The Cause
Mission Statement
The Prison and Jail Ministry Committee of the Indiana United Methodist Conference Will resource, network, and encourage local united Methodist churches, church clusters, district groups, and individuals to promote ministries in every county jail in Indiana and in the state run correctional facilities, and to facilitate re-entry of ex-offenders into our communities. Belief Statement In Matthew 25 Jesus calls us, his followers, to go into the prisons and jails and promises that He will be there with us, that when we are serving people in prisons we are serving Jesus himself. Matthew 25 also directs our actions when ex-offenders re-enter the community. We believe in promoting just ways to keep people, especially young people, out of the criminal justice system and equipping groups and group homes to do this. Important Scriptures Hebrews 13:3 “3 Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place.” Matthew 25: 35-40 35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” 36 “I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?” 38 “And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?” 39 “And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 “And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” |