13th March Commission Thursday: Behind Bars, Beyond Faith

What drives Christians to minister to those behind bars? This powerful episode of Commission Thursday explores the biblical foundations for prison ministry and challenges every believer to recognize their role in extending Christ's love to the incarcerated.

The call to prison ministry stems from two profound spiritual principles. First, it's an expression of God's love. As 1 John 4:8 reminds us, "whoever does not love does not know God," making our outreach to prisoners a direct reflection of our understanding of God's character. When we visit those in confinement, we bring hope to people who often feel abandoned and forgotten, showing them someone cares.

Equally compelling is Christ's explicit command in Matthew 28:18-20 to "go and make disciples of all nations." This Great Commission doesn't exclude those behind bars—it specifically encompasses everyone. Following the example of Timothy visiting Paul in prison, believers today are called to recognize that discipleship transcends physical barriers and social stigmas. Prison ministry isn't optional; it's a direct fulfillment of Christ's instructions to His followers.

For those wondering how to respond to this call, we outline four practical approaches: personally volunteering with prison ministry teams, donating needed items or financial support, mobilizing others to get involved, or committing to prayer for both inmates and ministers. Each pathway offers meaningful engagement that extends beyond comfort zones and into powerful ministry. Ready to make a difference? Connect with our mission department today using the contact information provided and join us in this transformative work. The question isn't whether we should go—it's how soon can we start?

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Commission Thursday
• 0:13 Why Reach Out to People in Prison?
• 0:49 God's Love as Motivation
• 1:17 The Biblical Command to Go
• 2:16 Ways to Get Involved
• 3:01 Call to Action and Closing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to Commission Thursday, where every believer is a witness of Christ, where every believer is an ambassador of Christ and where every believer is the salt and the light of the world. Have you ever asked yourself why should we go and reach out to people in prison? I'm also asking myself that question. Remember that you are a believer and in your circle maybe you have people like, maybe you have family members, your friends, who are in prison and they need visitation. They need someone to remind them that there is someone for them. And I'm going to share two reasons why it is important for us to go to prison and just to spread the word of God. Number one is that God is love. It's because of love. That's why we are going to prisons and preaching out the gospel.

Speaker 1: 0:57

The Bible says in the book of 5th John, chapter 4, verse 8, it says whoever does not, we are going to prisons. We are extending love to those people. And the second reason is because it is a command. It is a command to every believer to go and reach out to the people in prisons. To go and reach out to the people in prisons. In the book of Matthew, chapter 28, verse 18, it says that then Jivas came unto them and said All authority in heaven on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. The verse clearly says that this is a command. So, as a believer, you don't have an excuse. If you look at the Bible, if you look at the life of Paul, paul was visited with Timothy, paul was visited with Timothy. Also, as believers, we are required to go and visit the people in prison, and maybe you are wondering how do I plug in here at Parklands Baptist?

Speaker 1: 2:16

There are many ways to plug in. You can plug in by availing yourself and just being part of the team. The other way of plugging in is by giving. You can give in kind. Maybe you have clothes, maybe you have soap or you have money. The other way you can mobilize and the fourth one is that you can pray for us, because mission starts at a place of prayer. Therefore, I call you, get out of your comfort zone and let's go and preach the word of God to people in prison. You can get us in the mission department. There is a number that will be displayed here at the screen. Get in touch with us and let's be part of this noble cause. God bless you and have a blessed week.