From upheaval to Good News: Reflecting on over 25 years of prison ministry

Charles A. Ness, PerkiomenvilleIn 1927 the state of Pennsylvania bought nearly 2000 acres of land in Skippack Township to build a prison. This was an unwelcome upheaval for these farm families especially the 15 Mennonite families that lived nearby and the Skippack area churches they attended. The prison, known today as the State Correctional Institution at Graterford, is a maximum security facility housing about 3400 men.There was minimal involvement by the area churches with the prison until 1974 when the Lord opened a door of ministry for Mennonite pastor, Glenn Alderfer to lead a Monday afternoon Bible study class. I joined Glenn in 1976 and we continue to give leadership to this class of 8-15 men that now meets on Thursday afternoon. This ministry at Graterford was a motivating factor in the formation of Liberty Ministries in 1980.In the summer of 2008, a new ministry for men dealing with addictions called Celebrate Recovery Inside was started at Graterford. Mike Saylor, Curt and Eva Kratz and Steve and Deb Poloway oversee this ministry. At the conclusion of the first six month class, 40 men signed up for the new class.Eva Kratz describes what happened, “We can only take 20 at one time so 20 men could not come out. They wrote letters asking us to start another class for them. We acted on the matter to see if the Lord would open the door at this time when funds are being withheld from prison programs and classes cut. He did and we have another class that meets on Friday afternoon.“Six men from the first class in 2008 are leading the two 2009 classes. They each take a turn leading out and are doing an excellent job of teaching and relating to the men with experiences on how the Lord worked in their life through the Celebrate Recovery Bible Studies.“When asked why they come to our classes, many tell us they come to learn another way to live. Their old way did not work for them and they do not know a better way. ‘I want to learn a way that works!’ We point them to Christ for His salvation, healing and forgiveness, and teach them who we are ‘In Christ.’“God has missionaries behind the walls that are bringing others to Christ. One man told another inmate, ‘I want what you have! I watched your walk and talk, and I saw you changed. I want that.’“A week later he was all excited as he said, ‘I got it, I don’t know what you call it, but I got it’ and he was full of joy.“Another said, ‘I was here 20 years and only had one visit. I used to receive letters from my foster family about all the wonderful trips they took and the exciting things they do, but no one ever had time to visit me so I stopped writing. You coming in gives me hope that someone cares about me.’“When we asked if anyone had something they wanted to share that happened this past week, one young man said, ‘I was going to take my life, but I came to your Bible Studies and gave my life to Jesus instead.’”Another program involving the Wellspring Church of Skippack is the Restorative Justice Group. A team of persons led by Pastor Michael Meneses meets with this group of men who work at education and application of the principles of healing and restoration not just punishment for offenders.While the churches in the Skippack area were adversely affected 80 years ago when the prison came into the community, today the gospel of Jesus Christ is making a difference in the lives of men incarcerated there. And the church perhaps most impacted by the upheaval, Wellspring Church (formerly Upper Skippack) has had a leading part in this ministry.The prison officials and the chaplain recognize this impact. Liberty Ministries is one of the few organizations granted access to the prison for religious services. As long time volunteers, both Glenn and I have been recognized by the prison and the state as volunteer of the year. To God be the glory for the great things he has done!