Many men and women who enter the prison system enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ while in the County Jail. In fact, most will tell you this was the lowest time in their life; a time they began searching for answers to what life is all about. They know they have hurt and disappointed many family members and friends. They have lied, cheated, stolen, used drugs and what has it gained them? Jail is a pit of despair.

It is not uncommon for a man or woman to report they found a Bible in their cell and began to read it, searching for answers to life's dilemmas. They pick it up, start reading and they begin to see themselves portrayed in the scriptures; usually as a sinner without hope. But then through inmate Bible studies or through jail ministry volunteers, they hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ that sets them free. Jail house religion? Hardly! For some, the message doesn't take root, but for many, a real and lasting experience is found and never lost.

David

"A jail volunteer by the name of Bob helped me come to know Christ as my personal Savior while I was in Durango jail." David Galaviz, Assistant Director of the Discipleship Training Center.

Jake has been in prison ministry for the past 12 years. But the real joy of ministry came when he started going to the county jails to do one-on-one visits with anyone who wanted spiritual guidance. It was through these visits Jake experienced his God-given gift; the gift of evangelism. Jake quit counting, long ago, the number of individuals that prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. However, he knows he has personally led over 200 individuals to an understanding of what it means to have eternal life with Christ.

Through ASM volunteers, over 600 incarcerated men and women accepted Christ into their lives in the past year!

When Jake saw how great the need was for spiritual awareness in the jail system he began to pray to the Lord for workers. There are approximately 10,000 inmates in the 6 Maricopa County jails alone. He began to developa vision for a minimum of 36 trained volunteers to go in to minister to those in need. To date he has recruited 19 volunteers to fill this need. If enough volunteers were available to adequately disciple the new believers, well over 200 volunteers would be needed! He continues his search for anyone who will go to the jails with him. The jail ministry team led over 600 men and women into a personal relationship with the savior in the past year….

Unfortunately, Jake is in poor health. He suffers from heart problems and is undergoing tests for cancer. But he has not let these difficulties keep him from going to the jails. In fact, his best days have started out as his worst days physically but have ended up with excitement that cuts through the pain…More people come to know Christ.

Please pray for Jake as he steps down as the leader of this vital ministry. Jake will continue go to jail as long as he is able to take a breath and is able to walk.

We are looking for new volunteers to assist in the Jail Ministry.  If you are interested in working with the Jails or assisting in overseeing the program, please give us a call at (602) 995-9484.
 

SCOTT

"I was searching for answers to my problems. A Christian jail inmate invited me to an inmate led Bible study at Durango Jail. While I was in that study I prayed to receive Christ." Scott Cole, former resident of the Discipleship Training Center

Here is the team of people who have answered God's call to 'visit the prisoner' in the county jails. The men work with male inmates and the women work with female inmates in 'JOE'S JAILS'. Incidentally, there are approximately 1,600 women housed in the Maricopa County Jails. So, there is a lot of work needed in meeting the spiritual needs of these women.

This group has been trained to use materials from Evangelism Explosion, coupled with The First Five Commandments and materials written by Ray Comfort. Through this training, the approach to ministering to the heart of the men and women has become very effective. Most of these volunteers do one-on-one visits to inmates that have requested spiritual guidance. It is not uncommon for these volunteers to spend all day in the jails. Some spend several days a week at the jails. 'Thank you' to all of our committed and faithful volunteers, for your time and efforts to minister to the incarcerated community.

Jail Ministry Training

ROLLIN

"Every Wednesday volunteers came to Madison Street Jail to lead Bible Studies. It was in one of these studies I prayed to receive Christ." Rollin Williams, former resident of the Discipleship Training Center

 

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