Christian Books - Prison Ministry
"A beautiful testimony of how our shared-life in God is renewed through story. It shows the reconciling power of God's love in our openness and vulnerability - the way to Peace. If you want to see who we are created to be for one another, read this book. It is a wake-up call." "
Sr. Helen Prejean
Author of DEAD MAN WALKING
1. Doing Time With God - Bill Dyer
After the author was shot in a robbery at an ATM, he never dreamed that God would heal his anger and hatred and turn it into compassion for prisoners and other crime victims. This led Dyer to visit prisons with other victims of violence to share their experiences with inmates. When prisoners read this restorative justice book they are touched by stories of men and women just like them, and experience God's healing, comforting, and guiding presence.
Rave Reviews For Doing Time With God
"I bought this for a friend who is currently incarcerated and he just informed TODAY that his cell mate read it within 2 days and told him (my friend) that it was one of the BEST BOOKS he'd read in a LONG TIME."
- Amazon Customer
"This challenges us in remembering God's awesome power in finding the lost, healing the sick, and turning people's lives around. Read this compelling book and be inspired by what is being done to transform lives and restore people to productive places in society."
- Lynn Huntley, Former Civil Rights Attorney, US Dept. of Justice
The presence of a loving, nurturing, and persistent God weaves its way through each page-turning account of how lives are changed by Faith. I highly recommend this book."
- Joseph Pryor, Assistant Warden; Chief Chaplain, Federal Bureau of Prisons (retired)
"As a victim of domestic violence, a mother whose son has spent time behind bars, and someone whose best-friend/step-sister was violently murdered, my life-mission is to reduce crime. Healing is a vital part of that process. I love these stories for how they affirm God’s healing power that perpetrators and I experience together, when I share my story in prisons."
- Katherine Burns, Director of a Re-entry Center For Ex-offenders
2. Prison Ministry: Understanding Prison Culture Inside and Out - Lennie Spitale
Lennie Spitale is definitely qualified to write a book on prison ministry, as he served time in prison for armed robbery. As a result, Spitale’s knowledge and experience of prison culture plays an intricate part in how this book is written. A few years after accepting Christ, Spitale started a prison ministry in jail, where he led a Bible study and discussion every week. Anyone who is currently involved or interested in prison ministry will be able to glean some important information from Spitale’s twenty years of experience serving those who are incarcerated.
3. Ministry with Prisoners & Families: The Way Forward - W. Wilson Goode Sr. (Editor), Charles E. Lewis Jr. (Editor), Harold Dean Trulear (Editor)
This resource serves as a great guide to prison ministry because it goes far beyond traditional ministry information about Bible studies and worship. Although these are extremely important, it is also helpful to learn about ministries that not only address prisoners, but also prison reform, re-entry, and family members who have incarcerated loved ones. These topics are addressed very well by all who contributed to this book, including pastors, ministers, scholars, and people who were formerly incarcerated.
4. Inside the Fence: A Handbook for Those in Prison Ministry - David M. Schilder
For ministering behind bars, this belongs with the best christian books. Prison ministry consists of many aspects and this book covers the most important ones – the rewards and challenges that one can expect when entering prisons to minister to those behind bars. Father Schilder shines light on the kind of person one must be (at least in part) to deal with the demands that come with serving Christ in prison. One of the best things about this book is that it provides great tips on how to prepare for ministering to inmates in jail or prison settings.
5. Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way - Gary Chapman
New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages®, Dr. Gary Chapman shares a formula for dealing with one’s anger so that it doesn’t lead to destructive behavior with negative consequences. Since many inmates have not learned how to manage their anger in a healthy way, this is a great resource for prison ministers to use in conversations and group discussions that easily relate to many teachings of Jesus. It could even be included as part of some catholic prison ministry resources.
6. The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia's Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail – Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan
This book is about Mary Clarke, a middle aged women who voluntarily moved into a jail cell with inmates in one of Mexico’s most notorious jails. This occurred when she left her comfortable suburban life in Beverly Hills, CA to follow a spiritual call to care for prisoners. Nearly thirty years later, Mary is still living in that same cell providing spiritual counseling to women behind bars. This is one of the most memorable christian books, prison ministry related because of the power of God's call to a woman who couldn't say "no."
Christian Books - Prison Ministry
7. Kairos Prison Ministry: Salvation Through Jesus – Ken Dawson
This touching book was written by Ken Dawson. In it Dawson shares his experience being a part of the Kairos Prison Ministry. In Kairos, thirty volunteers enter a prison and spend time with inmates over a long weekend, during which time they fellowship in worship services and study groups. In addition, Kairos volunteers eat homemade meals and sing and pray with one another. In this, truly one of the best books on prison ministry, Dawson tells several stories, including how prisoners helped him through the mourning process after the loss of his son.
8. God Behind Bars: The Amazing Story of Prison Fellowship - John Perry and Charles Colson
After spending several months in prison after the Watergate scandal, Chuck Colson was released and never wanted to return to prison. However, God came calling and Colson did return to share God’s love in one of the darkest environments around. This book tells the story of Prison Fellowship, the ministry Colson started over thirty years ago and which today is known around the world.
9. Doing HIS Time: Meditations and Prayers for Men and Women in Prison - James C. Vogelzang and Lynn Vanderzalm
This is a book that includes Christian meditations and study guides for inmates that chaplains and prison ministers can use when interacting with men and women behind bars who are in search of hope and inspiration through Jesus Christ.
10. Prison Ministry Training Basic Training Part 2: Volunteer Recruiting, Training and Oversight (Volume 2) - Gregory E. Von Tobel
This is one of those excellent books for prison ministry because it is the ideal resource for anyone who would like to start their own prison ministry from scratch. Not only does it cover steps to get started, it also provides great information on growing a prison ministry through recruiting a group of volunteers and training them to become an effective team that works well together in making God’s presence known in prisons.
Check Out More Of The Best Books On Prison Ministry
Doing Time With God Is One Of The Best Prison Ministry Books Because It Opens Inmate Hearts, Touches Their Soul, And Renews Their Mind
While reading this book, you may experience these things happening in yourself. Discussion questions and an afterword by the author invite you to reflect on your own journey, discover new meaning, and expand this movement of Peace in your life.
"This book belongs in the Wow category"
"As I read this book I felt the Holy Spirit in it and in me. I cried, I laughed, and I let God change me. The book is honest, upfront, REAL, and filled with God’s love."
"Doing Time with God is packed full of courage, wisdom, and inspiration. I recommend this book to anyone who has lived the valleys and peaks of life; folks who are struggling with forgiveness, for those who are dealing with anger or loss. This book will give insight into what true unconditional love is like."
Doing Time With God Is One Of Those One-Of-A-Kind Christian Books. Prison Ministry Can Look A Lot Of Different Ways, But A Meaningful Story For Inmates Always Has Its Place When It Shows That Healing Is The Doorway To Freedom In The Midst Of Prison