Ministering to prisoners is more than Bible studies and revivals. It’s about changing and saving lives through God’s grace.
“Those in prison are the most forgotten people in our society and the church has neglected them,” said Fran Schnarre, director of educational ministries at the Missouri School of Religion.
“Of all the places where we need to be working, it’s the prisons and ex-offenders. That’s part of what Christ called us to do: feed the hungry, cloth the naked and be with the prisoners.”
The 3rd annual “Opening Gates, Opening Hearts: Faithful responses to offender reentry” will call faith-based groups and individuals from all over the state to get the latest on how they can play a vital part in bridging the gap from prison to society for Missouri’s ex-offenders.
The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 in Jefferson City, and is sponsored by the Missouri School of Religion along with many other religious and faith-based organizations located in mid-Missouri.
The conference will be held at First Christian Church, 327 E. Capitol Avenue. Registration is $25 prior to August 22 and $35 after that. Registration includes lunch, a registration packet and a CD from Koinonia House Ministries.
Schnarre said the conference has been blessed to get bigger each year. This year, they’re expecting to draw a crowd of between 120 to 150 people, she said. It will be a great networking opportunity for churches looking to develop an effective post-prison ministry.
“We will offer information for those who wish to offer reentry ministries in their church or community,” Schnarre said.
“We will also offer workshops on things the church can do for those who just came out of prison and for their children and families.”
Workshops will range from topics on family support to Biblical discipleship to mentoring for ex-offenders. Staff from the Department of Corrections will be on hand to answer questions about its reentry initiative and will give tips on how to navigate through the system.
Mannie Mills, executive director of Koinonia House National Ministries, will deliver the keynote address. Mills founded Koinonia House in 1999 to assist churches in their ability to embrace Christians coming out of prison. Nick Robbins and Dan Hanneken, both ex-offenders, will also share their own stories of success.
Schnarre stressed the need for all churches to become active in helping ex-offenders transition back to the church, workplace and society through Biblical and whole life discipleship.
“The people in prison are God’s children too,” she said “Sometimes, we act like they are outside of God’s grace and love and that’s not true.”
Other sponsors for the Opening Gates, Opening Hearts conference include the Correctional Ministry Committee of the Randolph County Ministerial Alliance, Christian Fellowship Church, Missouri Union Presbytery and the Social Concerns Office/Prison Ministry of the Diocese of Jefferson City.