternal life. Denominational doctrines which clash with simple Gospel truth tend to confuse. God is orderly, not confusing. Keep a loving but firm control of teams to avoid trouble.

* Raising Support For Literature:

Many churches are willing to become involved in a jail ministry if they are not asked to go inside to conduct services or visit inmates. No jail ministry is financially able to supply local ministries with Bibles and literature. Therefore it is imperative that you urge local churches to place you on their annual budget for funds to purchase supplies.

Another good source for funds to purchase literature is the county in which you work if you are a full-time volunteer. Speak frankly with your Captain, Deputy Chief, or Sheriff and remind him that you are saving the county budget $25,000 each year that it would cost the county to hire a person full-time.

I know of a county where the staff went outside the budget and raised funds to purchase supplies for the chaplain. Money is available, but you must go out and look for it.

If I can be of further help to you, please call me at (714) 671-2170, at your own expense of course, and ask for Chaplain Don Allis.

You can write me at:

CENTRAL DETENTION CENTER 630 East Rialto Ave.

San Bernardino, CA 92408

No single prison or jail ministry can raise enough money to provide all the materials that are needed by 4,000 Jail E Prison Ministries in America.

BUT, every ministry that is called and ordained of God can raise some funds for Bibles, Study Books, Greeting Cards and other inspirational materials for prisoners.

AND, through these materials that are distributed by Acclaimed Books, your ministry can receive "Matching Funds'" that are supplied by the International Prison Ministry.