Mission Statement
The mission of HPPC's Prison Ministry is to join members of our congregation who, motivated by their love for the Lord Jesus Christ and in obedience to His word, will provide a God-directed message of hope and life-changing experiences to offenders, ex-offenders, victims and all of their families. We want to encourage all of them to become obedient followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that they will be productive and contributing members of our community.
HPPC's Prison Ministry began in 1998. Today the team consists of more than a dozen members and has been joined by other churches in going into jails and prisons in the metroplex area and ministering to the needs of newly released inmates.
Ongoing Activities
- Weekly in-jail classes for men (Hutchins State Jail) and women (Dawson State Jail), including finances, writing/literacy, life skills, pre-release classes, and bible studies.
- Voices of Hope books on tape program – in which men and women offenders read children’s books into audiotapes for their children. The tapes and books are mailed to the children’s caretakers, strengthening the bond between parent and child.
- Prison Fellowship Angel Tree/Sky Ranch Camp – Christmas gifts to prisoners’ families and summer camp for their children.
- Aftercare – Volunteers offer spiritual, emotional and practical support for releasees and mentor newly released inmates in groups or one-on-one.
- Warriors for Christ/Smokey John’s - Weekly bible study/dinner/fellowship for releasees and their families.
- Bible presentations to releasees who actively participate in aftercare activities.
- Partnership with residential facilities for releasees, allowing continuation of mentoring relationships.
- Church Prison Coalition/Dallas Leadership Foundation – Expands and streamlines aftercare services for releasees. Network of churches participating in prison ministry.
Future Plans
- Additional bible studies and seminars
- Christian life skills classes for inmates and releasees
- Correspondence/”pen pal” program for inmates
- Extended mentoring program, including weekly support groups for releasees
- Support group for families of inmates
- Aftercare literacy program
- Aftercare bible studies
- Dental network to provide assistance for recently released ex-offenders
- Employment network to assist with jobs for newly released inmates
The HPPC Prison Ministry partners with Dallas Leadership Foundation/Church Prison Collaborative, working closely to recruit volunteers for in-jail classes and for networking assistance for the various needs of releasees.
To learn more about DLF/CPC, visit www.dlftx.org.
For more information about the HPPC Prison Ministry, contact Dale Truitt (214-373-4030) or John Pickens (214-363-4956) or the Urban Transformation office (214-525-4264) or pam.huntress@hppc.org.
