Beyond the Bars: Prison Ministry Stories of Hope
- Tyler S
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
I was invited by a friend to attend a Beyond the Bars event at Along Side Ministries. She told me about the great work they do in ministering the Good News of Jesus to the incarcerated, and guiding them in life after prison. I was looking forward to going, but didn’t know what to expect.
What is Beyond the Bars?
Simply put, Beyond the Bars is an opportunity for potential volunteers to learn about the purpose of Along Side Ministries and the work they do. If I were to leave the description of Beyond the Bars there, it would do a massive disservice to what the event actually is. It’s a message of hope. Hope that we can put our differences aside. Hope that we can have compassion. Hope that we can build a future that is above the worldly things that weigh us down.
Walking In
As mentioned before, I didn't know what to expect because I had never been involved in a prison ministry before. I can promise you this: when you go to a Beyond the Bars event, you are surrounded by the love of Jesus. When I walked in, I was met with smiles, warm handshakes and a welcoming atmosphere; it reminded me of a Sunday morning at church.
Where Are the Events Held?
Events are held at the Men’s Discipleship Training Center, a small apartment complex where the men in the ministry’s care live after they are released from prison. Calling it a halfway house would be an injustice; it’s a community of Christians doing what we all do, walking through that hard-to-find narrow gate.
What Stood Out
The main event was a presentation given by leaders of Along Side Ministries. The presentation was informational, and it was brought to life by the stories and testimonies of people who had been released from prison and the ministry of their mentors. While I enjoyed every aspect of the presentation, those testimonies are what stood out to me the most. Everyone who spoke did so with passion and purpose, and were on fire for the Lord.
A Moment That Made Me Laugh
To begin the presentation, everyone in attendance was asked to stand and introduce themselves and how they heard about Along Side Ministries. Some would stand and say, “I’m a programmer.” I thought, “Great! I’ve dabbled in programming myself, so I have something in common with them.” As more and more people described themselves as programmers, I wondered why so many IT people were there. So I leaned over and quietly asked my friend, “What’s a programmer?” She said, “People who are going through our program.”
Well, I felt silly, but it made sense to me after that. I was among people whose lives have been changed by Along Side Ministries, and more importantly, their lives were changed by knowing Jesus.
The testimonies from programmers and their mentors were confirmation that the work done at Along Side Ministries truly changes the lives of those who might otherwise be lost with no clear path forward. Truthfully, it was a lot to take in and I was at times overcome with emotion.
When the presentation concluded, visitors were encouraged to mingle and take a tour of one of the apartments if they wanted to. I was curious, so I asked for a tour on our way out.
Meeting Jason
When I stepped into the apartment, I was welcomed by a man named Jason who was happy to show me around. The place was clean and well-furnished, and had all the required amenities.
What I didn’t expect, however, happened when Jason showed me the bedrooms. He turned to me and said, “… and this is my room.” At that moment I realized I wasn’t speaking with an employee or volunteer of Along Side Ministries. I was speaking with someone who is going through their program.
A Prison Ministry Story That Stayed With Me
After seeing a folded American flag in a case on Jason’s nightstand, I asked if he served in the military. He said, “Yes,” then explained to me that he grew very close to the other servicemen in his unit, that there were deep bonds between them, and how he never expected to find that type of kinship outside of the military.
Since living at the Discipleship Training Center, he has found those deep connections and camaraderie that his soul had been crying out for. He found it in the people of Along Side Ministries. He was speaking about everyone there, from workers and volunteers to his fellow programmers. I could understand why; everyone that I spoke with that day treated me like I was part of their family.
“We’re all at different places of the same journey.”
Reflecting on my experience that day, I realize that I have a lot in common with the people that Along Side Ministries is helping. I have never been incarcerated, but I don’t count myself as better than others because of that. I’m still trapped in the prison of my own sin. We’re all at different places of the same journey.
What I Took With Me
I left Beyond the Bars feeling uplifted, refreshed, and fully aware that God is doing great things through Along Side Ministries. If any part of my story has resonated with you, I encourage you to attend a future event and experience these things for yourself. You might walk away with a story of your own.
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