Very happy Christmas to you!
Despite the many struggles we continue to go through, I am thankful we are children of the King! He is walking this road with us and our hope is that He who has started a good work within us, will see it through to completion.
Forward we go!
Many blessings
Hugh
This book offers an overview of the management of religious diversity in prisons. The chapters combine both legal and sociological approaches. Coverage for each country includes historical background, current penitentiary organization, and recent changes or trends. In their exploration of legal aspects, the contributors look at such factors as the status of prison chaplains and regulations concerning religious practice and religious freedom. The sociological analysis examines religious discrimination in prison, church-prison relations, conversion and proselytism, and more.
The book offers readers a better understanding of governance of religion in prisons.
Rebranding of Children of Prisoners program (CPP)
In 2013 PFI launched the Children of Prisoners Program (CPP), one of our three signature programs. Since its inception, nearly 10,000 children in nine countries have been served through CPP, with 5,500 children currently enrolled and receiving services.
23 Nov 2020
Peter Woolf was a prolific offender, ensconced in a world of violence and depravity, who, by his own reckoning committed about 20,000 crimes. Then he burgled a house, fought with his victim and ended up in prison yet again. This time though it was different. Peter met with his victim, Will, in a restorative justice session that took place in the prison. The meeting changed both their lives for ever.
Congratulations to all the Prison Fellowship Czech Republic team!
To celebrate your tenth anniversary is a tremendous achievement especially when reflecting on all that has gone before. It has been a journey of tenacity, endurance and persistence and is an occasion to remember how when a group of people dedicated to God's service, that great things are achieved. For us at Prison Fellowship International, it is always a tremendous encouragement hearing about the lives of prisoners and their children being touched and transformed by the love of Jesus. It is also a privilege to be supporting your ministry to grow across the nation. As you take this time to pause, reflect, praise and pray may you be launched with renewed hope and blessing.
19 November 2020
Visit to Anchor Foundation in Sweden
10 - 12 November 2020
It was great to be able to get at least one more visit in before the end of this extraordinary year - this was my first since leaving Spain under the cloud of COVID back in March!
The Anchor Foundation have been long term supporters of PF Colombia and are now wanting to start a home grown prison ministry in Sweden. If all goes according to plan, Sweden will shortly be a new member of the PFI family.
From left to right: Per-Olof Allerth, Katarina Mossberg, Anders Berggren, Thomas Totte Lundgren, Hugh Greathead
When I was first asked to work in prison, I instinctively wanted to refuse. Whenever I had been naughty as a child, my mother would say to me, “you’ll end up in prison!” and I had no desire to prove her right. I also thought that prison was full of bad (maybe even evil) people. I had never seen my common humanity with those who we keep inside the fences and walls of our prisons. I will never forget my first conversation with a young prisoner, his grandmother had died and he was devastated by that loss. She had been a constant support to him throughout his life when his parents, friends, schools and society had let him down. In that moment I saw a hurting human being, not a monster who had done something evil. In that moment, I saw a child of God, created in the image of God.
The Rev Calum Crombie is Managing Chaplain at HMP Wymott.
PF Israel / House of Grace
After six months of no contact with The prisoners in all the country the prison authorities allowed us to send a special message and pray by video to our prisoners Thanks God for this opportunity
28 Oct 2020
Welcome to David Buick!
CEO and President Andrew Corley shares three core truths about "Shalom" and why it's important to PFI.
Check it out
(To translate: open site in Chrome browser. Right click and select to translate to your chosen language)
Substitute the word “pandemic” for “war” and this is right on the button
“War makes death real to us, and that would have been regarded as one of its blessings by most of the great Christians of the past. They thought it was good for us to be always aware of our mortality. I am inclined to think they were right. All the animal life in us, all schemes of happiness that centered in this world, were always doomed to a final frustration. In ordinary times only a wise man can realize it. Now the stupidest of us knows. We see unmistakably the sort of universe in which we have all along been living, and must come to terms with it. If we had foolish un-Christian hopes about human culture, they are now shattered. If we thought we were building up a heaven on earth, if we looked for something that would turn the present world from a place of pilgrimage into a permanent city satisfying the soul of man, we are disillusioned, and not a moment too soon. But if we thought that for some souls, and at some times the life of learning, humbly offered to God, was, in its own small way, one of the appointed approaches to the Divine reality and the Divine beauty which we hope to enjoy here-after, we can think so still.”
An excerpt from “Learning in War-Time,” which appeared in The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses by C.S. Lewis
CORONA means this for many prisoners:
23 hours locked up
1 hour as follows:
5 minutes to collect lunch
5 minutes to collect supper
10 minutes to make a phone call
10 minutes to have a shower
30 minutes outside on the yard
We need miracles!
(To translate the site open it in Chrome and right click on the homepage.)
ALSO! PF Hungary has been able to connect with some prisoner groups over Skype to help them continue their ministry during lockdown.
A wonderful video of hope!
Great quality
Great for sharing!!!!!!!!!!
"Our strategy and plans should therefore also become our prayers."
"I am pleased to tell you, that after much intercession and discussion, one of the answers to our prayers is Prayer Line. This brand new service allows anyone in prison to call a free number and leave a confidential message with their personal prayer request. Our team of volunteers then commits to pray for each person who calls on that day and during the following month."
On my announcement day as Bishop of Gloucester, I visited HMP Eastwood Park—a women’s prison— because I wanted to say something about becoming a bishop not being about the “good and the great”. My great passion is that we are all equal, we are all called by God by name, we are all different, and we all have a different role to play.
PF Northern Ireland profiles this in their latest newsletter
NEW!
Check out our new format for looking up member web & social media sites!
Coming your way soon!
Hans Barendrecht who many of us know as a friend, mentor and Executive Director of PF Netherlands, has written a masterful book outlining pivotal events which resulted in the growth of an innovative and highly reputable prison ministry.
For National Ministries aspiring to grow and have increasing impact, this book will be an inspiration as well as giving a perspective on what it takes to succeed. It provides a fascinating view on how the meeting of minds through an intricate and growing network of friends and people of influence has resulted in a truly special ministry which God has used to change many thousands of lives.
I found it to be a very engaging read which I will refer to for many years to come.
This book is a treasure which encapsulates 25 years of experience!
House of Grace (PF Israel)
PF Israel is doing remarkable work in very difficult circumstances. In the last year, House of Grace helped 33 released prisoners to be rehabilitated through their residential program. It is the only such facility for Arab prisoners in the country. Read more
Esther Klaassen shares how she and her colleagues chose to see the "God-possibilities" and opportunities as their circumstances and work changed in Albania.
During this unprecedented time globally, Prison Fellowship International has been exploring new ways to serve the association. We are now excited to introduce a series of live online trainings specifically for PF National Ministries, to take place between June and August 2020.
Themes to choose from: Leadership principles; Scenario planning; Major gift fundraising; Digital communications; Adaptive leadership; Governance; Mentoring & coaching
"Although the activities of prison programs are affected by the pandemic, with the help of our 280 volunteers, we continue to support both detainees and their families (78% women and children), providing them with food and personal hygiene products. Our volunteers are also close to the families of the detainees, offering them counselling in order to cope with these times."
HOW TO JOIN: The event will be broadcast live on PFI's Facebook or YouTube
Participants will view event live and interact through the comments sections. We encourage you to be active in the chat! Share prayers, praise and requests. Use the hashtags #pfidayofprayer and #strengthandsong
Be prepared for a collective scripture reading of the Song of Miriam in Exodus 15:1-21
Amidst COVID-19, PF Czech Republic is working even more than before.
Letter Link
At this time, when all social visits have stopped, our letter writing ministry, Letter Link, is more important than ever. We are working with Chaplaincies to see how we can expand this programme, and are offering online training to current volunteers.
Chaplaincy support
Through Chaplaincy Support, PF Volunteer Chaplains, with faith accreditation continue to support the provision of pastoral care in prison chaplaincy. We are also in touch with Managing Chaplains across England and Wales, to see how we can best support them remotely while volunteers are unable to go into prison. They value our continued prayers for their work.
With the help of Prison Education Staff all men received a copy of our chaplains’ letter for the inmates. They use this for discussion groups. Juveniles used the letter from their youth chaplain and celebrated Easter together; Last week in Durres prison two man have decided to follow Jesus. Many more stories came back to us.
One prisoner wrote: ‘In a time where everything was cut off, family visits, airtime, free time, your letters kept coming with words of Hope from God. Thank you for valuing us’.
See also their Annual Report
PF Portugal/ CONFIAR using CORONA as an opportunity to advocate for prison reform
The Prisoners Journey - Quote from inmate in BULGARIA
“I always knew who Jesus is, but never met Him the way I did it in TPJ. I think I have the same love for Jesus as Mark did, but on the same age as him I managed to be in prison, and he managed to write a Gospel. If I can put to comparison my love for Jesus Christ with Mark’s love for Him, obviously I can’t put to comparison my life with Mark’s life, but I believe that Jesus loves me as well as He loves Mark. This journey reminded me that Jesus Christ loves everybody, even me! So, I am not lost but I will see the Lord one day.” – Valentin, 66 years old.
PF CZ Newsletter_BK.pdf
Welcome to PF France
(A Coeur Ouvert)
The PFI Board has recently welcomed A Coeur Ouvert into the PF family. At the same time, New Zealand, Myanmar and Curacao were also chartered. This brings the total international membership to 116 countries.
PF England & Wales posting prayers by APP
Maybe you could do the same - it's free!
Use this link on your phone to subscribe to our feed in your PrayerMate app. Alternatively, in your app click the "Add" button, choose the "Wider Society" category and you will find Prison Fellowship there.
The Prisoners Journey - Quote from inmate in BULGARIA
“Never heard of Jesus so far. Obviously, some guys – evil servants - did a lot of efforts to hide the story of Jesus from me and from so many other people for so many years and ages. When I was invited to TPJ to find out who Jesus is I thought to myself - there maybe is something very precious and very important in this story, some hidden tricks or knowledge, or something that can help people to became powerful and rich, that’s why they hide it. Now, after the course, I realize that there is nothing more powerful and richer than the power of Lord Jesus Christ. His love for all people, and people’s love in their hearts for Jesus, cannot be compared with any weapon or treasure and in a very unique way makes people powerful and rich– that’s how Christians changed the world. That’s why those evil guys have to be afraid of His power and justice, but much better is to know Him and to follow Him. This is what I am going to do.” Georgi, 39.
Visiting families of prisoners
At Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland we care about families of prisoners. Our two Family Workers. Tracie and Sandra, are committed to making regular visits. Last year 557 family visits were conducted across Northern Ireland offering ongoing support to 287 families, including 83 new families. This is a vital part of our ministry. As one mum said 'The relationship I have with my family worker has been crucial to getting me through this awful time. My family member in prison is supported by PF staff and that's helped us stay connected as a family.'
A new week
16 Mar '20
Who could have imagined how fast our best made plans could lie in ruins? Just when the year was gaining momentum, suddenly our plans are in tatters!
We are privileged to be children of the King and he says to us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you.” Deuteronomy 31:6. Furthermore, he recommends, “Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
I am praying for you and our ministries across Europe and Central Asia - for all the decisions that need to be made and the prisoners, their families, and victims who are once again more alone than ever. I am praying that when this is over we will return stronger and more focussed than ever, towards fulfilling the vision God has laid on our hearts.
Stay strong and courageous.
Many blessings
Hugh
Corona & Prison
9 Mar '20
In Italy at least six inmates died and at least 50 others escaped from an Italian prison in the southern region of Pugilia. Overall there was extensive rioting in 27 prisons across the country after visitation rights were restricted due to the rapid spread of coronavirus.
The Prisoners Journey - Quote from inmate in BULGARIA
“If I only knew this story and who Jesus is ten years ago, who knows, my life could be a different one. Maybe I would follow His orders but not the gang’s orders. Now after this journey am heading to the journey of my life, but not alone anymore and not so stupidly anymore, because He opened my eyes for the truth. I will walk with Christ forever – now and in the coming age.” – Ivan, 25.
From 17 - 22 Feb, we completed an onsite assessment with PF Italy. Here we see Dave and Marcella signing the agreement to being in January 2021. This is a very exciting step for us all!
Read Jorge Silvas (TPJ Program Coordinator for Portugal) article, "UNLESS GOD BUILDS THE HOUSE, WE’RE ONLY MAKING A SHACK".
TPJ in Portugal
From 3 - 6 Feb, Hugh completed the TPJ annual review for Portugal. Since the program began, some 283 prisoners have graduated through the program.
Christmas Hope - Fathers get to read their children a story for Christmas. Watch this short 1 minute video.
Angel Tree in ALBANIA
The Angel Tree program in the prison of Korca was an, unexpected success. Church members had prepared Christmas gifts for all the invited children, and Berti our chaplain had brought them beforehand to the prison. After they were controlled, he wrapped them all again as proper presents! The next day the children came for the Angel Tree celebration. Berti: “such an atmosphere I have never experienced before in prison. Parents and their children had a wonderful time and greatly enjoyed being together. I saw Gods presence today”.
PF Belarus: On January 11th the held the Christmas Angel Tree program in Gomel Women's Prison for mothers with children born in prison.
The program includes a theatrical performance of the "Princess and the pigs", along with gifts for the children. These included sweets, fruits, bicycles, hygiene, etc. to over thirty children.
CEO and President, Andrew Corley, explains how the PFI mission and vision was clarified in 2019.
Vision
To break the cycle of crime & restore lives, worldwide, through Jesus's love
Mission
To transform the lives of prisoners, their families, & victims through a global network of ministry partners
We can enter 2020 giving thanks to God and with the faith and perspective that God is for us, with us, and within us by His Spirit, and that we are going to do and experience many wonderful things. Before us lies a faith-filled future.
(Andy Corley, CEO & President of PFI)