LITERATURE-DISTRIBUTION MINISTRY We are very grateful that the authorities in the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Stateville Correctional Center give us this opportunity to put our faith to work. In the often hardened, calloused hearts of inmates, one of the things God can & will use to “soften” hearts is the witness of a caring Christian. We get to fill that role by taking the inmates literature, just to display to them that we care. And they’re not all hardened & calloused! Some are tender & scared. It’s my prayer that as you look into the eyes of the inmates, you will appreciate Matthew 9:36-38. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. While we’re displaying ourselves as caring Christians, we’re actually “killing two birds with one stone,” for our purpose is to get inmates into the WORD OF GOD.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17

Many inmates are already interested in Christianity, and many simply are not. For those already interested, we want to supply them with Bible materials that will build them up in the faith. For those not interested, we want to supply them with materials that possibly God will use to “soften” their hearts and draw them to Himself. Some things we need to know: We’re going into the prison as “foreign missionaries.” We are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST! Our first contact will be with the Correctional Officers. These men and women are “ordained of God” and “ministers of God.” (Romans 13:1,4) They are our “partners-inministry!” Now, they may or may not be believers, and if they’re not, they’re probably not aware that they’re our partners. Believers or not, they are in authority over us, and it’s our duty and privilege to pray for, submit to, and respect them.

If they’re not believers, they are part of our “mission field.” They are not just obstacles between us and the inmates. Correctional Officers, in general, are skeptical of “religious” volunteers. So, we won’t go out of our way to evangelize them outside of a relationship with them, but we will do our best to display a positive Christian witness, and not leave a “stumbling block” for Christ’s ambassador who does have a relationship with them.

DON’T GIVE ANYTHING! DON’T TAKE ANYTHING! DON’T PROMISE ANYTHING!

Now, obviously we’re there to give literature. DON’T GIVE ANYTHING other than that. Please don’t give pencils, pens, calendars, or anything other than the literature that’s been approved. As those under authority, we must OBEY ALL RULES!!!! When an officer instructs you to do something, please don’t question him/her. Please obey without hesitation. Please, if you’re not sure whether or not you’re permitted to do something, don’t just do it. PLEASE ASK ME or as a Correctional Officer.

SOME DO’S & DON’TS:

Notes: 1.

DO: a.

b. c.

d. e. f. g. DON’T: a.

b c. d. e.

f. g.

Be respectful, sincere, courteous, and friendly. Take your time – don’t rush off. Be prayful! Pray for the inmate, for wisdom, for the right words. Be patient. Err on the side of grace. Smile! LIFT UP CHRIST! Make promises – including promising to keep information confidential. “Talk down” to them. Deliver messages. Give legal advice. Give your personal information - phone, address, etc. Ask about their crime. Put down other groups or teach “denominational distinctives.

2.

If you’d write me a paragraph or so about your experience as a Literature-Distributor, I’d sure be grateful! If you have suggestions for me on how I could make this a better experience for you, I’d welcome your input! If you’d like to do this again, I want to hear from you! You can receive a Gate-Pass once every three months, and I’d like get you signed up and ready to return.

PLEASE, Before you talk to men about God,

BASIC TRAINING FOR

IN PRISON

talk to God about men! “Pray Continually”

(1 Thess. 5:17)

Chaplain Tom Beatty email: [email protected] 331-465-4018 (cell)

New Life Corrections Ministry A Division of Wayside Cross Ministries 215 East New York Street Aurora IL 60505 630-723-3406