Guidelines for Prison Ministry Projects and Donations

/in

Individuals and groups can do much to support our sharing of Jesus with people impacted by incarceration. The resources found here give guidelines for ways to support and provide materials for this gospel outreach.

Resource Descriptions

  • Prison Mission Projects –WELS Prison Ministry operates because God’s people pray for us, volunteer their time, and give generously from their worldly treasure. Only 10 percent of our funding is provided from the WELS regular budget. Follow these guidelines to support the spread of God’s Word to hurting souls as an individual or a group.
  • Guidelines for Meditation donations – WELS Prison ministry redistributes gently used (less than one year old) Mediations, Time of Grace, and other devotional booklets. Please follow these guidelines.
  • Guidelines for cards, artwork, school projects. Inmates LOVE receiving encouragement from their younger brothers and sisters in Christ. Many have been abandoned by their families and have little if any contact with anyone, let alone children. These guidelines lay out ways anyone, including children, can share the love of Jesus.

Prison Ministry – Supplemental Printed Resources

/in

In addition to our correspondence course material, WELS Prison Ministry offers a variety of additional resources that we offer free of charge to inmates and chaplains. Descriptions can be found in the document list below. Download sample portions of the documents from the package using the links below. Order copies of the supplemental material using the order form below.

Resource Descriptions

  • Scripture passages and prayer –Bible verses and prayers arranged by topics that apply to people affected by incarceration and other life crises. The downloadable sample is the chapter on forgiveness.
  • Facing Freedom – A wealth of spiritual and practical reminders and encouragement for soon to be released or released inmates. The downloadable sample is the chapter on decision making.
  • New Testament in Everyday American English. This translation of the original Greek text into everyday American English has been very popular among inmates and chaplains. The downloadable sample is John Chapter 3.
  • Water of Life Printed Bible Studies – A series of 30 Bible studies (6 modules of 5 lessons each) intended for recently released inmates (either individually or as a group) with a mentor or spiritually mature leader. Includes both participant sheets and leader guides printed together in a spiral bound notebook. Samples are available in the Ministry to the Released section.
  • La Promesa – A Summary of God’s Plan of Salvation in Spanish. The downloadable sample is “La Promesa – Tú tienes la paz” (The Promise – You Have Peace).

Use the order form to order printed copies of the Bible courses and other resources.

Order Form

 

Prison Ministry – Newsletters

/in

Learn more about Prison Ministry work and how it is making a difference in the lives of inmates.

Prison Ministry – Printed Material Order Form

/in

A complete list of Bible Teaching Series Bible studies and resources can be found on the order form below.  All of the Bible studies were designed for use in jails and prisons.  They require no instructor; a student can complete a course working independently.  At the end of each Bible study is a test that can be mailed to WELS Prison Ministry.  Volunteers will go over the test and give the prisoner feedback on his answers, and WELS Prison Ministry will send the next course in the series.

Bible study samples are available for preview here.

For more information, contact Prison Ministries.

WELS PRISON MINISTRY
PO Box 452
New Ulm, MN 56073
[email protected]
Telephone: 507-354-3130
Fax: 507-354-3219

Love in Action

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WELS Special Ministries
Showing God’s love to those with special needs or in special circumstances

In these pages, you’ll learn about the eight areas of WELS Special Ministries:

  • Visually Impaired
  • Care for Called Workers
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Mental Health
  • Health and Wellness
  • Prison Ministry
  • Military Services

Funding for the programs you’ll learn about in these pages comes from people like you, who have a heart to share Christ’s love with those who may face hurdles in worship and in life. Our special ministries are primarily supported by special offerings from individuals and groups.

 

To order FREE copies of the Love in Action booklet, e-mail WELS Special Ministries at [email protected].

The Bread of Life – Selected Bible Stories

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – Women of the Bible

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – The Ten Commandments

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – The Sermon on the Mount

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – Selected Psalms

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – People of the Bible

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – Parables

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – Life Skills

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – Prayer

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – The Christian Church Year

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

The Bread of Life – The Christian Life

/in

The following studies are from the Bread of Life Bible Studies series, which was created by WELS Prison Ministries. More studies from the Bread of Life series, along with background information, are available. Learn more.

 

Prison Ministry Self-Study Courses

/in

A complete list of Prison Ministry Self-Study Bible Correspondence Course descriptions can be found in the document list below. All of the Bible courses were designed for use in jails and prisons. They require no instructor; a student can complete a course working independently. At the end of each Bible course is a test that can be mailed to WELS Prison Ministry. Volunteers will go over the test and give the prisoner feedback on his answers, and WELS Prison Ministry will send the next course in the series.

The Bible courses are published in two levels: Level 1 Bible course booklets will be mailed for at no charge to any prisoner or inmate and are available without charge to prison chaplains. Level 2 books are only distributed directly to inmates, though chaplains and others may order single copies for review and personal ministry uses. Order copies of the Bible course booklets or books. Find the order form here.

Sample portions of Level 1 courses—Dealing with Depression and Anxiety, The Death and Rising of Jesus Christ, Overcoming the Guilt of Sin, and Jesus is Lord, Addiction is Not—can be downloaded to give you an idea of the format of these books. We have included a sample portion of the Level 2 course The Lord Cares for Me—a study of Psalm 23 taught in narrative style. All samples are copyright by WELS Special Ministries and may not be published or sold without the expressed, written permission of WELS Special Ministries.

The Self-Study Bible Correspondence Courses were designed for use in jails and prisons; however, you will discover that with a few adaptations, they may also be used in other situations. Churches or individuals interested in purchasing Level 1 or Level 2 booklets for use outside of correctional facilities may purchase them from Northwestern Publishing House’s Bible Teaching Series.

Looking for more Bible study options with inmates? Try the downloadable Bread of Life Bible Studies.

For more information, contact Prison Ministries.

WELS PRISON MINISTRY
PO Box 452
New Ulm, MN 56073
[email protected]

Telephone: 507-354-3130

Use the order form to order printed copies of the Bible courses and other resources.

Order Form

 

Ministry to the Released

/in ,

When someone who was incarcerated returns to the community, it’s hard to overcome the many challenges of starting over. Prison Ministry has created a training course, “Mentoring a Returning Citizen” which provides excellent information and guidance for church members who have a desire to help someone rebuild their life after they’ve been set free.

Below are resources to assist in ministering to those released from prison. More resources, including Recovery Bible studies and a life skills course called “Facing Freedom,” can be found on the Institutional Ministries (IM) website.

Guidelines for Dealing with Sexual Offenders – These guidelines give thoughtful guidance for congregations who want to keep members safe, obey the laws and rules that govern probation, and minister with Word and Sacrament to people convicted of sexual offenses.

Water of Life – View the list of modules and lessons, as well as two sample teacher guides and student lessons from the Water of Life Bible study.

Prison Ministry Brochures

/in

This package contains brochures that can be used to promote various aspects of Prison Ministry.  The general brochure gives people an overview of the ministry. The training brochure describes how laypeople or called workers can be prepared for ministry either to the currently or formerly incarcerated. Some laypeople or called workers may wish to explore the chaplain certification program through Martin Luther College, which provides more in depth training for ministry ion jails, prisons, and other settings.