Prison Ministry

"I was in prison, and you came to me." - Matthew 25: 36

The mission of the Christian Fellowship Program is to develop a one-on-one relationship between a prison inmate and a Christian Volunteer. The objective is to meet the needs of the whole man through an emphasis on the inmate's better understanding of himself in the light of Christ's love.

Inmates are led to apply the Scriptures in a practical way in order to meet specific needs in their life experiences. Special emphasis on developing positive value systems and the worth of the individual as a child of God is fostered to the end that old attitudes and values are rethought and reshaped. The volunteer serves as a role model and mentor in the connection.

The one-on-one mentor program has grown to involve over 150 men and women meeting an equal number of inmates at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Central Unit, Sugar Land (30 minutes from Ascension).

Since 1981, the program has served several thousand inmates. The overall percentage of inmates in Texas who re-offend and return to prison is about 75%, but the percentage of one-on-one "graduate" inmates who return to prison is about 15%! With an annual taxpayer cost of $16,000 per inmate, the program, which costs taxpayers nothing, has saved Texas taxpayers over $200 million since its inception!

There is an ongoing need to recruit new volunteers for this ministry -- there is a waiting list of inmates who wish to participate, but lack an available partner. The ministry is not a talking ministry, but a doing ministry. If you feel called to share your life and God's love in this worthwhile program by giving 2 to 2 1/2 hours weekly on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, please contact the Parish office.

To learn more about opportunities to make a difference go to the following web sites.

Angel Tree Ministry

Texas Prison Ministry

E-Mail us at the Parish Office or call us at (713) 781-1330 for more details.