prison ministry.
Dangerous prayers will change your life. Don’t ever ask God to use you if you aren’t really serious.
After finally relenting and saying yes to God’s call to ministry, I knew just one thing. I was supposed to serve women. But what women? Well, after a random drive down Highway 36 in Gatesville and almost three years of prayer, God opened the door – or should I say, the gate – to serve the women He had in mind for me… the women in white… the women behind the prison fences.
I began prison ministry teaching in the Faith-Based Dorm, but fast forward seven years and I am still going behind the fences weekly to share the love of Jesus and to help women be prepared for reentry. I am now serving in the STRIVE program which focuses on helping women overcome the trauma that sent them to prison while gaining career readiness skills. In STRIVE, the women learn how to apply and interview for a job, and then they participate in an actual job fair. The goal is for every single one of them to leave prison with a job. We also want them to leave with five outfits of clothing, so your help is needed!
Here are some ways you can love a little louder:
- HUGE NEED for new panties, bras, and socks: For panties, I typically buy the 6-pack of Hanes bikinis or hipsters, and we need sizes 6-12. Y’all know it’s awful to shop for bras, so I typically buy the Hanes bras that come in sizes S-XL. The girls tell me these work great because they often don’t know what actual size they wear anyway. For socks, here are some options: no-show and low-cut. Socks can be white or colored. { Note: These links are to examples on Amazon, but you can also get similar items at Walmart and Target. }
- Duffle Bags: We send each girl home with her clothing in a duffle bag. I’ve been ordering these bags in bulk to get a better price. Each bag costs $13.08, so financial donations to help cover the costs are greatly needed.
- Gently worn, like-new business-casual and business-dress clothing and shoes: Think slacks, light jackets, cardigans, blouses, ballet flats, low-heeled pumps, etc. Gently worn, like-new casual clothing and shoes: Think jeans and capris, plus cute blouses and tops. No t-shirts, please. { Note: All clothing should be clean and pressed. It is great if the clothing is already on hangars. }
- Purses: Now I know a purse is not a necessity, but gently worn, fashionable purses would be an awesome treat for these girls when they go home.
Donations: If it’s easier/faster for you to donate money, you can make donations:
First Baptist Crawford
P. O. Box 30
Crawford, Texas 76638
Please note “PRISON MINISTRY” in the memo of your check. Every single dollar donated supports these girls, and all financial contributions are tax-deductible.
Can you LOVE A LITTLE LOUDER?
If you can help, please let me know via email. If you have my cell number, you can also text me, but y’all know I can’t put my cell phone number here for the whole world to see.
And finally, I know this is a BIG ask, so I want to say an even BIGGER THANKS! Asking is never easy for me, but I won’t get to see the miracle of God’s provision if I don’t position myself to need one!